Nurpur residents face health risks from water supply pipes in sewage

Inhabitants of areas under the ambit of Nurpur Municipal Council (MC) are living under a constant threat of waterborne diseases, as around 70 per cent of the water supply pipes are laid in the filthy street drains of the MC. The piped water, supplied by the Jal Shakti Department, serves all nine wards of the MC.

A visit to areas such as the main bazar, wards 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 and Lambi Gali reveals the alarming state of affairs, with most domestic water supply pipelines submerged in flowing or stagnant sewage within the street drains. This situation reflects not only the apathy of the authorities concerned but also the negligence of residents who have installed domestic water connections without ensuring their pipes are clear of the MC drains. Many of these consumers seem unaware of the risks of passing their water supply pipes through sewage-filled areas.

According to reports, the Jal Shakti Department has provided water connections from the main distributary supply lines; however, half-inch diameter pipelines have been laid through the civic body drains. In some areas, even two-inch diameter distributing pipelines are visible running through the MC drains. A small puncture in these pipes could lead to a potential outbreak of waterborne diseases, yet both domestic water consumers and authorities seem oblivious to the danger.

Residents of Ward 9, led by their Municipal Councillor Shivani Sharma, submitted a memorandum to the Jal Shakti Department on January 27, urging the removal of a main water supply line that passes through a filthy street drain from the Hanuman Temple to their locality. Despite the appeal, the department has yet to take action. Local social organisations, such as the Nurpur Sudhar Sabha and the Town Welfare Committee, have also raised concerns, asserting consumers are entitled to clean potable water and urging the department to resolve this longstanding problem.

This problem was previously highlighted in The Tribune in February 2021, prompting the department to lift water pipes from the street drains by placing iron rods beneath them. However, over time, most of the iron rods have been stolen by rag pickers, exacerbating the problem.

Nurpur Jal Shakti Division Executive Engineer Anand Baloria stated if a specific complaint arises about water pipes passing through filthy street drains, the department would instruct consumers to remove their private pipelines. If the problem is with the department’s own pipelines, the field staff would take steps to relocate them.