Water quality has always been a concern for all the Indian states. A recent test conducted by BIS showed that the water quality in almost all the metros is unsafe except Mumbai. Delhi, one of the most populated cities in India, tops this list. While the city is still coping with the deteriorating air quality, the people of Delhi got another shocker about the water quality. The national capital is at the bottom of the list, according to the ranking released by the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS). Among 17 cities, which include Kolkata, Jaipur, Hyderabad, and Dehradun, Mumbai was the only state with safe water quality. With waterborne diseases being one of the reasons for infant mortality, it is high time to take the right steps to make water safe for consumption. Read on to find out more about the report and how to stay safe.
The Detailed Report
The Bureau of Indian Standards tested the tap water samples from 11 different locations in the national capital. The study conducted by the BIS revealed that even in urban areas, which have piped water networks, there is no confirmation that the water is safe for consumption. All the 11 different locations failed to meet the quality norms in the preliminary tests. The water quality tests were conducted after consumer affairs minister Ram Vilas Paswan claimed that the tap water in Delhi is unfit for drinking. There are 48 different parameters, however, the water is being tested only under 28 parameters. The 28 parameters included in the test which consist of TDS count, pH value, and odor to name some. While manufacturers of bottled water need to meet the quality standards, the BIS standard is not mandatory for public agencies that distribute piped water.
The Type of Contaminants Present in Water
Samples collected from the 11 areas in Delhi showed the presence of toxic substances and pesticide residues. In addition to these, the water samples also showed a high percentage of:
• Aluminum
• Ammonia Anionic detergent
• Calcium
• Chloride
• Coliform
• E. Coli
• Iron
• Manganese
• Nitrate
• pH
• Odor
• Phenolic compounds
• Sulfide
• TDS
• Total alkalinity
• Turbidity
• Total hardness
Coliform and E.Coli samples were found in all the samples collected from the different areas, along with the excess amounts of iron, ammonia, aluminum, manganese, and magnesium. In addition, all the samples were turbid and had a bad odor.
The Reason for Increased Contamination
One of the main reasons for increased contamination is the over-extraction of groundwater. Over extraction absorbs more salts and minerals making it more saline and brackish. Rampant construction has contaminated the water sources with cement, paints, varnishes, and other construction materials. The leaky and poorly constructed sewage lines that are not maintained properly add to the contamination. In addition, dumping of feces, chemicals, and ashes also makes the water extremely polluted.
Ways to Stay Safe
The increasing amount of pollution makes it important to take the right steps to remove contaminants and make water safe for use. Some of the suggested ways to make sure you drink safe water are:
Purify the Water Before Drinking
Gone are the days when boiling water was enough to remove contaminants from water. The increasing amount of pollution makes it necessary to purify water using the right technology. However, before choosing the purifying technology, it is essential to get the water quality tested to know which purification technology will be the best for you.
Use the Right Purifier
RO purifier is a must, especially in places like Delhi, where the water quality is deteriorating every day. RO purifiers use multistage purification that removes different kinds of impurities in various stages. The water purifiers from KENT use purification technology of RO+ UV and UF to remove different types of microorganisms, dissolved impurities, and excess chemicals from water to make it safe for consumption.
Avoid Using Bottled Water
A lot of people depend on bottled water to meet their daily needs. However, bottled water is filled with harmful chemicals that can lead to a number of health problems. The chemicals present in plastic leech into the water, thereby making it unsafe for use. In addition, the source of water is also a big reason for concern. A safe way to purify water is by installing an RO Purifier, which provides you with purified water on demand.
Is your City Getting Safe Water?
In addition to Delhi, some of the other cities where the water quality was tested were:
• Kolkata
• Chennai
• Bengaluru
• Jaipur
• Lucknow
• Hyderabad
All the tested samples tested by BIS failed to meet the norms. So, not just the people of Delhi but the list of cities mentioned above are also posing a health risk. Considering the situation, it is essential to get your water quality tested to know the type of contaminants present in the water and choose a water purification system accordingly. Click here to get a free water test today.