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Tap Water Woes: Only 33% Potable in Indore Rural Households
4 Jan
Summary
- Indore's rural water quality at 33% potable, far below acceptable levels.
- Zero potable water reported in five districts, while five others show 100%.
- Nearly 22% reported inadequate water quantity, suggesting under-reported safety issues.
A recent Functionality Assessment of Household Tap Connections 2024, conducted in September-October 2024, uncovered critical issues with potable water supply in Indore's rural areas. The survey found that only 33% of surveyed households received safe drinking water, a figure officials deemed alarmingly low. This contrasts sharply with other districts in the region, where five reported 100% potable water availability, while five others recorded zero.
The assessment also identified significant operational challenges. Approximately 23.4% of households did not receive regular tap water, and 36.7% lacked functional taps during the survey period. Furthermore, nearly 22% of respondents reported insufficient water quantity, raising concerns that water safety issues might be underreported or not easily detected by consumers.
Historical data from a 2016-17 investigation by the Madhya Pradesh Pollution Control Board indicated groundwater contamination across Indore, with total coliform levels exceeding safe limits in most sampled sources. Scientists confirmed this indicated faecal contamination, rendering the water unfit for consumption. These findings underscore a persistent problem of sewage ingress into groundwater, particularly in areas with older infrastructure.
