Residents fall sick after drinking tap water in Greater Noida; authority denies sewage mixing

Noida: Multiple residents of Greater Noida’s Delta 1 Sector have reported falling sick after allegedly consuming contaminated tap water, raising concerns about possible sewage infiltration into the main supply line. Families across parts of the sector complained of sudden illness on Tuesday and Wednesday, prompting inspections by the Greater Noida Industrial Development Authority (GNIDA) and a medical outreach by the local health department. 

Residents said those affected experienced vomiting, stomach pain, fever and diarrhoea soon after drinking the water. However, GNIDA has maintained that preliminary tests show the water is clean and ruled out any mixing of sewage.

Residents report illness, blame pipe leakages

Local residents said repeated complaints about leaking pipelines and overflowing sewer lines had gone unaddressed, with the issue particularly severe in C Block.

Rishipal Bhati, a resident and former RWA president, said on Thursday that pipeline faults had caused contamination.

He said, “Around six to seven families fell ill with symptoms such as vomiting, fever and loose motion after consuming contaminated water,” adding that similar issues had been raised earlier in other blocks as well.

Some residents reported severe stomach discomfort after drinking tap water, claiming that sewage from clogged drains was entering broken pipelines connected to their homes. Others described water leakage as an ongoing problem in the neighbourhood.

Harendra Bhati, from neighbouring Beta 1 Sector, said such issues were widespread across Greater Noida. “I have raised the issue multiple times, but no permanent solution has been implemented,” he said.

Authorities reject claims of sewage contamination

GNIDA officials denied allegations of sewage mixing, saying their team acted immediately after receiving complaints and conducted on-site inspections.

A senior GNIDA official said water samples were collected from affected houses and tested. “The samples were found to be clean. There was a supply connection issue in one house and a leak at another, which were fixed immediately,” the official said.

Greater Noida Authority CEO N G Ravi Kumar has since ordered citywide random water testing, in light of similar recent incidents reported from Indore and Gandhinagar.

Fresh sampling and safety measures ordered

Additional CEO Sunil Kumar Singh said new samples were taken on Wednesday evening after supply resumed. “Fresh samples were collected again on Wednesday evening after the water supply resumed, which will be sent for testing,” he said.

Singh added that builders and apartment associations have been instructed to keep water reservoirs clean, get regular tests done and submit reports to the authority. He said a letter is being circulated advising residents to report any sign of contamination without delay.

Medical camp treats affected residents

In response to the health complaints, the district health department set up a free medical camp in Delta 1 on Wednesday. Chief Medical Officer Narendra Kumar said 23 people were examined. Of them, seven patients showing symptoms of diarrhoea and vomiting were treated on site.

(PTI)