Union minister for drinking water and sanitation Birendra Singh said that Rajasthan is worst affected by water contamination in the country and 22,254 habitations in the state are yet to be provided with safe drinking water. Replying to a question in Rajya Sabha on August 3, the minister presented the dismal picture of drinking water in Rajasthan. He said that there are 7,056 habitations in the state which are severely affected by fluoride. Apart from that, there are 14 iron-affected habitations, 13,814 salinity (dissolved solids) affected and 1,370 nitrate affected habitations which are yet to be provided with potable water in Rajasthan. The minister further added that the reason for water contamination is excess of arsenic, fluoride and iron in nature. The nitrate contamination in drinking water is due to leaching from toilets and excessive use of fertilisers. The minister's revelation is extension of Union water resources ministry's report which highlighted that villages in Rajasthan are worst off in contaminated water. The report also noted that a huge population is at the risk of a serious health condition like skeletal fluorosis. The fluoride contamination also affects the teeth and bones and excessive long-term exposure causes abdominal pain, excessive saliva, nausea, vomiting, seizures and muscle spasms. The Union health ministry has also urged the Rajasthan government to ensure the supply of safe drinking water in these habitats. However, the Centre shifted the complete onus on state asserting that rural drinking water is a state subject. It issued an advisory for providing safe drinking water through piped water supply schemes preferably from surface water sources in case of arsenic and fluoride-affected habitations. Meanwhile, the state government is already working to set up community water purification plants to provide 8-10 litres per capita per day (LPCD) of safe drinking water for drinking and cooking purposes in areas affected by fluoride, arsenic, heavy metals and pesticides in the state. "The chief minister had recently asked the collectors to ensure that these plants are installed immediately and remain operational," said a PHED official.