‘Our systems have become immune’

Kids in Krishna Nagar brush their teeth with mud-coloured water every day. Their mothers use the same water for cooking and everyone in the family drinks that water despite knowing the danger.

Kids in Krishna Nagar brush their teeth with mud-coloured water every day. Their mothers use the same water for cooking and everyone in the family drinks that water despite knowing the danger.

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“Over a period of time our system has become immune to this water. The tap water gives a foul smell but we are not worried. We are well aware of the health hazards but we don’t have any other option,” said RK Khanna, a senior citizen.

Residents said that the DJB doesn’t care any more and that they are tired of complaining.

“We have written to the DJB several times about our problems. Every day we read about contaminated tap water in newspapers. But the authorities have taken no action. DJB is one of the most useless agencies in my view. They charge us for poisonous water,” Khanna added.

The water supply has been contaminated as pipes have been laid very close to sewerage lines or open drains, which causes many serious water-borne diseases.

“The sewer lines are overflowing. What makes the situation worse is the fact that there are several breaches in the water pipeline,” said Radha Rathi, another resident.

“We accept that in some areas the water supply is contaminated. We are dealing with the problem,” said a senior DJB official.