The supplied water has a TDS value over the permissible limit for potable water and the maintenance team is charging Rs 210 per flat — more than double the prevailing rates.
Residents and maintenance staff of Supertech Capetown, in Sector 74, Noida, are at loggerheads with the society's maintenance staff over Ganga jal charges. Residents are opposing a demand to pay Rs 210 per flat as charges.
Residents said the Ganga jal supplied to their households had a very high TDS (total dissolved solids) level and wasn't suitable for consumption. The TDS levels in the supplied Ganga jal have been recorded between 1,500 mg/l and 1,800 mg/l, whereas the permitted TDS for potable water by WHO* stand between 300 mg/l and 900 mg/l. Residents questioned why, despite having taken a water connection for Rs 25,000, they were being asked to pay a monthly charge for Ganga jal supply.
Bhupendra Routela, a resident, told City Spidey that using the high-TDS water caused several residents to develop skin problems and hairfall issues.
“The maintenance staff should first ensure the TDS level of the water is within the permissible limit," said Routela. "Maybe then they can start talking about charges."
Shailendra Baranwal, another resident, said that where their society charged Rs 210 for Ganga jal supply, other societies in the vicinity charged only Rs 100.
When City Spidey tried to discuss the issue with Naresh Sharma, facility head of the society, he refused to comment on the matter.
*The palatability of drinking water has been rated by panels of tasters in relation to its TDS level as follows: excellent, less than 300 mg/litre; good, between 300 and 600 mg/litre; fair, between 600 and 900 mg/litre; poor, between 900 and 1,200 mg/litre; and unacceptable, greater than 1,200 mg/litre.
