'Unsafe water for half of city' (Times of India 21 June 2012)

NEW DELHI: Almost half of Delhi is drinking unsafe water, says North Delhi Municipal Corporation. Last week, the civic agency tested 258 water samples across its six zones, of which 50% have turned out to be unsafe. In Narela, all 50 samples were not fit for drinking while 85% of samples taken in Civil Lines Zone had turned out to be unsafe. Delhi Jal Board has rubbished the reports. "Even DJB does sampling; the corporation has taken samples unscientifically. They collect samples from underground tanks or somebody's coolers. If half of Delhi is drinking unsafe water, all hospital beds in the city would be full by now. They (corporations) are supposed to be doing joint sampling with us but they aren't as their public health department manipulates the report under the influence of deliberative wing," alleges Sanjam Chima, DJB spokesperson. She adds if the corporation has stumbled upon such findings, it should inform DJB first but it didn't. Corporation officials claim the report is prepared after the samples clear all scientific methods required.