Last December, Indore in Madhya Pradesh made headlines when several people died and over 100 were hospitalised after consuming contaminated drinking water. The tragedy highlighted a grim reality facing many Indian cities—water quality issues pose not only an inconvenience but a serious public health threat.
While Indore’s crisis made national headlines, our own Shillong has been grappling with its own silent but widespread water quality problems. Though the problem has not turned fatal so far, but it is deeply concerning nonetheless.
Shillong, known for its scenic hills and rivers, might seem far removed from headlines about contaminated water. Yet, recent laboratory analyses and environmental testing show that water supplied to residents in large parts of the city is unsafe for drinking and other household uses.
Earlier, Meghalaya Monitor had reported about untreated sewage water being discharged into the streams in the city.
In 2023, an alarming report revealed that in 44 out of 46 localities of the city, drinking water samples failed to meet safe quality standards due to microbial contamination and chemical imbalances.
This conversation matters because unlike isolated events, water contamination here is systemic—affecting most parts of the city and posing long-term health and infrastructure challenges.
How bad is the water quality in Shillong?
The State Food Testing Laboratory found that samples of water from almost all localities in the city contained unsafe levels of contaminants. The samples had faecal contamination, showed high acid levels and high turbidity and elevated iron content.
Such contaminated water cannot be considered safe for drinking, cooking, or even bathing without adequate treatment, and if used over longer durations, can contribute to chronic illnesses, especially among vulnerable sections like children and elders.
Why is Shillong’s water so bad?
Several interconnected factors contribute to the poor quality of water in Shillong. Among them are pollution of source rivers and streams, inadequate sewage infrastructure and ageing distribution system.
Rivers that feed the drinking water supply are contaminated with human waste and garbage. Sewage discharge into these water bodies has significantly increased their biological oxygen demand and faecal coliform counts, indicating that untreated waste is entering waterways.
Shillong lacks proper sewage treatment facilities. And this has been a long-standing problem, but so far, no solution has been found.
Also, the water distribution network in the city has aged pipes that can allow contaminants to enter the system through leaks and backflow—worsening quality even if treatment at the source were adequate.
Combined, these factors create a situation where untreated or poorly treated water enters households, exposing residents to pathogens and chemical problems long before any filtration or boiling.
Addressing Shillong’s water crisis requires a multi-pronged approach, including strengthening sewage treatment, regular and transparent water testing, treatment at source and household levels and public awareness.
There is an imminent need to upgrade sewage infrastructure to prevent untreated waste from entering rivers. Also, frequent, publicly accessible water quality testing should be institutionalised to monitor contaminants and keep citizens informed.
The government must invest in modern water treatment at the supply side. Simultaneously, citizens should be educated about water safety practices—such as boiling and using certified filtration—until systemic improvements are in place.
While the tragic deaths linked to contaminated water in Indore brought national attention to water safety, Shillong’s situation is no less serious. With faecal contamination, acidic water, and polluted distribution networks affecting most localities, the city’s water is unsafe for drinking and poses broader public health risks. Ensuring safe, clean water for Shillong isn’t just an environmental obligation but a social imperative.
