JOYNAGAR (South 24-Parganas): Drinking water scarcity is still a major problem for the residents of 100-year-old Joynagar Mazilpur Municipality. Two reservoirs had been inaugurated in the municipality (consisting of 14 wards) from 1978-1980 but 10 years later, drinking water scarcity became an issue again. The lack of maintenance rendered the two reservoirs decrepit resulting in the disruption of water supply. Later a group of scientists found that the water in some wards of the municipality were arsenic contaminated. An NGO undertook a survey of the area and the municipality closed some of the tube-wells afterwards, declaring them as arsenic-affected. The ordeal of the local people has been acute since then as they do not get water from the two reservoirs or the tube-wells. They have to drink pond water which is highly unhygienic. Discontent has been brewing up among the locals as arsenic-free water is being supplied at Bahru, which is adjacent to Joynagar. Two year back the municipality made an effort to reopen the reservoirs. Roads were dug up, pipes were laid bare, but the exercise turned futile. Mr Prasanta Sarkhel, the chairman of the Joynagar Mazilpur Municipality, however, dismissed the problem of water scarcity at Joynagar. He accused the state government for the dilapidated condition of the reservoirs. He told The Statesman that the municipality run by the Congress is being treated in a step-motherly attitude in regards to the allotment and timely release of funds. "Unless the state government deals with the Congress-run civic body fairly, the reservoirs would be lying neglected,' he said.