For many residents in Jaipur's walled city, drinking water has become a source of anxiety rather than relief. On Friday, the issue came to the fore when Hawa Mahal MLA Balmukundacharya visited Langar ke Balaji ka Rasta near Nahargarh Road to inspect sanitation arrangements. During the visit, a local handed him a bottle filled with yellowish water, claiming that such water had been supplied from government taps for several days.
MLA Takes Immediate Action
Taking note of the complaint, the MLA immediately directed PHED officials to test the water and ensure the supply of clean drinking water. However, the problem is not confined to one locality. Arvind Methi, a resident of Tripolia Bazaar and former councillor, said, “For the past 15 days, yellow-coloured water has been flowing through taps in the area. There is no foul smell, but people are scared to drink it. Officials tested the water and tried to reassure us, but the fear remains as clean water was not restored.”
Residents Resort to Buying Water
Residents say they have started taking precautions. “There is no smell in the water, but there is fear. We even tried drinking it, but now we are using it only for bathing and washing clothes. For drinking, we are buying water from outside,” said Vikas Tiwari from Nahargarh Road. In Surajpura, the situation appears even worse, with complaints persisting for months. Sanjeev Kumar, a local resident, said, “People have stopped complaining because they feel no one will listen. We have somehow come to terms with it.” Another local, Rajpal Singh, added, “The water is so yellow. Officials came earlier and said it is safe to drink, but how can we trust that? Clean water is our right.”
PHED Explains the Cause
Explaining the issue, PHED additional chief engineer Ajay Singh Rathore said, “The presence of algae called chlorophyta in water leads to a yellow tint when temperatures rise and it decomposes. This colour can appear even after treatment. The water is not contaminated and is safe for drinking. The intensity of the colour had already reduced by evening and normal supply is expected to resume soon.” He added that samples from various parts of the city are being tested and the situation will improve shortly.
Despite the official explanation, residents remain skeptical. Many continue to rely on purchased water for drinking, while using the tap water for other domestic purposes. The incident highlights the ongoing water quality challenges in parts of Jaipur, where even treated water can cause alarm due to discoloration.
