Bolangir: Squirming with worms, the water supplied by the Public Health Division (PHD) has become a major source of concern for the residents of Bolangir town. The residents of ward no. 10 of the municipality have alleged they have been getting the worm-infested water for the past one month.
The PHD supplies water in most parts of the town through pipes, but as the department has not carried repair work since a long time, the pipes are damaged and drain water is seeping into them thereby mixing with the potable water, reports said.
"The water is really filthy and red in colour. Besides, the foul smell of the water is unbearable. It has been around a month that we are facing the problem and the concerned authorities are not taking any concrete steps to resolve the issue. Without any alternatives, we are forced to go to fetch water from far off places," said a resident of ward no. 10.
Another local alleged, "We have informed the matter to the concerned department and the junior engineer. But no official has even visited the locality to examine the situation."
"Forget drinking, we cannot even bath or wash dishes or clothes with the water. We will definitely invite diseases if we consume the pale worm-infested water," said another local.
On being asked by OTV, the PHD officials said that the municipality is constructing a guard wall near the area and it has damaged the pipeline due to which drain water is entering the pipes.
The officials also assured that the matter will be resolved at the earliest.