Balangir: At least 2,500 inhabitants of Saintala are at the risk of contracting kidney-related ailments as they are forced to use water with high fluoride content.

All water available from the five tube wells in the area has high fluoride content, and there are no alternative sources of potable water for the residents of ward Nos. 8 and 9.

Villagers say kidney diseases have claimed several lives and many are suffering.

Sources said the Beniabandh area of Saintala had been the worst affected by the drinking water problem. Few years ago, an initiative had begun to supply drinking water to Baniabandh from a deep bore well. But, the project lies defunct now.

Beniabandh resident Jogeswar Mahanand said the villagers were forced to use the water from the tube wells even though it was unsuitable for drinking. He said: "The village has five tube wells, but the water from them is not suitable for drinking as it contains fluoride. Since there are no other sources of drinking water, we are forced to use this."

He said the fluoride water from the tube wells had led to many suffering from kidney ailments. "There are at least six persons, who have died of kidney ailments, and there are others who are suffering from it. I have kidney problems myself," he said.

Around two years ago, an overhead tank had been constructed by the public health and engineering department of Saintala for supply of water to Deng village and Beniabandh. But, the project lies incomplete.

Assistant engineer of the department, Saintala, Prabhat Sethi said: "The project will ensure drinking water supply to Beniabandh and Deng villages. Water will be lifted from the nearby Lanth river. We have sent an estimate of Rs 17 lakh for the project."