E.coli alert: Five out of eight water samples ‘fail’ in Dhakoli
Collected randomly from different parts of Dhakoli, the samples were found to be “grossly contaminated” with the bacteria E. coli, the test report has said.
Water samples in Dhakoli, a town in the municipality of Zirakpur, have been found to be unfit for human consumption, a test has revealed.
Collected randomly from different parts of Dhakoli by a team from the department of community medicine, Chandigarh, the samples were found to be “grossly contaminated” with the bacteria E. coli, the test report has said.
E. coli is a type of bacteria that can cause intestinal infections, including diarrhoea, abdominal pain and fever and usually enters the water supply system in spots with poor sanitation.
About eight samples were collected randomly from different parts after cases of diarrhoea were reported from Dhakoli last month.
The community medicine department team had collected water samples on July 31 to check the quantity of chlorine (used to disinfect water).
The test reports released on August 10 revealed that five samples had “failed” while three samples were found fit for drinking.
Health authorities swing into action
The report of all five samples collected have been sent to the health department for further action.
However, health teams swung into action on Tuesday, conducting surveys of the houses where water samples had “failed”.
“When water samples fail the test, our team informs the departments concerned to adopt corrective measures. In some cases, we recommend the change of water source as well,” health officials said.
Meanwhile, when contacted, Manvir Singh Gill, executive officer, municipal council, said, “I have not received the report. Once we get it we will take corrective measures.”
Any contamination found due to seepage will get rectified, he added.
“Once the water is contaminated with E. coli the authorities need to chlorinate it before restarting supply,” Manjeet Singh, senior medical officer, Mohali, said.