Water is essential to survival and we have probably seen images of people queuing in long lines or walking for miles to fetch water for them and their families. The situation, however, is a lot different in a metropolitan like Delhi where the concentration of population is much greater compared to the available resources.?
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Now, a preliminary investigation of tap water samples collected randomly from 11 areas in the national capital has revealed that the water was not safe for drinking, a government source was quoted as saying by News Agency PTI.?
The samples did not meet the quality norms laid down by the Bureau of Indian Standard (BIS), a national body that frames quality standards for products and services.
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The parameters such as pH level, odour and acidity were much higher than the prescribed norms. The final report is expected in a month, the source added.
The samples, sent voluntarily by Delhi households, were tested by the BIS. The samples collected were from tap water supplied by both the Delhi Jal Board (DJB) and the New Delhi Municipal Corporation (NDMC).
To address this issue, Union Food and Consumer Affairs Minister Ram Vilas Paswan has called a meeting on October 3. Senior officials from the Delhi government, DJB, NDMC and the urban development ministry will be present.
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"BIS has tested samples of tap water randomly taken from 11 areas. A preliminary report prima facie showed that the tap water supplied by DJB and NDMC was not safe for drinking at all," the source said.
The samples did not meet the BIS quality standards in terms of parameters like pH level, odour and acidity. In some areas, the water did not meet any of the quality parameters, the source said.
The samples will be further investigated and the final report is expected to be released in a month, the source added.
Responding to Paswan, Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, who is also the chairman of DJB, had recently said the water utility will take corrective action if there are any shortcomings found.
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The first step to solving any problem is acknowledging that there is one. While a vast majority of people living in Delhi may be purchasing their drinking water, we should also not forget that there are thousands of underprivileged who literally depend on the tap water to quench their thirst.?
Not only are they at increasing risk of diseases but they also do not have much resources to avail treatments.
With PTI Inputs