Potable water contaminated in city

INDORE: Potable water samples collected and tested from 141 sources in 10 wards of the city shows that they are highly contaminated and unsafe for use. Bacteria like Escherichia coli (commonly known as E coli) responsible for gastero-intestinal problems and nearly 2,000 other bacteria were found per 100ml of water sample.
The sampling and testing was carried out by NGOs Bhratiya Gramin Mahila Sangh (BGMS) and Water Aid, that released their report at a programme here on Friday.Department of public health and engineering also assisted in the work.
The testing of samples were carried out at the Choithram Research Centre, Indore. The samples were collected from 62 localities in 10 wards and water sources were government undertaken boring, hand pump, private boring, handpump, pond, private well and Narmada connection.
Sharing the report, project coordinator at BGMS Reeta Lahiri said, that in the quality test of water, parameter like presence of bacteria count, hardness of water, coliform formation in water etc were tested. She said that sample was collected from various water sources from each ward and varying result was found. Lahiri added that for example in ward number one maximum amount of bacteria count/100 ml was found to be 2,000, while the minimum was 40, coliform formation per 100 ml water was 100 and minimum was 8.
A common finding in most water sample was presence of E coli, a bacteria which is found in human feces. The bacteria make the water extremely contagious and detriment for health. Lahiri adds, "Due to poor sanitation and inaccessibility to pure form of water, contamination is galore. However, we have taken initiative like forming platform around water source, say, boring or well." The hardness level in water was found to be varying from 150- 500 PPM (parts per million).
The report was also shared with mayor Krishna Murari Moghe, who said that they will take cognizance of the report and will implement preventive measures at a large scale. "We have asked NGOs concerned to give us a list of various water sources in all these 10 wards, which needs to provided with preventive measure like forming cemented platforms," added Moghe. Executive secretary of BGMS Usha Agrawal and members of mohalla committees from 10 wards were also present.
Wards 1, 2, 22, 17, 42, 49, 50, 57, 59 and 69 were covered from where samples were collected.