Water in Bellary contains bacteria: Govt study

BELLARY: A study conducted by the Bellary district headquarters here has revealed that water supplied by the municipality contains bacteria ten times more than permissible. This means deadly bacteria lurks in every drop of water pumped into lakhs of households in the town. The study conducted by the district surveillance unit in the District Headquarters Hospital tested samples collected at various points of supply and found that bacteria was present.
The health norms prescribe that the presence of the most probable number of bacteria (MPNB) should not exceed 10 parts per 100 million gallons.The satisfactory study for potable (SSP) water found 180 parts per million gallons, which in technical terms is “not satisfactory for potable’’ (NSP). The water samples were collected at random, covering the entire spectrum of the town. Water sample collected from tank located at Telephone Exchange Main, in an October 17 test, showed it was “not satisfactory for potable’’ as it contained 180 parts per 100 million gallons — which, in other words, means 18 times more than the norm. Another test for a water sample from the same source on November confirmed the worst fears. Similar results were found for water sample collected from Srirampur Colony in a November 18 test.
Similarly, water samples from Narayana Rao Park and Gandhinagar Booster tested on November 12 and 18 threw up 180 and 160 parts, which, according to sources, is “alarming’’. Interestingly, raw and untreated water drawn from the Allipur reservoir showed 180 parts per million gallons. That means the municipality is virtually supplying water without the mandatory chemical treatment. Also, water meant for roadside trees and gardens was found “fit’’ enough and tested “negative’’ for bacteria. A result dangerous and heartening at the same time: Heartening because water is indeed being treated and that trees are cared for, and dangerous because humans are not on the same footing as the woods.
The rules stipulate that the water supply agency — either the municipality or the Karnataka Urban Water Supply and Drainage Board — should test water sample at various points of supply every month. It was found that the rules have been observed only in breach. The current study that churned out devastating results was taken up after the Telephone Exchange authorities lodged a complaint with the municipality that fish in their aquarium were dying at an alarming rate.
The water in the aquarium was supplied by the municipality. Then a water sample from the aquarium was put through a study and the results were shocking: 160-180 parts per million gallons. An executive engineer from the Karnataka Urban Water Supply did admit to such severe lapses especially when water is pumped out in “bulk supply’’ such as the one Bellary is witnessing. Not just bacteria, even chlorine contents were found in far excess than permitted — 0.2 particles per million gallons. Throwing up his hands in despair, the engineer averred that if the system were indeed to work in accordance with the set norms, then the “entire network’’ needs to be streamlined.
“Raising alarm or pressing buttons only when stray incidents of supply of contaminated water are reported, will do no good. Streamline the system, is the answer,’’ he added. The municipality officials, including the commissioner, were not available for comment.