A dizzy mix of drinking and drainage water

Residents of Dilshad Nagar Colony in Mehdipatnam are living in fear for the past couple of days. This stems not from any anti-social elements or violence but the drinking water that is flowing into the household taps in the locality. According to Zaki Ahmed, who has been residing in the area for decades together, went hammer and tongs against the HMWS&SB, which supplies the water.

‘It is shocking that the drinking water is getting contaminated by drainage water which is making us fall sick. The children are having sensations of nausea the moment they consume the water, even after they have been boiled,’ he says.

This is true because on a visit to the area one came across water that had a stinking odour in the sumps and overhead tanks. Farzana, another resident, pointing out that numerous verbal representations had little impact on the authorities, ‘forcing us to buy water bottles and packaged cans.’

‘The condition is bad and becomes more distinct when washing clothes and utensils when the tap has to be running continuously. We hope the problems are addressed sooner than later,’ says S B Mirza, another from the locality. Attempts to contact the local Board officials on Sunday proved futile.