Karnataka Faces Severe Drinking Water Quality Crisis, BJP MLC Urges Immediate Action
In a stark revelation during the legislative council session on Tuesday, BJP MLC Dr Dhananjaya Sarji highlighted a sharp and alarming decline in drinking water quality across Karnataka. He urgently called upon the state government to implement immediate measures to curb the spread of infectious diseases linked to contaminated water sources.
Dissatisfaction with Government Response and Alarming Health Statistics
Dr Sarji expressed deep dissatisfaction with the responses provided by Municipal Administration and Haj Minister Rahim Khan, presenting a series of concerning statistics to underscore the gravity of the situation. Citing data from the Union Health Ministry, he revealed that Karnataka ranks third in the country for typhoid cases and fifth for diarrhoea.
In 2021 alone, the state reported a staggering 3.3 lakh cases of diarrhoea and 3,021 cases of typhoid. Over the past five years, Karnataka has also recorded 8,697 cases of leptospirosis, commonly known as rat fever, averaging 1,739 cases annually.
Widespread Chemical Contamination in Water Sources
The MLC further pointed to extensive chemical pollution affecting drinking water supplies. Karnataka holds the dubious distinction of ranking second nationally for nitrate pollution at 48%, trailing only behind Rajasthan at 49%.
Recent water sample tests from multiple districts detected 1,647 instances of fluoride contamination and 3,129 instances of nitrate contamination. During the 2023-24 period, laboratories documented 4,670 cases of bacterial impurities and 24,917 cases of chemical impurities, a troubling trend that has persisted into the current year.
Severe Health Risks from Fluoride Contamination
Dr Sarji issued a stern warning about the severe health consequences of fluorosis, caused by prolonged consumption of water with high fluoride levels. The impact extends far beyond dental decay to include:
- Bone weakening and joint pain
- Permanent physical disabilities
- Learning difficulties in children
- Kidney dysfunction
- Cellular-level damage to DNA and proteins
Critical Infrastructure Deficiencies and Call for Action
The BJP MLC also highlighted significant infrastructure gaps, noting the absence of NABL (National Accreditation Board for Testing and Calibration Laboratories) accredited facilities in key urban centres such as Shivamogga and Mangaluru.
He called for stringent monitoring of pesticide residues in water sources and demanded that the government cease "playing with the health" of Karnataka's citizens. The urgent plea emphasizes the need for comprehensive water quality management and public health safeguards to prevent further deterioration of this critical resource.
