The Hindu         16.03.2011

MCD seeks details of water contamination

Following the Municipal Corporation of Delhi's recent findings of 18 per cent contamination in the Delhi Jal Board's water samples, the Health Committee of the civic body that had commissioned the earlier survey has written to all councillors to furnish details of water contamination complaints from the people.

MCD Public Health and Medical Relief Committee chairman Dr V. K. Monga said that they were trying to take up the issue of contaminated water in the city in a bid to reduce the health risks for Delhi's population from water-borne diseases.

“The DJP pipelines are old which is causing the contamination. By taking up the issue we can urge them to make the necessary changes,” he added.

The civic agency tested 616 samples from different parts of the city of which 111 were found unfit for drinking. The worst affected areas were the south and Karol Bagh zones.

In South Zzone, of the 109 samples collected, 21 were found to be unfit, while in Karol Bagh, 19 samples of 59 collected were found to be contaminated. The survey was ordered in December 2010 after MCD's public health department received several complaints of cholera and other gastro related problems.

The samples were collected between January and February this year and were tested by the Public Health Laboratory of MCD.