Shivpuri (Madhya Pradesh), July 22 Contaminated water in Karera Block of Madhya Pradesh's Shivpuri district, has posed serious threat to residents' health in many villages here.

The water contaminated by excessive quantity of fluoride in scores of villages.

Though the district administration has set up fluoride filter plants, they hardly function leaving everyone to drink contaminated water.

Villagers say that their repeated pleas to the concerned authorities about danger posed to them by contaminated water have fallen on deaf ears.

Villagers have developed various health problems due to contaminated water.

"Fluoride contamination causes pain in joints, yellowish layer on teeth including loss of teeth at an early age and also early death. We were provided fluoride filter pump for drinking water purpose. Our village has a population of 150 houses and the tank can fulfil the needs of just 50 households," says Panna Lal Kevat, a resident of Phoolpur village.

Villagers complain of other problems related to electricity, improper functioning of generators and water purifying medicines which are either no more in working condition or have exceeded expiry dates.

The authorities, however, deny about the presence of any such problem in water due to fluoride related contamination.

"Presently there is no illness due to fluoride contamination because in the letter sent to the Chief Medical Officer by the District Health officer, it was written that at present there is no illness prevailing in the district from the fluoride contamination. We have arranged distribution of water from Kanker and when there is no electricity, the generator helps in doing the same. We have sent estimates for its repair," said R. N. Srivastava, Assistant Engineer, Karera Block, Shivpuri, Madhya Pradesh. By Ashok Pal (ANI)