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Several families in Indore are reportedly selling their jewellery and household valuables to install RO water purifiers, hoping to protect themselves from contaminated water
Indore water contamination crisis, had triggered a public health debate, that do RO systems and water purifiers actually make water safe to drink. (PTI/News18)
The water that flowed through household taps in Indore‘s Bhagirathpura area was meant to sustain life. Instead, in what has now emerged as a grave case of water contaminationit claimed at least 18 lives and left hundreds hospitalised with severe vomiting, diarrhoea and organ complications. As fear spreads through the locality, residents say panic has set in, with many rushing to install RO water purifiers in the hope of protecting themselves from further harm.
A report by News18 Hindi said several families were selling jewellery and household valuables to install RO water purifiers, hoping to protect themselves from further harm. The water contamination crisis, however, has triggered a larger public health debate, that do RO systems and water purifiers actually make water safe to drink.
Manufacturers of RO purifiers routinely claim their products remove dirt, bacteria, viruses and harmful chemicals, delivering water that is “completely safe”. But scientific evidence suggests these claims may be overstated. Research conducted by the National Institute of Virology found that most commonly used water purifiers are unable to fully eliminate waterborne viruses such as Hepatitis E. As a result, RO-treated water cannot be considered entirely risk-free.
To examine these claims, News18 Hindi spoke to leading medical experts. Dr Piyush Ranjan, Vice Chairperson at the Institute of Liver, Gastroenterology and Pancreaticobiliary Sciences at Sir Ganga Ram Hospital, said there is limited scientific evidence to conclusively prove that RO systems can remove bacteria from drinking water, and even weaker evidence when it comes to viruses. “If there is any suspicion of water contamination, boiling is far safer than relying on RO systems or filters,” he said.
Dr Deepak Gunjan, Additional Professor in the Department of Gastroenterology at AIIMS New Delhi, echoed this caution. He explained that while filtration can remove certain pathogens, its effectiveness depends entirely on the type of filtration used. “Many filtration methods also remove essential minerals from water. Boiling remains the oldest and simplest method of purification, although it may slightly alter the taste,” he said. He added that if water contains visible dirt or sediment, basic filtering may be required before boiling, but otherwise filtration is not always necessary.
Both experts stressed that boiling water is a more reliable option from a hygiene perspective. Dr Ranjan said contaminated water can often be identified when multiple people fall ill after drinking from a common source. “In such cases, that water source should be stopped immediately,” he said.
Dr Gunjan noted that smell, appearance and taste can sometimes indicate poor water quality, but warned that many dangerous pollutants cannot be detected through the senses and require laboratory testing. He emphasised that monitoring water quality is the responsibility of public agencies tasked with ensuring safe distribution.
Concerns around RO water extend beyond infection risks. According to the World Health Organisation, long-term consumption of RO water may have adverse health effects. Experts point out that RO systems remove more than 90% of essential minerals such as calcium and magnesium, leading some studies to suggest that RO water may, in certain situations, be more harmful than ordinary tap water.
Indore, India, India
January 08, 2026, 2:25 PM IST
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