Unsafe drinking water in Shopian prompts public health fears

Shopian, Apr 17: Residents in several parts of south Kashmir’s Shopian town have been consuming turbid water for the past several weeks, raising concerns about a possible outbreak of water-borne diseases.

People in Gagren, Bonabazar, Nakhasi Mohalla and other localities complained that the water supplied to their homes is muddy and unfit for consumption, particularly during the ongoing rainy spell. “The water supplied to us is not fit even for doing laundry, let alone for drinking,” said a group of residents from Gagren village, adding that the problem has persisted for weeks without any relief from the authorities.

Many households have been forced to purchase bottled water for cooking and drinking, putting additional financial strain on families already grappling with rising costs. Abaid Hussain, a resident of Bonabazar, said that taps frequently gush out visibly contaminated water. “The problem becomes worse during the rainy season. The water turns muddy and unusable,” he said, expressing fears about potential health risks. Residents said they were particularly worried about the spread of water-borne diseases such as jaundice, diarrhoea and gastroenteritis, which are often linked to contaminated water supplies.

Officials from the Jal Shakti Department acknowledged the issue, attributing it to high turbidity levels in water sources during rainfall. “During the rainy season, turbidity increases significantly and we record high NTU levels,” a senior official said. NTU, or Nephelometric Turbidity Unit, is a standard measure used to assess the clarity of water, with higher values indicating greater levels of suspended particles. The official said that ongoing construction work on the Mughal Road has contributed to the problem. “During rainfall, landslides from the mountains wash silt and debris into the water sources, leading to increased turbidity,” he said. He added that efforts were underway to address the issue. Work on a filtration plant is in progress, and an additional water supply line from the Padpawn area is being laid to improve the quality and reliability of water supply. Authorities did not specify a timeline for completion of the projects.

Meanwhile, the official advised residents to take precautionary measures before using the water for drinking purposes. He urged people to boil water thoroughly and filter it through clean cloth or household filtration systems to reduce the risk of contamination. “Until the turbidity levels come down and proper filtration systems are in place, people should ensure water is treated at home before consumption,” he said, adding that such measures can help minimise the chances of water-borne infections. Residents, however, urged the administration to take immediate steps to restore safe drinking water, warning that prolonged exposure to contaminated supply could trigger a public health crisis in the area.