Noida: It has been more than 49 years since Noida came into existence, yet the city is still grappling with one of the most necessary aspects of life, that is, clean drinking water. Despite the Supreme Court’s directives issued more than 25 years ago mandating 100% treated and potable water supply within two years, the Noida Authority has failed to deliver.
Supreme Court’s directives ignored
Over two decades ago, the apex court had clearly instructed that adequate capacity water treatment plants (WTPs) must be installed to ensure safe drinking water for all residents. Unfortunately, even after all this time, the promise remains unfulfilled. This raises a serious question: if the Authority has been able to install sewage treatment plants (STPs) to clean drain water, why can’t it set up WTPs to provide safe drinking water?
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A question of priorities, not resources
The Noida Authority is not short of funds. It has been lending crores of rupees to external projects and departments. Yet, when it comes to the health and well-being of its citizens, the will to act decisively seems absent. Supplying clean water is not just a fundamental right of citizens but also the moral responsibility of the Authority.
Water wastage and health hazards
Currently, due to a lack of treated supply, lakhs of households and institutions are forced to rely on alternative measures like RO systems, which waste 70–90% of water. Moreover, mixing untreated tubewell or reini well water with Ganga water not only contaminates the Ganga supply but also renders it unsafe to drink. As a result, even Ganga water has to be re-treated before consumption, an unnecessary and avoidable burden.
A practical solution
Experts and citizen groups have repeatedly highlighted that the answer lies in installing small water treatment plants on reservoir walls. By treating local sources before mixing with Ganga water, residents can finally receive potable water. These WTPs would not require massive investments, yet they could:
Ensure 100% supply of safe drinking water
Prevent wastage of lakhs of litres daily
Optimise the use of scarce Ganga water
Provide relief during the frequent periods when Ganga canal supply is shut down (at least twice every year).
Noida cannot afford to wait any longer
Citizens have lived without safe drinking water for nearly half a century, this is unacceptable for a city that is otherwise positioned as a modern, urban hub.
The demand is clear:
The Authority must formulate and implement a concrete policy immediately to install adequate water treatment plants.
Civil society and resident groups have already extended support; now, the ball lies in the Authority’s court.
Clean water is a right, not a privilege. The longer Noida Authority delays, the more it betrays the trust of its people.