High fluoride content in Kalahandi area water detected
Friday February 9 2007 10:42 IST
BHAWANIPATNA: There is water everywhere but not a drop to drink. For the residents of Gohirapadar village under Narla block of Kalahandi, this summarises their plight making survival their toughest challenge.
Two years back, some people of the village complained of muscle pain, physical deformity and discolouration of teeth.
Locals attributed this to the presence of heavy quantities of fluoride in drinking water. Later, water supply was provided through Rural Water Supply Scheme (RWSS) Department from nearby villages. Villagers, however, alleged that water supply was not adequate and not enough medical facilities were provided to those who were affected by fluoride-contaminated water.
Similarly, amount of fluoride detected in ground water of Badbasul village under Golamunda block was found to be more than 1.5 mg, according to RSWW Department survey.
Despite being rich in ground water, Kalahandi records use of only 12.83 percent of ground water but in some pockets, high level of chemical content in water is reported.
According to a report of the Central Ground Water Board, high-level of nitrate is reported in the shallow aquifers of Kesinga, Dharamgarh, Sargiguda, Baldiamal, Badbasul, Pastikudi, Daspur and Narla. Similarly, presence of high quantities of iron and fluoride is reported from shallow and deep aquifers of some parts of the district.
Locals allege that at many places, deep bore wells and tube-wells are constructed without prior survey and water testing thereby resulting in discharge of underground chemicals.
Contacted, executive engineer of RWSS Department said besides Gohirapadar and Badbasul village, fluoride content beyond permissible level has also been found in water from Kandopara of Dharmagad block, Matrupuri of Karlamunda block and Guguripahal of Narla block.
‘‘Plans are afoot to provide pipe water supply to these villages to combat the situation and a proposal has been sent to the State Government for sanction of funds for the project,’’ he added. Regarding nitrate content, he said that tests would be conducted in all tube-wells of the district in a phased manner so that corrective measures are taken on time.
No comments:
Post a Comment