In Delhi, safe drinking water has become a costly burden for many poor families. A new survey by Greenpeace India reveals that nearly 34% of low-income households spend as much as 15% of their monthly earnings, between ₹6,000 and ₹10,000, just to buy drinking water.

The survey, conducted across 12 areas including Shakurpur Basti, Savda Ghevra, Seemapuri, and Sangam Vihar, highlights a major gap between water demand and supply. While most families require at least 20–25 litres daily, only 28% actually receive enough, and often only after paying private suppliers. Prices range from ₹15 to ₹30 per gallon, pushing basic water out of reach for many.

Greenpeace points out that this reflects not only poor infrastructure but also inequality in water access. Despite the Delhi government’s April 2025 promise to set up 3,000 water ATMs, only 20 have been installed so far, none in the surveyed areas.

Campaigners say the crisis is not just about pipes and tankers but about fairness. “Water is a basic right, yet for these families it is a daily struggle,” said Vaishali Upadhyay of Greenpeace India.