Drinking Water Contamination Crisis in Indore

Health Crisis Triggered by Water Contamination

Drinking Water Contamination Crisis in Indore: The recent drinking water contamination incident in Indore exposed serious gaps in urban wastewater management in Indian cities. Mixing of sewage with potable water pipelines led to the spread of waterborne diseases and triggered a localised public health emergency. Such incidents underline how infrastructure failure can directly translate into health crises.

Indore, despite being recognised for cleanliness drives, faced systemic issues related to underground pipelines and wastewater handling. The episode demonstrates that sanitation rankings alone cannot substitute robust water safety systems.

Static GK fact: Safe drinking water is recognised as part of the Right to Life under Article 21 of the Indian Constitution through judicial interpretation.

Urban Wastewater Management in India

India’s cities generate massive volumes of wastewater every day. As per estimates by NITI Aayog, urban areas generated around 72,368 Million Litres per Day (MLD) of wastewater during 2020–21. Alarmingly, nearly 72% of this wastewater remains untreated and is discharged into rivers, lakes, or groundwater.

Untreated wastewater contaminates surface and sub-surface water sources used for drinking. This increases the risk of diseases such as cholera, diarrhoea, dysentery, hepatitis A, typhoid, and polio, particularly in densely populated urban settlements.

Static GK Tip: India follows Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) norms for effluent discharge into water bodies.

Existing Wastewater Treatment Systems

Urban India uses both on-site and off-site wastewater treatment systems. On-site systems store wastewater in pits or septic tanks near toilets, with sludge removed periodically. These systems are common in peri-urban and informal settlements.

Off-site systems rely on underground sewer networks transporting sewage to Sewage Treatment Plants (STPs). However, incomplete sewer connectivity and overloaded STPs often lead to leakage, overflow, and cross-contamination with drinking water pipelines.

Static GK fact: STPs primarily use primary, secondary, and tertiary treatment processes to remove solids, organic matter, and pathogens.

Structural Challenges in Urban Wastewater Management

Institutional fragmentation is a major hurdle. Multiple government departments operate in silos, while Urban Local Bodies (ULBs) lack technical and financial capacity. This results in poor planning and weak accountability.

Aging infrastructure further aggravates the problem. Old pipelines, lack of regular maintenance, and limited urban land for new treatment facilities increase the probability of sewage leaks. Financial stress due to high non-revenue water, unrealistic tariffs, and low recovery rates restrict investments in upgrades.

Technological gaps also persist, including absence of affordable treatment technologies and inadequate mapping of sewage and water supply networks.

Pathways for Sustainable Solutions

Decentralised wastewater treatment systems can significantly reduce risks by treating sewage near its source. This approach lowers pipeline load and minimises chances of cross-contamination.

Urban and industrial waste reforms are essential. Enforcing Zero Liquid Discharge (ZLD) norms, regulating landfills, and penalising illegal discharges can protect water sources.

Modern monitoring mechanisms should integrate water quality data with health surveillance platforms such as Health Management Information System to enable early detection of outbreaks.

Nature-based solutions like constructed wetlands, waste stabilisation ponds, green roofs, and vermifiltration offer cost-effective and environmentally sustainable alternatives.

Static GK Tip: Nature-based solutions also contribute to urban climate resilience by improving groundwater recharge.

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Drinking Water Contamination Crisis in Indore: