Pulwama, Jun 24: Residents of the twin villages of Sirnoo and Babgund in south Kashmir’s Pulwama district have raised serious concerns about the quality of drinking water supplied through a borewell-fed overhead water tank, alleging that the water is unfit for human consumption and poses a potential threat to public health.
Residents said the water supplied to households has an unusual colour and taste, making it unsuitable for drinking as well as other domestic purposes. They said the deteriorating quality of the water has become a matter of growing concern, particularly among families with children, elderly persons and those suffering from various ailments.
“The water supplied through the overhead tank appears contaminated. Its colour and taste are abnormal, and people are worried about the health implications of consuming it,” said Mudasir Ahmad, a resident.
Ahmad alleged that water from a pit was being supplied to the overhead tank, raising questions about the quality and safety of the drinking water being distributed to households.
Another resident said access to safe drinking water was a basic necessity and urged the authorities to ensure that the supply met prescribed quality standards.
Residents expressed apprehension that prolonged consumption of contaminated or untreated water could lead to water-borne diseases and other health complications.
“The threat of water-borne diseases looms large over the area,” the residents said, adding that the issue warranted immediate intervention to safeguard public health.
They have called for a comprehensive assessment of the water source and the overhead storage tank to ascertain whether the water is fit for human consumption. The residents also demanded regular water quality monitoring, installation of an effective filtration system, periodic cleaning of the overhead tank and timely maintenance of the borewell infrastructure to prevent contamination.
The residents said immediate corrective measures were needed to restore public confidence in the drinking water supply system and ensure uninterrupted access to clean and potable water.
“We are only asking for safe drinking water for our families. The authorities should act before the situation worsens,” they said.
Officials of the Jal Shakti Department said they would look into the issue.
