NAGAON, August 3: After detection of fluoride and iron in underground water sources in different areas under Hojai subdivision, the PHE Hojai division has implemented different water supply schemes including installation of wells and tube wells, piped water supply scheme, fluoride-free water in fluoride-prone areas, testing of drinking water under the National Rural Drinking Water Quality Monitoring (NRDWQM) programme during the last 20 years to redress the problem of contaminated water in Nagaon district. It may be mentioned that several persons including children have suffered from early decay of teeth, deformation of legs, due to fluoride and iron content in water particularly in Urdhaganga under Akashiganga Gaon Panchayat situated at the border of Karbi Anglong district, about 8 km from Doboka. It is learnt that the PHE department, Hojai has commissioned the Urdhaganga piped water supply scheme at a height of 4 km from the ground level at the cost of 68 lakh at the Eastern part of Hojai subdivision last year. However, another project, the integrated Hatimura-Dakhinkenduri Water Supply Scheme at the Western part of Hojai subdivision on the bank of river Kapili under Accelerated Rural Programme Scheme is in incomplete stage. Source said that iron and fluoride content in ground water sources were detected after testing of water in fringe riverain areas along both the banks of river Kapili. The source also informed that the ongoing Rs 1.57 crore project would be completed and the PHE would be able to provide safe drinking water to fluoride-affected and iron-affected villages of Nagaon. The source also added, out of 17 piped water supply schemes, a few of them have already been completed in the last two years at the cost of Rs 293.29 lakh in Hojai sub division and also four schemes under Accelerated Rural Programme at the cost of Rs 58.976 lakh. According to the source, the funding pattern of the scheme is three-tier, with 75 per cent for Government of India, 25 per cent for the State Government and 10 per cent beneficiaries share of total distribution cost. The source further said that 80 per cent work of the project has been completed except the external electrification. It is also learnt that during the last two years, this division was allotted Rs 8.99 crore from different heads to undertake the projects of the subdivision. In this connection, the Executive Engineer PHE, Hojai took steps to revive the 26 defunct schemes and out of those three have been made functional and another five are on the verge of functioning. He also said, 319 tarahand pumps, 316 RCC ring wells, 44 mark-II hand pumps, 18 singur pumps besides 17 PWSS have already been completed. Moreover, he also made payment of earlier work to seven contractors, an amount of Rs 153.18 lakh.