The taps at East End Apartments in Mayur Vihar Phase 1 Extension are running with contaminated water for the past 24 hours. The water laced with chemicals is smelly, sticky and unfit for human consumption. The management of the society has asked its residents to desist from drinking the water. They have also been advised against using the water for cooking.
The RWA has filed a police case and sent samples of this water to a government lab for testing. It has promised to share the findings of the report with residents. The RWA advisory is silent on the question of whether the water can be used in the washroom or for carrying out domestic chores such as mopping the floor, dishwashing and laundry.
All hell broke loose on September 12 evening when residents discovered odd-smelling water coming out of taps. Some residents complained that their water was sticky, some said it was mud-coloured. Initially they thought it could be residual water flowing from their overhead tanks, which could have gone for routine maintenance and cleaning.
Later, however, they were shocked to learn that the contractor who was supposed to chlorinate the water instead contaminated it by dumping an unknown chemical into the underground storage. According to residents, the plastic drums that were used to carry the chlorine agent was also being used to carry other chemicals. As a result, there were residues of some unknown chemicals that got mixed with the water.
The water is chlorinated to kill certain bacteria and other microbes in tap water. Chlorination prevents the spread of waterborne diseases such as cholera, dysentery and typhoid. Ironically, instead of purifying, it has contaminated the water.
The society stores about 6 lakh litres of water in underground sumps. These are then pumped to the overhead tanks in 29 multistoreyed buildings. The RWA is now engaged in a massive firefighting operation, as the sump and all underground tanks are being cleaned after draining out the water.
The residents are not sure when normalcy will be restored, as it might take a while for the odour to go away even after the tanks are cleaned and the water replaced.
This incident has left residents wondering whether there was any mechanism in place to prevent such a mishap. For instance, was anyone tasked to oversee mixing of chlorine in the water tank? If yes, did that person actually check the quality of chlorine or the contents of the containers before it was emptied into the tanks?
BK Singh, president of the society's managing committee, told City Spidey that his men acted as soon as the complaints were received. “All three underground water tanks were drained out. We are now drying out the walls of the tanks, though it might take four to five rounds of cleaning for the odour to go away completely.” He assured that water would be supplied only after ensuring the odour was removed. “We are hopeful that water supply will start by this evening,” he said.
On whether overhead water tanks in all 29 blocks will be cleaned, Singh said, “We will first release water and check whether it is useful. If not, we will clean all of them. Luckily, the water in C-type quarters is safe." The society has hired 30 labourers to complete the mammoth task and it might extend to two-three more days.
“We have lodged a complaint against the contractor and samples of chlorine have been send to Fedco Water Laboratory in Okhla," Singh said. When City Spidey raised the query whether the container in which chlorine was brought in had any other chemicals or even pesticides, Singh said, “I understand residents have several questions of this fallout but I will be able to reply only after laboratory reports come in. I have no idea whether the containers were loaded with some other chemical. We had purchased 25 cans of chlorine and only one has been opened so far. The rest are still with us.”
On the immediate water crisis, he said, “Residents have been asked to manage drinking water at their own cost. For other purposes, we have asked Delhi Jal Board to provide at least three water tankers. Two water takers were sent by Delhi Jal Board this morning itself.”
