Indore faces severe water supply and quality crisis:50% groundwater contaminated, drainage and industrial chemicals major causes

Indore continues to face significant challenges in ensuring a reliable and safe water supply. Water is transported from a source located 78 kilometres away, incurring an annual electricity cost exceeding ₹300 crore. Despite this substantial investment, only around 70 per cent of the population receives a water supply. Of this, an estimated 25 to 30 per cent is lost due to leakage, highlighting serious inefficiencies in the distribution system. Water quality under scrutiny Following the Bhagirathpura incident, concerns over water quality have intensified. The municipal corporation recently tested 26 water samples, of which approximately 14 were found to be contaminated. This has raised serious questions about the safety of the city’s drinking water and the effectiveness of monitoring mechanisms. Earlier, contamination was primarily attributed to leakages in the Narmada pipeline network and the mixing of sewage water. However, experts now point to deeper structural and environmental causes. Ageing infrastructure, including 50–60-year-old tube wells with corroded and leaking pipes, is a major factor. Additionally, chemicals released from industrial activities in areas such as Sanwer Road, Palda and Bhagirathpura are seeping into the groundwater, further degrading water quality. Role of rivers in groundwater pollution In most cities, rivers help recharge and improve groundwater quality. However, in Indore, the situation is reversed. The polluted water flowing through the Kanh and Saraswati rivers is contributing to the contamination of both groundwater and the Narmada pipeline system. Reports since December 2025 indicate that nearly 50 per cent of the city’s groundwater is now contaminated, signalling a worsening environmental crisis. Lack of transparency in water quality reporting Experts emphasise that consumers have a right to safe drinking water and access to information about its quality. According to Dr Sharma, regulations require that water quality reports or sample results be provided alongside water bills. In practice, however, this rule is not implemented, leaving residents unaware of the safety of the water they consume. One positive development is a slight reduction in groundwater extraction. The extraction rate stood at 120 per cent in 2022, decreased to 119 per cent in 2023, and further to 118 per cent in 2024. This improvement is largely attributed to above-average rainfall over the past decade, which has helped recharge groundwater reserves. Rising chemical levels signal danger Groundwater expert Dr Sudhindra Mohan Sharma warns that increasing levels of chloride and nitrate indicate growing contamination. Chloride levels up to 250 mg per litre are considered normal, but anything beyond this threshold signals potential risk. In light of recent incidents, including Bhagirathpura, heightened caution and stricter monitoring are urgently required to safeguard public health.