Death by contamination

The death of three individuals in Chennai, suspected to have occurred due to contaminated piped water, highlights the ongoing challenges of ensuring potable water in urban centres despite extensive infrastructure. The incident occurred in suburban Pallavaram, where drinking water supplied by the State agency led to hospitalizations for 34 others. This underscores the broader issue of urban water contamination across India.

Urban Water Contamination

• Problem of Contaminated Water in Cities: Cities like Chennai, Bengaluru, Kochi, and Noida have witnessed large-scale outbreaks of waterborne diseases due to contamination, primarily by E.coli, pointing to a systemic problem of unsafe drinking water.
• Inadequate Hygiene & Infrastructure Issues: The remarks from the Tamil Nadu Minister regarding hygiene were deemed insensitive, reflecting the larger problem of urban hygiene and strained water infrastructure. Water and drainage systems in growing cities are under immense pressure, contributing to contamination risks.
• Lack of Accountability: Despite the suspected contamination, laboratory test results from the local water samples in Chennai have not been made public, raising questions about transparency and the accountability of water supply agencies.

Challenges in Ensuring Safe Drinking Water

• Prevalence of Chemical Contaminants: Arsenic and fluoride contamination are widespread in groundwater across India, with affected districts in 25 and 27 states respectively, highlighting the broader challenge of ensuring clean water in rural and urban areas alike.
• Global Water Safety Crisis: According to the World Health Organization, 1.7 billion people worldwide consume water contaminated with faeces, contributing to an estimated one million deaths annually from waterborne diseases.
• UN Recognition of Water as a Human Right: The UN General Assembly has recognized access to clean water and sanitation as a fundamental human right, underscoring the global responsibility to ensure safe water access for all.

Government Initiatives and Future Actions

• Tamil Nadu Government's Commitment: Tamil Nadu has promised to increase per capita drinking water supply, reduce wastage, and improve water recycling as part of his 10-year vision for the state’s development.
• Challenges in Implementation: Despite these commitments, translating vision into action remains a significant challenge, as demonstrated by the continued contamination of urban water sources.
• Non-Negotiability of Clean Water Access: Addressing chemical pollution of groundwater and ensuring access to safe drinking water is non-negotiable for the state government in order to fulfill basic human rights and prevent health crises.

Practice Question

Q. Examine the challenges India faces in providing safe drinking water in urban centres. How can the state and central governments work together to address water contamination issues?