Karnataka - Gulbarga   

Water contamination in rural habitations

GULBARGA: A study conducted by the Planning Commission has found that the groundwater in more than 37 per cent of the rural habitations was contaminated with chemicals in excess of the prescribed limits.

Official sources told The Hindu here today that 11.7 per cent of the habitations in rural areas were consuming water with excess iron and 10.3 per cent of the habitations were imbibing water with excess fluoride. The study also revealed that 7.87 per cent were drinking water with excess brackishness and 7.19 per cent with excess nitrate.

The situation was more serious in habitatons in Bagalkot, Bangalore urban, Bijapur, Chamarajanagar, Chitradurga, Haveri, Mandya, Tumkur, Bellary, Davanagere, Kodagu, Kolar, Raichur and Koppal districts with 50 to 79 per cent affected by contamination.

The study pointed out that excess fluoride content in groundwater was a major problem in 14 districts. Both the Union and State Governments had resolved to address the supply of quality drinking water, but so far the problem had not been solved. Consumption of poor quality water has a serious impact on health. The presence of chemicals like fluoride in excess quantity causes dental and bone diseases, while skin rashes result due to consumption of water with excess brackishness.

Biological contamination gives rise to water borne diseases.

The study showed that even urban areas were not free from poor quality water. The High Power Committee for Redressal of Regional Imbalance, headed by noted economist late D.M. Nanjundappa, poined out that several borewell-based water supply schemes were contaminated.

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Water contamination in rural habitations

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