Thousands of residents across several sectors in Noida, Uttar Pradesh, woke up on Thursday to alarming scenes as dirty, brackish water, ranging in colour from pale yellow to black, flowed from taps in homes,
triggering widespread concern over health risks and prompting anger among residents.
The contaminated supply affected multiple sectors, including Sectors 19, 20 and 40, with more than 25,000 residents reportedly impacted. Many complained the water was unfit not only for drinking but even for basic household use such as cooking, washing and cleaning. While the issue drew widespread attention on Thursday morning, some residents said the problem had begun a day earlier.
According to a report in The Times Of India, residents stated that the supply had already turned brackish on Wednesday in some areas. BB Majumdar, a resident of C Block in Sector 19, said households had been struggling since the previous day. He said the water could not be used even for routine domestic chores and alleged that no water tankers were sent by the Noida Authority despite the worsening situation. The absence of an immediate backup water supply added to the hardship, particularly for families dependent entirely on municipal water.
Black-Coloured Water In Homes Triggers Health Fears
The strongest complaints emerged from Sector 19, where residents said heavily discoloured water reached homes through both kitchen and washroom taps. RC Gupta, president of the Sector 19 Residents Welfare Association (RWA), said videos showing the contaminated supply were circulated among authority officials and resident groups, but no prompt response followed. According to Gupta, dirty black-coloured water was reported around 8:40 am on Thursday in A, B and C blocks of the sector. He sharply criticised the quality of the supply, questioning how such water could be allowed into residential pipelines despite residents regularly paying water charges and repeatedly lodging complaints.
Beyond the immediate shock, residents voiced fears about possible long-term health implications, especially since the contamination was not limited to tap outlets. Adding to concerns, residents said the dirty water had entered overhead storage tanks as well, potentially worsening the impact. Gupta warned that contamination of household storage systems could have prolonged consequences, as even if the main supply improves, cleaning tanks and pipelines in individual homes may take time.
Residents said the foul-smelling and discoloured supply continued into the evening, prolonging uncertainty over whether the issue had been fully resolved. Similar complaints emerged from Sector 40, where residents expressed frustration over recurring water quality problems.
Mohinder Singh of the Sector 40 RWA questioned how often households were expected to clean overhead tanks if untreated and dirty water continued entering the system. The issue, residents said, is not just about one day’s disruption but recurring lapses that place both health and household maintenance under strain.
Yogendra Sharma, president of the Federation of Noida Residents Welfare Associations, said he took up the matter with concerned officials after complaints escalated. According to Sharma, officials assured him the problem would be resolved soon, though the episode has intensified calls for more reliable monitoring and quicker response systems.
Noida Authority Cites Temperature-Induced Scaling
Responding to the complaints, Noida Authority attributed the problem to summer temperatures affecting the water distribution network. According to the TOI report, RP Singh, deputy general manager of the water and sewer department, explained that rising temperatures can loosen mineral scaling inside distribution lines, causing discolouration in the water supply.
According to him, flushing the pipelines is the primary remedy in such cases, and flushing operations were undertaken on Thursday. He stated that the situation had largely been brought under control by evening and assured residents that the following morning’s water supply would be normal.
Pipe Flushing Underway For Four Days
Officials said pipe inspection and flushing work had been ongoing for the past four days to maintain clean and potable water supply. During the exercise, several blockages, described as dead ends, were identified in Sector 19’s water network and are reportedly being addressed.
Authorities indicated that these problematic stretches may have contributed to the contamination and are now under focus for corrective work.
