Institute of Public Auditors of India conducts study between 2007 and 2010 A large chunk of population of Angul district is exposed to contaminated drinking water, says draft internal audit report on district conducted by Institute of Public Auditors of India (IPAI), Odisha chapter. The Institute of Public Auditors of India analysing tests conducted between 2007 and 2010, say that high percentage of water sources was found to be contaminated. As per guidelines of National Rural Drinking Water Programme (NRDWP), all drinking water sources should be tested at least twice a year for bacteriological contamination and once a year for chemical contamination. The RWSS division Talcher has its own testing centre where water samples collected by field engineers are tested. “Test check of resources disclosed that out of 10,511 spot sources, (tube wells 10,220 and sanitary wells 291) existing in the district, only 1,324 were covered by March 2012 under water quality test while 8187 (78 per cent) left without quality testing,” the draft report says. “It was further revealed that water of 529 sources was not safe for drinking as analytical tests conducted in the laboratory disclosed chemical contamination of water due to excess iron content in water of these sources exceeding the maximum permissible limit of one milligram per litre,” the report points out. Moreover, according to the report, water samples tested from January 2007 to June 2010 from the water sources available in eight blocks of Angul district indicated excess fluoride content beyond maximum permissible limit 1.5 milligram per litre. “Water in 97 water sources was not suitable for human consumption. Despite indication of such chemical contaminations in the test reports, these drinking water sources were neither declared defunct nor were sealed. As a result 0.63 lakh, rural population dependant on these sources were compelled to consume unsafe water,” says report of Institute of Public Auditors of India , which was assigned to conduct audit. Similarly, water sources in 11 habitations in the periphery of NALCO were found to be unsafe for drinking purpose due to existence of excess fluoride content. The public sector unit had agreed to provide piped water supply of these fluoride affected villagers. But the plan could not be materialized. “Villagers who were deprived of getting the benefit of piped water supply are presently getting drinking water from tube wells. But groundwater sources of the periphery villages were unsafe for drinking due to presence of excess fluoride content and villagers are compelled to consume unsafe water,” it says. Ironically, Angul district is centre of thermal power generation in entire State. According to Institute of Public Auditors of India report, test check records and information furnished by the executive engineer revealed that in seven projects constructed at expenditure of Rs. 2.43 crore, there was continuous disruption of water supply due to power supply disturbances. “These projects have been restored after 40 to 60 days. Other three projects have not been restored as yet (March 2013). The reason of disruption was stated to be failure of power supply,” the report says. Out of 10,511 spot sources, only 1,324 covered under water quality test by March 2012 Water samples tested in eight blocks of the district indicate excess fluoride content