Contaminated water supply issue remains unresolved in Bhiwani, councillor threatens stir

Repeated complaints over contaminated water supply by area residents have led to a protest warning by councillor Govind Ram Sharma, who has announced that he would begin an indefinite hunger strike atop the Ghanta Ghar water tank from June 15 if immediate action was not taken to improve water quality and supply in localities of Bhiwani.

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Residents alleged that the problem stemmed from an uncovered valve on a water supply line near Dinod Gate, resulting in dirty water contaminating public drinking water supply. “Despite repeated complaints to the Public Health and Engineering Department, the problem has not been resolved,” Sharma said. “People are forced to consume dirty water during summers.”

Accusing the authorities of negligence, he said unclean water could lead to outbreak of several diseases. The councillor had submitted multiple written complaints to the district administration, including Deputy Commissioner Mahavir Kaushik, during a grievance redressal camp held recently. Sharma said only three of the six water supply motors at the town’s main water treatment plant were currently functional.

One of the three working motors — a 150 HP unit — was not providing sufficient pressure, and had not been used for the last three months, he said, He said three other motors had reportedly been non-operational for six months — severely affecting water supply, particularly in Lohar and Halu Bazaar areas. He said the booster station at Bada Chowk — built to improve supply to markets — often ran dry or unused during peak supply hours. As a result, many streets at the tail end of the pipeline remained without adequate water supply.