The presence of lead in water was harming the IQ of children in a big way and immediate steps must be taken to control this, said Giridhar J Gyani, secretary general of the Quality Control of India (QCI). Speaking to reporters Giridhar said, "Those in the 0 to 7 age group are severely affected followed by those in the 7 to 14 age group,' he said. The permissible limit of lead in water was below 15 micrograms per litre in developed nations presently, while India was still clinging to the 1976 standards and permitted 50 micrograms per litre. "Even this is not regulated properly and water samples taken from many parts in Karnataka and other States recently revealed 150 to 200 micrograms in a litre,' he added. Dr Thuppil Venkatesh, Adviser (health), QCI, said the presence of a toxic substance like lead in oil paints and batteries were very harmful to children. "Most of oil paints manufactured in the country contained lead and the Ministry of Environment is therefore working on a legislation to regulate this,' he said. Suresh Lal Goklaney, Managing Director of Eureka Forbes Ltd said the the company's purification systems had inbuilt carbon which absorbed lead and ensured the water was pure. At a function organised to mark the day at Bal Bhavan later, environmentalist Suresh Heblikar said that 80 types of water-borne diseases affected people in the country. "Hydrogen extracted from water is used as fuel for vehicles in Canada and water holds great potential of emerging as a source of fuel in the future,' he added. Students belonging to 15 colleges in the City were given grants for various projects relating to the presence of lead in water, milk, plants and soils. Suchitra Film Society and CMS Vatavaran are hosting a three-day film fest to celebrate World Forestry Day and Water Day from March 22 to 24. Screenings are at Suchitra auditorium at 5. 30 p.m. Contact 26711785 or email suchitrafilmsociety@gmail.com HIGHLIGHTS Bangalore Water Supply and Sewerage Board, for whom World Water Day is most relevant, did not celebrate the day as it was a government holiday. It plans to celebrate the day on March 26. In contrast, the Bangalore Development Authority celebrated the day by holding a camp on conservation of lakes.