Indore water contamination crisis: Top internal medicine expert explains what went wrong and how it could have been prevented

Indore water contamination crisis: Out of the 50 samples collected, presence of bacteria has been found in 26 samples. (Picture Credit: X/@imgrijesh)

• Nine deaths and 200 treated after waterborne disease outbreak in Indore
• Sewage mixing with drinking water cited as cause of contamination
• Children under five and elderly most affected by the crisis

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Indore is the city in Madhya Pradesh that has often bagged awards for being the cleanest city in a row. This is why the recent contaminated water crisis in the city has come as a surprise to many. In the Bhagirathpura locality, 9 people have lost their lives and around 200 people are undergoing treatment because of the waterborne disease outbreak.

Last year, as per Indian Express report, the city had received 266 complaints about water quality. Complainants mentioned how that there was acid in the dirty water and that the borewell water is mixing with drain water.

On December 18, locals complained of a foul stench in the Narmada water supply. By the end of the month, a good 90% of people of ward 11 were falling ill and suffering from dehydration, diarrhea and severe vomiting. Reportedly, sewage getting mixed with drinking water has been cited as the reason behind water contamination crisis in Indore.

As per what sources told NDTV, a tender for replacing the Bhagirathpura pipeline was floated in August 2025 at an estimated cost of Rs 2.4 crore. However, going by the reports, the order to begin the final phase of the project was passed on December 26, 2025, at a time when the casualties started getting reported.

Moneycontrol team spoke to Dr Sunil Rana, Associate Director and Head, Internal Medicine (Unit III), Asian Hospital, to understand more about the situation unfolding in Indore, whether it could have been preventable and more.

"Acute diarrheal illness outbreaks are mostly associated with drinking contaminated drinking water. From the situation that is unfolding in Indore, it seems that the dangerous microorganisms got introduced to water bodies and got diffused quickly across communities, leading to a spike in the number of infections. In worst cases, it even led to deaths. This illustrates that unsafe water may seriously undermine the health of the people, especially those who're vulnerable in society which includes children, elderly, and people with low immunity," he shared.

It goes without saying that the tragedy could have prevented had contaminated water sources were detected earlier, timely medical treatment was administered to those in need and provision of safe drinking water was made available to all, Dr Rana said.

What happens when a person drinks contaminated water for a prolonged duration?

The repeated exposure of the body to any harmful microorganism like bacteria, viruses, and parasites happens when one consumes contaminated water for a long time. The result? Diarrhoea, vomiting, stomach ache and fever. All of this results in constant loss of fluid and electrolytes, Dr Rana told Moneycontrol.

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"With time, recurrent infections weaken the intestinal lining, prevent nutrient absorption, making it susceptible to extreme dehydration, anemia, and systemic infections. Prolonged exposure could also lead to severe diseases such as typhoid, hepatitis A or parasitism. Without treatment, the conditions may escalate to dysfunction of organs, shock, and high mortality risks," he added.

Which age group gets affected the most?

The most affected people to waterborne illnesses are children below the age of five years and elderly individuals. "Children are highly susceptible to rapid dehydration and electrolyte imbalance due to poor immunity and low volume of fluid contents. Elderly people do not have a lot of physiological reserves and can experience chronic diseases like diabetes or kidney disease, that aggravate the outcomes in the diarrhoeal disease," shared Dr Rana.

Women who are pregnant and have low immunity are also at the risk of developing complications. Dr Rana urged that in view of these people, prompt medical care should be given to avoid any serious outcomes.

Dr Rana shares how the situation could have been avoided

• By conducting regular inspections of water quality
• By replacing damaged pipelines early on and ensuring strict segregation of sewage and drinking water lines.
• The exposure could have been minimized by addressing the complaints of water odour or foul smell in a timely manner.
• Chlorinating the water regularly, pressure testing of pipelines and advance infrastructure audits are essential.

Proper communication with residents and temporary disconnection of potential sources of water until they are safe would have minimized the spread of the disease.

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Dr Rana shares safe drinking water tips

• Water consumption should be taken only through credible and verified sources. Strict precaution must be observed at the time of an outbreak.
• Water should be boiled properly, as by doing so one can kill majority of the disease-causing organisms.
• Water purifiers in households must be well maintained and water stored in covered containers should be clean to prevent secondary contamination.
• Do not use untreated water together with safe water when storing it.
• Hand hygiene, cleaning fruits and vegetables with safe water, and not using street food in time of outbreaks also minimise the risk of infection. Disclaimer: This article, including health and fitness advice, only provides generic information. Don’t treat it as a substitute for qualified medical opinion. Always consult a specialist for specific health diagnosis.