Toxic Water In Delhi Taps: TDS Hits Dangerous 968; Sewer Mix Causing Kidney And Stomach Ailments

The supply of toxic drinking water is not limited to Indore, Madhya Pradesh; even residents of the National Capital are deprived of access to clean and healthy drinking water. The situation is so severe that in many areas of Delhi, the Total Dissolved Solids (TDS) level in drinking water has reached a dangerous 968. Consuming this water is causing stomach, kidney, and hair-related ailments among the population.

Total Dependence On Tankers And Bottled Water 

Given the poor quality of water, residents of the capital are increasingly relying on Reverse Osmosis (RO) machines and bottled water. Consequently, the bottled water business is thriving in every neighborhood. Furthermore, even years after independence, Delhi Jal Board (DJB) piped water has not yet reached many areas of Delhi. In several localities, pipelines have been laid, but the water supply is irregular. In such places, people are still entirely dependent on tankers, borewells, and bottled water.

TDS Found To Be 561, Exceeding Standards

Under the "Every Drop Clean, Every Sip Clean" campaign, reporters tested water at approximately 50 locations, finding dangerous contamination levels in several spots. Even major colonies like Rohini were not unaffected. At Yadav Chowk in Bhalswa Dairy (Outer Delhi), the water TDS was 968, while in Rohini Sector-13, it ranged from 580 to 891. Similarly, tests in Kalkaji, South Delhi, revealed a TDS level of 561, which is higher than the acceptable standard.

Damaged Pipelines

Leading to Contamination The investigation revealed that TDS levels were higher than the prescribed standards in residential areas of Outer Delhi where DJB water supply lines have frequent leakage problems. In colonies within areas like Bhalswa Dairy, Kirari, Bawana, and Narela—which have a population of over 25 lakh—TDS levels were found to range between 200 and 900. Due to the supply of dirty and foul-smelling water, a large number of people have stopped using the piped water and are receiving water via tankers. Residents in areas with dirty water state that the pipelines are damaged, allowing sewer lines to mix with the water supply.

Residents Suffering From Stomach Aches And Vomiting

In Maujpur village, East Delhi, the water TDS was measured at 965. Most people here have installed borewells because the Jal Board water is often foul-smelling and contaminated. However, the borewell water they are forced to use contains various chemicals. Consuming this water is leading to infections, causing symptoms like stomach aches and vomiting among the residents.

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Complaints Of Contaminated Water Supply

Regular water supply is non-existent in large parts of Outer Delhi, including Kirari, Narela, and the Bhalswa Dairy area. Residents are dependent on Jal Board tankers. The RWA Secretary of Sanjay Colony, Narela, mentioned that water is supplied only once every five or six days. People are either buying water to drink or making do with groundwater. In Nangloi, Sultanpuri, and Kirari, there are complaints of black and yellow contaminated water coming from the taps.

Jal Board Pipelines Yet To Reach Many Areas

Jal Board pipelines have not reached several areas of South Delhi to this day. Residents of Shaheen Bagh, Deoli, parts of Sangam Vihar, Jaitpur, Madanpur Khadar, and Khadda Colony either buy drinking water or rely on tankers. Even in areas where piped water is supplied, people are unaware of its quality.

When the team measured the TDS in Kalkaji on Tuesday, it was found to be 561, which is above the standard. According to residents, the water looks clean, so it is often used for drinking. In Sohni Apartments, Mehrauli Ward No. 2, there is a Jal Board line with morning and evening supply, but due to sewer overflows or clogged drains in the lanes, one never knows when contaminated water might mix in.

Forced To Drink Dangerous RO Water Delhi

Jal Board water often arrives contaminated, compelling people to drink water from RO machines or campers. Crucially, the RO water that people believe to be pure is actually dangerous for their health. During TDS testing, when the team took samples of RO water from some homes, the TDS levels were found to be as low as 60-70. According to doctors, a TDS level below 100 means that all essential minerals in the water have been destroyed. Therefore, the low-TDS water people are consuming can be harmful. When the RO water of Shruti, a resident of IP Extension, was tested, the TDS was merely 57. She was unaware that low TDS could also be hazardous to health.

Dirty Water Supply Forces People To Buy RO Water

Most societies in IP Extension are considered posh. Although Jal Board water is supplied here, people are forced to install RO systems or buy RO water. Social worker and local resident Suresh Bindal stated that it is impossible to drink the water here without an RO; there isn't a single house without one.

The reason is the unpredictable supply of dirty water. While the TDS might be acceptable at times, the water is often dirty and smelly, leading to worm infestations in the water tanks, which then require cleaning. Yogendra Bansal, a resident of Niti Apartments, mentioned that sewer water frequently mixes with the supply water.

This poses a risk of disease. Since the incident in Indore, clean water has been supplied, but it remains to be seen how long this will last. In several areas of Mandawali adjacent to these societies, DJB water supply is stalled, forcing people to use borewell water, which has a TDS of over 650.

Frequent Supply Of Sewer-Mixed Water

In areas like Shakarpur and Laxmi Nagar in East Delhi, and Sitaram Bazar in Old Delhi, there is a frequent supply of foul-smelling, sewer-mixed water. Anita, a resident of Shakarpur U-Block, mentioned that foul-smelling water was supplied recently, causing a stench in the tanks of everyone in the colony.

As a result, the supplied water is used only for bathing or washing. Residents order water campers for drinking and cooking, which impacts their household budget. Meanwhile, a TDS of 240 was found at a location in Shakarpur. Resident Usha Sharma confirmed that contaminated water is often supplied to their homes.

Location And TDS

South Delhi

East Delhi

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Outer Delhi

Central Delhi-New Delhi

West Delhi

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