Contaminated Water Sickens Over 70 in Greater Noida's Alpha 2
Contaminated water in Greater Noida's Alpha 2 sector leads to over 70 people falling ill.
Photo by Naja Bertolt Jensen
Quick Revision
Location: Greater Noida, Alpha 2 sector
Affected: Over 70 people
Cause: Contaminated water supply
Symptoms: Vomiting, diarrhea
Key Numbers
Visual Insights
Greater Noida Alpha 2: Location of Water Contamination
Map showing the location of Alpha 2 in Greater Noida, where over 70 people fell ill due to contaminated water. This highlights the need for better water management in urban areas.
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Exam Angles
GS Paper 2: Issues relating to development and management of social sector/services relating to Health, Education, Human Resources.
GS Paper 3: Conservation, environmental pollution and degradation, environmental impact assessment.
Connects to Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 6 (Clean Water and Sanitation).
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Summary
Background
The provision of clean and safe drinking water has been a long-standing challenge in India, deeply intertwined with its history and socio-economic development. Ancient civilizations like the Indus Valley Civilization demonstrated sophisticated water management systems, including wells and drainage. However, over centuries, rapid urbanization, industrialization, and population growth have strained water resources and infrastructure.
The British colonial era saw the introduction of piped water systems in some urban centers, but these were limited in scope. Post-independence, various government initiatives, such as the National Rural Drinking Water Programme (NRDWP) and the Jal Jeevan Mission, have aimed to improve water access and quality. Despite these efforts, contamination due to industrial effluents, agricultural runoff, and inadequate sewage treatment remains a persistent problem, particularly in rapidly growing urban areas like Greater Noida.
Latest Developments
In recent years, there has been increased focus on water quality monitoring and regulation. The establishment of the National Green Tribunal (NGT) has provided a platform for addressing environmental concerns, including water pollution. The Jal Jeevan Mission (launched in 2019) aims to provide piped water supply to all rural households by 2024, with a strong emphasis on water quality testing and surveillance.
Furthermore, advancements in water treatment technologies, such as membrane filtration and UV disinfection, are being explored to improve water quality. The future outlook involves greater integration of technology, community participation, and stricter enforcement of environmental regulations to ensure sustainable and safe water supply. The ongoing Namami Gange project also indirectly contributes to improved water quality in the Ganga basin, which affects water availability in the surrounding regions.
Practice Questions (MCQs)
1. Consider the following statements regarding water contamination and its health impacts: 1. Contamination of drinking water can lead to waterborne diseases such as cholera, typhoid, and hepatitis. 2. The presence of heavy metals like lead and arsenic in water can cause chronic health problems, including neurological damage and cancer. 3. The Jal Jeevan Mission primarily focuses on addressing water contamination issues in urban areas. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
- A.1 and 2 only
- B.2 and 3 only
- C.1 and 3 only
- D.1, 2 and 3
Show Answer
Answer: A
Statements 1 and 2 are correct. Statement 3 is incorrect because the Jal Jeevan Mission primarily focuses on rural areas, aiming to provide piped water supply to all rural households by 2024.
2. In the context of water quality management in India, which of the following statements is NOT correct?
- A.The Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) is responsible for monitoring water quality across the country.
- B.The National Green Tribunal (NGT) can adjudicate cases related to water pollution and environmental damage.
- C.The Namami Gange Programme focuses solely on cleaning the Yamuna River.
- D.The Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1974 provides a legal framework for preventing and controlling water pollution.
Show Answer
Answer: C
Option C is incorrect. The Namami Gange Programme focuses on cleaning the Ganga River, not the Yamuna River. While other initiatives address the Yamuna, Namami Gange is specifically for the Ganga.
3. Which of the following pairs correctly matches the waterborne disease with its causative agent? List I (Disease) I. Cholera II. Typhoid III. Hepatitis A List II (Causative Agent) A. Salmonella Typhi B. Vibrio Cholerae C. Hepatitis A virus Select the correct answer using the code given below:
- A.I-A, II-B, III-C
- B.I-B, II-A, III-C
- C.I-C, II-A, III-B
- D.I-B, II-C, III-A
Show Answer
Answer: B
The correct matching is: Cholera is caused by Vibrio Cholerae, Typhoid is caused by Salmonella Typhi, and Hepatitis A is caused by the Hepatitis A virus.