Greater Noida:

Laboratory tests on samples taken from the complex’s overhead and underground tanks revealed alarming levels of faecal contamination. The sprawling condominium, home to more than 8,000 people across 15 towers, has now become the centre of urgent intervention efforts. Health officials have advised residents to immediately cease drinking tap water and to use only boiled or packaged water until further notice.

A major public health scare has gripped Ajnara Homes in Greater Noida’s Sector 16B, where over 400 residents have been struck down with diarrhoea, vomiting, and fever after consuming contaminated water. The outbreak, which unfolded over the first two weeks of April, has been linked to the presence of E.Coli bacteria in the residential water supply. Chlorine treatments are already under way, with a formal advisory from the health department expected shortly. Further laboratory analysis also uncovered dangerously high alkaline levels in the water, that is 285 mg/L in overhead tanks and 260 mg/L underground, far exceeding permissible standards.

What can presence of E. Coli bacteria in drinking water lead to?

Fearing for their health, many residents have already switched to packaged water or installed reverse osmosis (RO) systems at home. However, the crisis has reignited anger among homeowners, who allege that despite paying regular maintenance fees, building management failed to ensure basic water safety.

Medical experts have warned that E.Coli, although sometimes present harmlessly in the human gut, can cause serious infections if left untreated. Exposure to the bacteria can lead to infectious diarrhoea, sepsis, and even multi-organ failure, often spreading through the oral-faecal route, contact with contaminated surfaces, undercooked meat, or sewage mixing with drinking water.

GNIDA imposed Rs 25 lakh penalty on builder earlier

The Greater Noida Industrial Development Authority (GNIDA) had previously fined the builder Rs 25 lakh for lapses and ordered an immediate cleaning of the water tanks. Officials have also called for a swift transfer of maintenance duties to Apartment Owners Associations (AOAs) to better safeguard residents’ interests in future.

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