67% of Indore water samples fail safety test, report shows alarming lapses

The report’s release comes in the aftermath of the Bhagirathpura water contamination crisis in Indore, where at least six people have officially died, though residents claim the toll could be 16, including a six-month-old child.

A Central government assessment has flagged widespread lapses in drinking water quality in Madhya Pradesh, with data showing that around 37 percent of samples collected statewide and an alarming 67% in Indore were found unfit for consumption in 2024, even as the city continues to top national cleanliness rankings.

The findings come from the Functionality Assessment of Household Tap Connections – State Report 2024, prepared by the Ministry of Jal Shakti, reports CNN-News18, which has reviewed the papers.

The nationwide exercise, carried out between July and October 2024, evaluated drinking water samples for contamination indicators such as E. coli, total coliform bacteria, and pH levels.

The report’s release comes in the aftermath of the Bhagirathpura water contamination crisis in Indore, where at least six people have officially died, though residents claim the toll could be 16, including a six-month-old child. Hundreds more fell ill with diarrhoea and vomiting, sparking outrage and political controversy.

Investigations by the Indore Municipal Corporation (IMC) traced the contamination to a police outpost toilet built without a proper septic system, where sewage drained into a pit located directly above a drinking water pipeline. Multiple leaks were discovered, prompting the demolition of the structure. Officials admitted that sewage had entered the water mains, triggering the outbreak.

The Central report also flagged serious gaps in water monitoring. Field-testing kits were available in just 14.7% of sites in Indore, far below the already insufficient 22% statewide coverage, hampering early detection of contamination. Moreover, the state government failed to respond to seven critical survey questions regarding water quality SOPs and sample testing frequency.

Public distress is underscored by the nearly 98,000 grievances filed by citizens in Madhya Pradesh in a single year over drinking water issues.

As per officials, 398 patients have been admitted to hospitals so far, with 142 currently under treatment, including 11 in ICUs. Over 9,400 residents from 2,354 households were screened in Bhagirathpura, where 20 new cases were detected. Authorities stated that the outbreak is under control and in a declining phase.

A team from the National Institute for Research in Bacterial Infections (NIRBI), affiliated with the Indian Council of Medical Research, has arrived in Indore to assist local health authorities.

State Urban Development Minister Kailash Vijayvargiya said that water samples tested negative for major pathogens, including E. coli, cholera, salmonella, and rotavirus, following chlorination measures, but residents were advised to boil water as a precaution.

Indore depends on Narmada river water piped 80 km from Khargone district, with the city spending nearly Rs 25 crore a month on electricity alone to maintain supply. The Bhagirathpura tragedy has raised serious questions about governance, oversight, and the long-term sustainability of urban water systems, even in cities celebrated for cleanliness.