Health Crisis in Amalner Due to Contaminated Water

Kohinoor Khatik fell ill with vomiting and diarrhea earlier this month and received a diagnosis of a water-borne illness from a doctor. Her husband, Jalil, spent Rs 800 on medicines. They blame poor sanitation in their neighborhood in Maharashtra’s Jalgaon district for the frequent illnesses, particularly the contaminated water around the community toilet near their home in Amalner town. The waste overflows every time someone uses the toilet, and the septic tank has never been cleaned. The constant medical expenses place a strain on their modest income from a small butcher shop.

Maharashtra Sees Surge in Diarrheal Diseases

Maharashtra has experienced a sharp rise in water-borne illnesses. From 2022 to 2024, cases of acute diarrheal diseases like cholera, typhoid, and gastroenteritis increased by 80%. In 2024, the state reported 1.95 lakh cases, up from 1.35 lakh in 2023 and 1.08 lakh in 2022. In Jalgaon, where the Khatiks live, cases surged by 219% over the last three years.

Faulty Septic Tanks Fuel the Crisis

A recent UNICEF Mumbai study links poorly constructed septic tanks under the Swachh Bharat Mission to rising water contamination and diarrheal diseases. The study highlights that improper construction and delayed maintenance are worsening the crisis. Yusuf Kabir of UNICEF Mumbai explained that the issue lies in how septic tanks are built and managed, not in the tanks themselves.

Septic Tank Issues Across Rural Maharashtra

The Swachh Bharat Mission, launched in 2014, caused a sharp rise in septic tank usage, particularly in rural areas. Maharashtra installed over 4.3 million septic tanks. However, many of these tanks are now overdue for cleaning, which contributes to groundwater contamination. A survey by the All India Institute of Local Self Government (AIILSG) revealed that 78% of septic tanks built between 2000 and 2020 have never been emptied.

The Growing Problem of Overflowing Tanks

Septic tanks require emptying every 3-5 years. If neglected, faecal matter overflows and contaminates the soil and water supply. Municipal authorities have never cleaned the septic tanks of residents like Kabir Mujawar in Jalgaon and Shaukat Fakir in Amalner, despite it being their responsibility.

Lack of Oversight in Rural Areas

Urban areas have municipal bodies responsible for cleaning septic tanks, but rural areas lack such oversight. This accountability gap worsens the sanitation crisis in rural Maharashtra, leaving residents like the Khatiks to suffer.

Source: scroll.in