Greater Noida Water Contamination: Residents Fall Sick After Sewage Mixes With Supply

A public health scare has gripped Greater Noida after residents of the Delta 1 sector reported falling ill due to what they allege is sewage contamination in the domestic drinking water supply. Over the past three days, several households in the locality have complained of symptoms ranging from vomiting and diarrhoea to headaches and fever, triggering panic among residents.

Families living in the area claim that the water supplied to their homes appeared visibly discoloured and emitted a foul smell. According to residents, children and elderly family members were among the worst affected, with some requiring medical attention due to persistent gastrointestinal issues.

Residents Allege Inaction Despite Repeated Complaints

Locals allege that their initial complaints to civic authorities went unanswered, even as the number of people reporting illness increased. Several residents said they had submitted written complaints and made repeated calls to local officials, but no immediate corrective measures were taken.

One resident said the water coming from household taps appeared yellowish and muddy, making it visibly unsafe for consumption. Another resident reported that the water had an unusual odour, adding that multiple children in her household fell sick after drinking it.

Fear and frustration have spread through the neighbourhood, with residents saying they were forced to rely on bottled water while awaiting a response from authorities.

Officials Step In, Sewage Contamination Confirmed

Following mounting pressure and multiple complaints, teams from the Greater Noida Authority and the health department visited the affected area. Officials dug inspection pits at several locations and collected water samples for laboratory testing.

Preliminary findings indicated that sewage had leaked into the drinking water pipeline, contaminating the supply. Officials identified a leakage point where wastewater had reportedly entered the potable water line.

After identifying the fault, the water department carried out repair work to seal the leakage and flush the pipeline. Authorities stated that corrective measures were implemented promptly once the issue was confirmed on the ground.

Authority Claims Issue Resolved, Residents Remain Wary

In an official statement, the Greater Noida Authority claimed that the contamination was limited to one or two households and that the problem has now been resolved. Officials added that the water supply has been restored and is safe for consumption.

“Water samples have been collected for testing, and supply has been normalised. Necessary repairs have been completed,” the authority said.

However, several residents remain sceptical of the assurances, insisting that a more thorough inspection of the water network is required. Some locals have demanded an independent quality audit of the water supply system to prevent similar incidents in the future.

Growing Concerns Over Urban Water Safety

The incident has reignited concerns over drinking water safety in rapidly growing urban centres. Just earlier this month, a major health crisis was reported in Indore, where sewage-borne bacteria entered the treated water supply, resulting in multiple deaths due to severe diarrhoea and vomiting.

Public health experts warn that ageing infrastructure, poor maintenance, and unchecked urban expansion are increasing the risk of such contamination incidents. They stress the need for regular monitoring of water pipelines, swift grievance redressal, and transparency in reporting test results.

For residents of Delta 1, the immediate priority remains ensuring access to safe drinking water and accountability for what they describe as a delayed response that allowed a preventable health scare to escalate.