Replace old pipelines, treat water & penalise negligence

Better sewerage management needed

It has not been long since nature unleashed its fury in parts of Punjab, with over 2.5 lakh people gravely affected and 2.3 lakh acres of farmland destroyed and submerged due to overflowing rivers and heavy rainfall. Every day, more devastation occurs, taking a larger toll on every citizen of the state. Amidst this, the most alarming issue is the contamination of tap water with sewerage, which poses a significant danger of diseases and infections in the near future. This problem has persisted for quite some time, causing considerable trouble in daily life and presenting a serious health risk for the common people of Punjab. Additionally, the situation could have been much better if the drainage and sewerage systems had been managed more efficiently, allowing for better disposal of excess water. Some possible measures include organising regular clean-ups of the city’s drainage system, maintaining the sewerage network by fixing loose pipes, analysing soil stability to properly lay pipes and updating underground drainage blueprints as needed. Furthermore, plastic waste and other refuse should be properly disposed of in designated dump yards or recycled, but at all costs, gutters should not be clogged. Lastly, residents should be encouraged to avoid littering on streets and roads and to recycle and reuse all plastic and biodegradable waste regularly.

Lakshit Jindal

Replace old water pipelines

In Punjab, along with Jalandhar, a number of cities come under the category of “Smart City.” For Smart Cities throughout the country, additional funds are released for various development projects. The Mayor and the staff personnel frame estimates for various projects under the Smart City Project and expedite funds as per the schemes framed.The underground water pipes were laid more than five decades ago in various colonies and areas of the city. Similarly, sewerage pipes have also been laid in the opposite direction to the water pipes. Sometimes, during reconstruction or repair, or while joining new connections with the water or sewer pipes or sewer chambers, connections are added with the sanctioned approval of competent authorities as per the demand of the consumer. Sometimes, drinking water mixes with the contaminated water of sewerage in cases where the drinking water pipe of the consumer passes through his sewer chamber or public sewerage chambers. The Municipal Corporations should frame a new estimate so that all the old drinking water pipelines—more than five decades old—are replaced with new water pipelines. Similarly, an estimate should be framed for the repair of roads that will be damaged during the laying of new water pipelines. The original life period of the water pipeline must be taken seriously, because if the water pipeline has exhausted its life span, there are chances of mixing of contaminated water in the drinking water supply. In the past, chlorine was used for safe drinking water for the residents, which is a must in the monsoon season to safeguard the residents from waterborne diseases.

Rajat Kumar Mohindru

Prevent sewer–water mixing hazards

In case the tap water gets mixed up with sewer effluents and the same is even unconsciously offered for drinking purposes to the residents, then there is no more heinous crime against humanity and the culprits are invariably liable for extra action of criminal prosecution. This deadly mixture can disguisedly result in serious medical and health problems, which must be avoided through drainage infrastructural soundness at the source, followed by regular, periodical supervision and maintenance under the control of an executive engineer of the local governing body. The drinking water pipes and sewerage lines must not be laid out in the same direction and their laying must be indicated clearly through coded signage on the ground. Public grievances on this issue must be taken up on a priority basis and resolved in the shortest possible time, while holding a senior official duly responsible for it. Above all, a permanent solution needs to be urgently found in areas where problems are occurring frequently, ensuring zero grievance in a certain future.

Jagdish Chander

Municipal wing for water safety

Negligence in timely repair and replacement of defective underground water pipes has triggered a grave crisis in many cities. While safe drinking water should have been a basic civic guarantee, the pity is that it remains elusive in most municipalities. The situation worsens during monsoon, when waterlogging leads to mixing of sewer water with drinking water, exposing the residents to severe health risks. In the smart city of Jalandhar, despite repeated complaints and a heavy sum spent on maintaining civic infrastructure, the municipal staff have failed to provide a lasting solution. As a result, contaminated water continues to flow through taps, spreading water-borne diseases year after year. The problem calls for an urgent solution through systematic intervention. Defective pipelines and water tanks must be promptly identified, repaired, or replaced. For this purpose, a dedicated wing within all municipal bodies should be entrusted with the sole responsibility of maintaining sewerage systems and ensuring uninterrupted supply of clean water. Strict accountability and punitive measures must be enforced against officials who neglect this duty. Clean drinking water is a fundamental human necessity—it cannot be left as a privilege for those who can afford private submersible pumps, while the poor continue to suffer because they cannot afford heavy expenses for such installations at their houses. Above all, the health and safety of citizens demand nothing less than immediate, permanent and effective action.

Nirmaljit Singh Chatrath

Illegal tap water connections

There are thousands of illegal tap water connections in the district. In many places, people haven’t even checked the proximity of the tap water pipelines to sewer pipelines. The resultant mess leads to a huge contamination threat, particularly during the monsoons when sewers overflow and the pipes bear the resultant pressure. While this has been an ongoing issue for years, the Municipal Corporation’s (MC) lack of a detailed assessment and failure to penalise violators only aggravates the problem.

Suman Chauhan

Garbage obstructs flow of water

Clean drinking water is a right of citizens. Garbage mounds, rampant construction and significant encroachment obstruct the smooth flow of water, leading to massive sewer overflows during the monsoons. Citizens only become aware of the severity of the problem when sewer water mixes with the drinking water supply. Throughout the year, citizens contribute to littering roadsides with toxic garbage, exacerbating the insanitary conditions. This issue is most pronounced in areas already suffering from poor sanitation. Naturally, the worst outbreaks due to water contamination have been reported in these regions.

Ravdeep Kaur

Old problem, no solution

The mixing of sewer water with tap water in Jalandhar is a longstanding issue. Despite the pressing need for separate systems for storm water and sewerage, no government or Municipal Corporation (MC) has seriously considered this proposal. The lack of a dedicated, high-quality sewer pipeline system for the district is the biggest civic lapse. Gallons of fresh rainwater are wasted every season because it mixes with sewage and garbage. A city where citizens must endure this mess every monsoon cannot be called “smart.” Water contamination is just one result and it will continue unless a concrete solution is put in place.

Tamanna Bhatia

Poor civic sense and mismanagement

Our city consists of citizens with extremely poor civic sense and administrations behaving even worse. Citizens install illegal water connections, cover drains for extra land and dump garbage even near water sources. A significant amount of monsoon water runoff, which could be used for domestic chores, goes to waste every year. The lack of planning exacerbates this issue by mixing sewer water. The solution, though costly, lies in laying a storm water and sewerage system and reopening former drains. Despite the hype, this issue is largely due to mismanagement and corruption, not anything else.

Sargun Uppal

Government’s neglect leads to health crisis

Year after year, the MC has ignored the issue of sewer water mixing with drinking water in various areas. This has led to outbreaks and even fatalities. Repeated complaints to officials yield no timely response. It is clear that citizens' health and well-being are not a priority for the authorities. It is a shame that a city still tagged as a “smart city” allows a huge amount of taxpayer money to literally go down the drain every year, with no accountability from the top.

Sarwan Singh

Need for a higher-level committee

Health departments are left to tackle the crisis that the MC has caused every year, with the monsoons bringing illness to citizens, particularly in Basti areas. While citizens share responsibility for the insanitary conditions, the larger issue lies with the administration. It is imperative that a high-level committee be formed to keep checks in place so that this problem is never repeated in the city.

Charan Singh

Stronger public awareness required

The mixing of sewer water with tap water is a serious issue that poses significant health risks to the public. Contaminated drinking water can lead to the spread of dangerous diseases like cholera, dysentery and typhoid, affecting the most vulnerable sections of society, including children and the elderly. Clean and safe drinking water is a basic human necessity and a fundamental right. Yet, it is alarming that authorities are not paying heed and failing to provide this essential service. Infrastructure issues, poor maintenance and lack of accountability contribute to this persistent problem. Unfortunately, it feels like no one truly cares. Until there is stronger public awareness and pressure on decision-makers, people will continue to suffer from something as basic and vital as access to clean drinking water.

Aditya Verma

Immediate action needed

Contamination from old sewer pipelines continues to pose a serious risk to public health every year. Clean water is a basic necessity, yet many people are forced to consume unsafe, polluted water due to poorly maintained infrastructure. When individuals fall sick from drinking contaminated water, it raises serious concerns about the priorities of those in charge. This issue cannot be ignored any longer. Authorities must take immediate and effective action to address the root cause of water contamination. A permanent solution is urgently needed and should be treated as a top priority to ensure public safety and well-being.

Radhika Sharma

Prioritise water safety over development

Before undertaking any new development projects, the issue of contaminated water in certain areas must be addressed as a top priority. This problem worsens during the monsoon season, when sewage water mixes with tap water—posing serious health risks to the public. Access to clean and safe drinking water is a basic necessity and it is the government's responsibility to ensure its availability for all citizens. A permanent solution must be implemented, including the repair and maintenance of pipelines. In flood-affected areas, special attention should be given to ensure that residents continue to receive clean drinking water, as these regions are especially vulnerable. No development project can be considered meaningful or successful if such fundamental needs remain unmet. Clean water should not be a privilege—it is a right that every citizen deserves, regardless of where they live.

Deepa