What happened: activists allege fecal (sewage) contamination in drinking water near the Bhopal gas tragedy-affected area

Activists in Madhya Pradesh alleged that drinking water in areas affected by the 1984 Bhopal gas tragedy site contains fecal coliform, which indicates sewage contamination risk. The activists presented community-based testing results to argue that sewage intrusion into drinking-water supply may exist in multiple localities around the defunct Union Carbide factory area.

Reported sampling and test claims by activists (as stated in the news report):

63 drinking water samples were collected from 30 localities around the defunct Union Carbide factory between July 2 and July 22.

43 samples were found sewage-contaminated on activists’ and residents’ tests.