The Times of India 06.08.2010
How safe is the water you drink?
BANGALORE: Water samples drawn from many parts of the state don't meet public health standards, tests by the Public Health Institute (PHI) have shown.
This monsoon, faecal coliforms have been found in water throughout Karnataka.
When TOI accessed the monthly reports of water samples sent to PHI, it was found that the status was deplorable, with the number of unfit samples increasing from 55% in May 2010 to 63% in July.
The samples unfit for drinking were 33% in July last year which increased to 63% this time.
Not just that, even mineral water samples were found to be badly contaminated. Two samples tested recently at the PHI lab were found to be infected with 1,800 organisms.
Water samples from various parts of BBMP limits, public health centre (PHC) areas, and private institutions are sent to PHI regularly to be tested for contamination.
For instance, 228 samples were sent to PHI in May, of which 126 (55.26%) tested unfit for drinking. In June, 207 samples were sent, and 130 (62.80%) were unfit for drinking. In July, 240 were tested and 151 (63%) were declared unfit again.
"More than 40% of samples have come from the BBMP. Since a very high number of samples sent to us is contaminated with coliforms, we direct people who have brought the samples to chlorinate the water and get samples tested more frequently to be sure of the quality. We are not sure whether they follow our suggestions," said the assistant bacteriologist at PHI.
The contamination was found higher in borewells than from other sources. In June, of 62 water samples taken from borewells, 40 were found unfit for drinking. Of 11 water samples from open wells, eight were unfit. PHI received 106 samples of tap water, mostly Cauvery drinking water, of them 67 were unfit for drinking.
CHEMICAL PARAMETERS FLOUTED
Chemical examination for 14 parameters of water samples is done to test for various contaminants including fluoride and nitrate.
In May, 75 samples were sent to the chemical examination lab of PHI and 24 were found to be unfit. In June, 69 samples were sent, of which 14 were unfit and in July, out of 74 samples, 19 were unfit.
"Depending on the area, contamination of fluoride and nitrate is higher. For instance, near Tumkur and Pavagada, fluoride contamination is very high, whereas in North Karnataka, alkalinity, hardness and nitrate contamination is higher," an official with PHI Chemical lab said.
Last month, Ramaiah College students brought three samples of water and all were unfit in terms of medical parameters.
This monsoon, faecal coliforms have been found in water throughout Karnataka.
When TOI accessed the monthly reports of water samples sent to PHI, it was found that the status was deplorable, with the number of unfit samples increasing from 55% in May 2010 to 63% in July.
The samples unfit for drinking were 33% in July last year which increased to 63% this time.
Not just that, even mineral water samples were found to be badly contaminated. Two samples tested recently at the PHI lab were found to be infected with 1,800 organisms.
Water samples from various parts of BBMP limits, public health centre (PHC) areas, and private institutions are sent to PHI regularly to be tested for contamination.
For instance, 228 samples were sent to PHI in May, of which 126 (55.26%) tested unfit for drinking. In June, 207 samples were sent, and 130 (62.80%) were unfit for drinking. In July, 240 were tested and 151 (63%) were declared unfit again.
"More than 40% of samples have come from the BBMP. Since a very high number of samples sent to us is contaminated with coliforms, we direct people who have brought the samples to chlorinate the water and get samples tested more frequently to be sure of the quality. We are not sure whether they follow our suggestions," said the assistant bacteriologist at PHI.
The contamination was found higher in borewells than from other sources. In June, of 62 water samples taken from borewells, 40 were found unfit for drinking. Of 11 water samples from open wells, eight were unfit. PHI received 106 samples of tap water, mostly Cauvery drinking water, of them 67 were unfit for drinking.
CHEMICAL PARAMETERS FLOUTED
Chemical examination for 14 parameters of water samples is done to test for various contaminants including fluoride and nitrate.
In May, 75 samples were sent to the chemical examination lab of PHI and 24 were found to be unfit. In June, 69 samples were sent, of which 14 were unfit and in July, out of 74 samples, 19 were unfit.
"Depending on the area, contamination of fluoride and nitrate is higher. For instance, near Tumkur and Pavagada, fluoride contamination is very high, whereas in North Karnataka, alkalinity, hardness and nitrate contamination is higher," an official with PHI Chemical lab said.
Last month, Ramaiah College students brought three samples of water and all were unfit in terms of medical parameters.
