Phulwarisharif Water Crisis: The Bihar government’s flagship Har Ghar Jal Yojana, meant to ensure safe drinking water in every household, has turned into a public health concern in Phulwarisharif, where contaminated water is reaching thousands of homes due to alleged negligence by the Public Health Engineering Department (PHED).

Residents across areas, including Police Colony, Paharpur, Harnichak, Balmichak, Kasai Tola, Kutchery Mohalla, Naya Tola, and Sanga,t complain that although they regularly pay water bills, the supplied water is foul-smelling, visibly dirty, and sometimes even contains insects. Nearly 30,000 people in the urban region are reportedly affected.

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In many locations, the water supply pipelines are dilapidated and submerged in open drains, allowing sewage and filthy drain water to mix with drinking water. Along Phulwarisharif Main Road, pipelines reportedly pass directly through a major drain, from where polluted water leaks into household connections.

With no immediate solution from authorities, residents are being forced to rely on hand pumps or fetch water from households that have arranged private supplies. Several localities, including Kutchery Mohalla, Kasab Toli, and Naya Tola, are witnessing a rise in diarrhoea cases, a trend that has recurred in previous years.

Health experts warn of serious consequences if the situation is not addressed urgently. Paediatrician Dr NP Deepak said contaminated water often contains bacteria, viruses, parasites, and harmful chemicals, which can cause diarrhoea, cholera, typhoid, jaundice, and intestinal worm infections. He added that diarrhoea remains a major cause of death among children under five and that repeated infections severely weaken nutritional absorption.

Despite repeated complaints, residents allege that the PHED has failed to take concrete action. Many water storage tanks in the densely populated area have not been cleaned for years, and pipeline leaks remain unrepaired.

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Residents voiced strong concern over the worsening crisis. “When the supply pipe itself lies in the drain, how can we expect clean water?” asked Yasir, while Mohammad Chand described drinking the supplied water as “playing with our health.” Others said the water is so polluted that it is “disgusting even to look at,” yet poor families have no option but to consume it.

Experts and residents are demanding regular water testing, urgent pipeline repairs, and systematic cleaning and purification of water tanks to prevent a looming health disaster.