Huda’s drinking water tanks not cleaned in a year: RTI

GURGAON: The six underground tanks, which supply drinking water to major parts of Gurgaon, have not been cleaned up by Huda in the past one year, at least, revealed an RTI response.

Further, Huda officials seem clueless about when these tanks were last cleaned up. According to doctors, keeping public health in mind, the water tanks should be cleaned properly at least once in three months.

"Underground tank(s) are not cleaned. The cleaning of the tankers is in process...the tanks are expected to be cleaned up before March 2018. (However), the water is hygienically safe for drinking purpose," states the RTI response provided by Huda (a copy of which is with TOI).

While three of these tanks are located at the Sector 16 boosting station, the rest are at the Sector 51 station. Water extracted at the twin boosting stations is first stored at these six tanks. Subsequently, it goes to different overhead and underground tanks in various sectors for supply to individual households.

Earlier this year, in response to another RTI plea, Huda had admitted that the overhead and underground tanks in sectors 5, 12 and 18 were last cleaned up in 2013 while those in sectors 21, 22, 23 and 23A were cleaned in 2011.

"Gurgaonites are forced to consume water stored in unclean tanks even after paying regular bills and maintenance charges. These tanks have not been cleaned for the past many years. And the authorities still need time till March 2018 to clean them," said Aseem Takyar, who had filed the RTI application.

When asked, a Huda official passed on the responsibility to MCG. "Most of the sectors have been transferred to MCG. However, cleaning of a few tanks is on and will soon be completed. Also, we are regularly chlorinating the water," said the official requesting anonymity.

Residents expressed shock at the Huda's "lackadaisical" attitude and demanded immediate cleaning of the tanks. "Cases of typhoid and other waterborne diseases, especially among children and elderly, are on the rise. It is shocking to know that the tanks, which supply drinking water, have not been cleaned for a long time," said Sharat Yadav, a resident of Sector 46.