Hyderabad: Parched denizens get contaminated water

Hyderabad: Even as several colonies in the city are reeling under shortage of water during peak summer season, there are some areas where denizens were complaining about contaminated drinking water mixed with algae being supplied by the HMWS&SB.

Most of the complaints are being received from densely populated areas of Charminar constituency such as Hussaini Alam, Kala Patther, Pathergatti, Tadban, MustafaNagar, Koka ki Tatti and Fateh Darwaza. The irate residents are complaining that HMWS&SB is supplying them contaminated water through taps which is not at potable in the peak of summer. "For the last two weeks we have been getting water polluted with algae which is not potable. At a time when people are suffering from dehydration due to extreme heat wave being experienced in the city, the Water Board is supplying such contaminated water," rued Mohammed Shoeb, a resident of Hussaini Alam.

Some residents pointed out that the water being supplied by the HMWS&SB was neither drinkable nor could be used for domestic purposes. "Algae is clearly visible, forcing us to avoid storing even for other usage let alone for drinking purposes," said Asghar Hussain, a resident of Fateh Darwaza.

"Officials of Waterboard should resolve the issue as soon as possible to help people get pure water as people are suffering from heatwave," demanded Mohammed Ali from Tadban.

According to WHO, the freshwater algae may become hazardous to human health or livestock. Contact with affected water can cause skin irritation, mild respiratory effects and hay fever-like symptoms.

Explaining the issue, Khader Mohiuddin, the General Manager- (Div-I) HMWS&SB, said, "Presently we are drawing water from dead storage of Himayat Sagar as the water body has almost dried off due to insufficient rains this year. Pumping water from dead storage is leading to an increase in turbidity in water. The issue of morbidity in water takes another 10 to 15 days to rectify. One or two fresh inflows in Himayat Sagar will improve the situation and retain the water to secure level."

He further said that Mir Alam filter plant covers two constituencies Charminar and Bahadurpura. He said, "We are receiving similar complaints from Kalapather, Pathergatti and some tail-end areas of operation. Due to emergency pumping from the dead storage of Himayat Sagar, the impurities are getting mixed with water leading to increase of morbidity."

Quality Assurance Testing (QAT) teams are working on the ground and are observing the parameters of the water such as chlorine, turbidity and colour in order to purify it from any sort of morbidity before supply, , he further said.. They were even using 'activated carbon' and 'sodium hydrochloride' to reduce the murkiness and purify the raw water, explained the official.  

Freshwater algae may become hazardous to human health or livestock. Contact with affected water can cause skin irritation, mild respiratory effects and hay fever-like symptoms – World Health Organisation

Pumping water from dead storage is leading to an increase in turbidity in water. The issue of morbidity in water takes another 10 to 15 days to rectify. One or two fresh inflows in Himayat Sagar will improve the situation– HMWSSB OFFICIAL

AREAS AFFECTED

Most complaints from densely populated areas of Charminar constituency, such as Hussaini Alam, Kala Patther, Pathergatti, Tadban, MustafaNagar, Koka ki Tatti and Fateh Darwaza