‘Sand, algae in supply, water stinks’

LUCKNOW: The monsoon rain has solved water shortage woes in most parts of the city due to increased water level in Gomti but the storm water overflow in drains and sewer lines is polluting water supply through leakages in pipeline. The rains also loosen soil which is getting into the pipelines, leading to sand mixed supply from taps.
“We have been receiving dirty supply since last week. It is dirty brown, has traces of algae and stinks real bad. We repeatedly complain to Jal Sansthan but they don’t take our complaints seriously. They say that supply is often contaminated during rains due to overflow of sludge and its mixing with supply water,” said Anurag Singh of Tedhipulia.

Locals in Ganeshganj also complain of dirty supply since a month. Families which don’t have a water purifier at home are falling ill. “My neighbour’s family members, especially kids, have been repeatedly complaining of stomach infection since one month,” said Aman Khare of the area.

Localities which are dependent on tube wells also complain of sand and algae mixed supply.

“We are forced to use sand mixed water as we don’t have another option. The boring is also yielding sand mixed supply. Sometimes, it stinks so bad that it’s difficult to even store it,” said Shruti Mishra of sector H, Aliganj.

Residents of Dubagga, Daliganj, Tedhipulia, Aishbagh, Azad Nagar, Hind Nagar complained about poor pressure.

“Supply is only in morning mostly. If we forget to fill buckets in early morning, we face crisis as pressure lowers after 9am,” said Mamta Dayal of Dubagga. Locals often call private water tankers as the supply is not sufficient.

When questioned, a Jal Sansthan official said, “The problem of dirty water supply increases in monsoon as drains and sewer lines overflow. The dirt gets inside the pipe from leakages in the pipeline and contaminates water. Tube well fed areas are also prone to getting sand particles in supply because soil becomes loose.” (By Pranchal Srivastava & Aparnika Srivastava)