Even before the onset of summer, several areas of the city are facing a lack of potable water supply, and bacterial contamination has been detected in the drinking water. The Health Department conducted sampling after recently receiving reports regarding the supply of contaminated water in various localities. The Health Department collected 10 samples from different areas, three of which were found to have failed the tests. After collection, the water samples were sent to the State Public Health Laboratory, Punjab (Kharar), for analysis. According to the report received today, three out of these 10 samples were indeed found to be substandard.
According to the laboratory report, bacterial contamination was detected in these samples. Specifically, a Most Probable Number (MPN) of 15 for Coliform bacteria was found. The areas where samples failed include two from Sikligar Basti and one from the upscale locality of Pratap Nagar. These samples were collected by the Health Department directly from household water taps. Significantly, only one sample was collected from Pratap Nagar; the situation could become even clearer if samples were collected from other households in the area as well.
Sanjeev Kumar, the owner of the house where the sample failed, stated that sewage water had been mixing with the drinking water supply in his home—resulting in the supply of black, contaminated water. He lodged a complaint with the Health Department regarding this issue, following which a sample was collected from his residence. He had already suspected that the sample would fail. The department collected only a single sample from the entire locality; if samples were to be collected from other locations as well, the results could prove to be even more alarming. He has urged the Municipal Corporation to take appropriate measures in this regard to ensure the situation is brought under control in a timely manner.
**Such Bacteria Can Spread Disease**
Based on the failed samples, the Health Department has deemed the water unfit for consumption, making it evident that there is a risk of disease outbreaks caused by these bacteria. It is noteworthy that last year as well, diseases spread in several locations—including the village of Alipur—due to the mixing of sewage water with the drinking water supply. If appropriate measures are not taken in a timely manner this time as well, such a situation could arise again. Therefore, the Health Department should conduct sampling and testing across all areas.
