An analysis conducted by Groundwater Survey & Development Agency (GSDA), Nagpur, revealed that as many as 13,630 samples of water out of a total of 51,817 tested from six districts of Nagpur division were found unfit for human consumption. The contaminated water included total dissolved solids, fluoride, nitrate, and iron components.
GSDA received in all 53,552 water samples collected by Gramsurakshaks of gram panchayats from April to July 2021. It made analysis of the samples under chemical campaign. GSDA has six laboratories and 24 sub-divisional labs in the division under monitoring and surveillance programme. It tested 51,817 samples in these labs and found 13,630 water samples unfit for human consumption.
Similarly, it tested 29,630 water samples under a bacteriological campaign collected during the same period and found that 1,872 samples were unfit for human beings as they were affected by chemical bacteria. The concerned gram panchayats alert villagers not to use chemically unfit water within 24 hours as it takes much time to get fit. In bacteriologically contaminated water, gram panchayat undertakes chlorination/treatment process for purifying water and again send the samples to GSDA for testing. Even though unfit samples are there in villages there are alternative drinking water sources like pipe water supply scheme are available. The government installs deflouridisation unit in flourid affected village for filtration.
This was revealed by Mangesh Chaudhari, Regional Deputy Director, GSDA, Nagpur, while talking to The Live Nagpur here on Friday. He said that gram panchayats take necessary precautions in the suffering villages while Block Development Officers look after monitoring. The machinery ensures that the people get potable water for consumption, he added.
To a question on the spread of water-born diseases in villages, Chaudhari replied that no such cases were reported in the division. It is worth mentioning here that out of 10,016 water samples tested under chemical campaign, as many as 5,141 samples were found unfit for human consumption in Nagpur district, which is more than 50 per cent. Under bacteriological campaign, out of 8, 489 water samples in the district only 574 samples were found unfit for use.
Dr Varsha Mane, Senior Geologist, and Ishadaya Ghodeswar, Assistant Geologist, were present during the discussion.