Even groundwater is unfit for use

HYDERABAD: It's not just piped water, even Hyerabad's groundwater quality is a cause for concern, thanks to the city's expansive pharma industry, warn experts.
“Be it Uppal, Nacharam, Jeedimetla, Katedan or Saroornagar, the city is surrounded by pharmaceutical and chemical industries that mercilessly dump hazardous waste in the ground, leading to severe contamination,“ rued K Purushottam Reddy, a city-based environmentalist.
“ Recently most of the groundwater samples tested showed excessive amounts of nitrate contamination, which originates from open dumping of garbage and defecation. Incidentally, most of these samples were collected from peri-urban areas, now growing to be a part of the urban agglomeration,“ he added.
Even officials of the Groundwater Directorate confirm this allegation and point out how this water has high quantities of nitrates, cadmium and oxides of sulphur. “A rise in the nitrate levels in the water is bad news for people. The basic source of nitrates in water is sewerage, which seeps from improperly built septic tanks,“ said Dr Shakeel Ahmed, chief scientist, National Geophysical Research Institute (NGRI).
Concurring with him, M Sayaji Rao, professor, department of chemistry, Nizam College, said how the consumption of this water affects children, often lowering their IQ levels.
A study authored by him in November last year noted that most of the groundwater samples had dissolved salts to the tune of 180 mg per litre or above, making them extremely saline and unfit for consumption.
“The groundwater in the city comprises more of heavy metals and toxic elements than water. Now that the city is gearing up for another bout of elections, it is time for people to demand their right to clean water supply,“ said Reddy .