INDIA: Bhaskar Investigation Villagers age prematurely as fluoride water damages health in Sonbhadra

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Villagers age prematurely as fluoride water damages health in Sonbhadra: Locals remain unable to access safe water, government claims 100% coverage

Bhaskar Investigation - October 5, 2025

Raju, a 35-year-old resident of Sonbhadra, Uttar Pradesh, looks far older than his age. Once healthy, he can no longer walk without assistance. His father is bedridden, also weakened by a similar condition. Both father and son are victims of drinking water contaminated with fluoride, arsenic, and other heavy metals—a crisis affecting over 250 villages in Sonbhadra.

Five years ago, the launch of the Jal Jeevan Mission raised hopes of clean water reaching these villages. Government records claim 100% coverage. But in reality, many homes remain without proper water supply, leaving residents forced to drink contaminated water that has caused severe health issues.

Drinking water contaminated with fluoride

Professor Kripa Ram from BHU's Chemistry Department explains that while fluoride is essential for healthy bones, excessive intake can weaken bones and damage the body. The World Health Organization recommends a maximum of 1.5 ppm of fluoride in drinking water. However, in Sonbhadra, fluoride levels range from 12 to 14 ppm.

This excessive fluoride intake has left residents like Raju physically debilitated. His legs are damaged, and he relies on others for basic tasks. Across Sonbhadra, villagers’ bones, teeth, and overall health have deteriorated due to contaminated water.

Gadiya village: Widespread suffering

Gadiya village in Myorpur block presents a stark example. Sixty-year-old Sheela sits under a tree, her back bent. All her family members are affected; her children’s bones are weak, and her younger daughter Santoshi’s teeth are damaged.

Eighteen-year-old Reena, barely 4.5 feet tall, appears like a child due to stunted growth. Villagers rely on handpumps for water, which remains unsafe despite taps being installed under the Jal Jeevan Mission. The water pipelines were either incomplete or not connected, leaving homes without access to clean water.

Incomplete implementation of Jal Jeevan mission

Village head Premchandra Yadav stated that although taps were installed, water did not reach most households. Pipelines remain unlit in many areas, and villagers continue to suffer. Official records falsely report 100% water supply.

Block Head Man Singh Gaur confirmed that while the Jal Jeevan Mission has been launched, the benefits are largely invisible in the region. Villagers are falling ill, and the mission’s work remains incomplete.

Kusmaha village: Chronic water shortage

In Kusmaha village, surrounded by rocky hills, residents face similar hardships. Tap connections exist, but water does not flow. Sushil Kumar Gautam said over 500 people are sick from drinking fluoride-laden water. Tankers from Hindalco supply some water, but it is insufficient.

Ahmatia, another villager, walks with a limp due to weakened bones. New brides like Prabhavati fear future disability because of continued consumption of contaminated water.

Kachnarwa village: Physical damage across generations

In Kachnarwa, Sumariya’s legs are crooked, forcing her to walk slowly. Her 26-year-old daughter, Sushma, suffers the same fate. Amit’s 12-year-old son shows stunted growth and struggles to walk. Fulwanti Devi’s son has a protruding chest and back bones, while his teeth are yellowed and disfigured.

Raju, another resident, has been unable to sit or stand properly for five years. His mother, Mishri, manages both father and son alone, running household chores while battling poverty and lack of medical care.

Discrepancy between records and reality

Despite the hardships, the Jal Jeevan Mission website reports 100% water coverage in villages like Gadiya, Kusmaha, and Kachnarwa. Residents, however, wait years for water to arrive at their homes.

Phoolkumari in Govindpur village complained that although taps were installed, water never flowed. Neighbor Phulwa Devi suffers from knee problems due to contaminated water.

Clean water sources exist, but distribution fails

At Jheelo village, a water treatment plant supplies clean water to 178 villages with pre- and post-chlorination. Tests confirm no excessive fluoride, arsenic, lead, or mercury. However, this clean water fails to reach villages like Kusmaha and Kachnarwa due to distribution gaps.

Social activist Jagat Narayan emphasized the urgency: “If the tap water is clean, it must reach the villages immediately. Current drinking water contains heavy metals that are damaging health.”

Khamaria village: Water scarcity persists

In Khamaria, taps exist, but water flows only once every 10–15 days. Tariq, a villager, has repeatedly complained to authorities with no improvement. The Jal Jeevan Mission website continues to claim 100% coverage, highlighting the discrepancy between official reports and ground reality.

Officials’ statement: Focus on groundwater problem

XEN Jal Jeevan Mission Rural Arun Kumar Singh clarified that illnesses are primarily due to drinking contaminated groundwater, handpump, and tubewell water. Rajasekhar, MD of Jal Jeevan Mission Gramin, assured that pending works would be completed under Operation & Maintenance, aiming to provide water to unserved households.

Villagers’ desperate plight

Residents continue to drink unsafe water due to delayed pipeline installation and irregular water supply. Elderly, children, and adults face chronic illnesses caused by fluoride and other contaminants. The physical and emotional toll is immense, with families struggling for survival and basic health.

Conclusion: Urgent need for action

Despite years of Jal Jeevan Mission implementation, more than 250 villages in Sonbhadra remain deprived of clean drinking water. Villagers face long-term health consequences, with many physically disabled due to fluoride-contaminated water. While water treatment plants exist, inefficient distribution and incomplete pipelines prevent safe water from reaching those in need. Immediate intervention is essential to save lives and restore health in these affected villages.

SOURCE:
https://www.bhaskarenglish.in/local/utt ... 01916.html