Indore water crisis: Residents take loans to install RO purifiers amid diarrhoea outbreak

Fear continues to grip Indore’s Bhagirathpura area after several deaths and serious illnesses were linked to a contaminated water pipeline. As the diarrhoea outbreak persists, residents say anxiety over drinking water safety has become a part of daily life.

With growing health concerns, many families are installing RO water purifiers at home. Despite the financial strain, some residents are even taking loans, saying the cost of clean water is far less than expensive hospital treatment.

According to a local resident, Bhagvan Das, "Because of this issue, we have been continuously troubled for many years, especially for the past several months. Complaints were made, but no decision was taken. So, with the current situation, even my own health deteriorated, and my child also fell ill. As for me, I recovered because I took proper treatment at the right time, I was suffering from loose motions. Now, even if the water supply improves, we remain fearful. Because of this fear, we decided to install an RO system. It is better to spend ₹10,000 and keep our family safe than spend the same in a hospital after falling ill.."

For many households, the decision to install an RO purifier has not been easy, but residents say fear has left them with little choice.

"We somehow managed to get it installed after taking a loan. They (family) argued and said all kinds of things, but we do not want any more trouble to come upon our family. Our mother-in-law has already fallen very ill after drinking this water, and her condition has now reached the point where she may need to be admitted to the hospital. Her condition has become this serious." says Pinky Petpuria, another local resident:

Although the Indore Municipal Corporation is supplying water via tankers, many residents are still hesitant to use it, citing concerns about contamination and a complete loss of trust in the city's water sources.