Lamjung, July 14 - A recent water quality assessment conducted by the Provincial Public Health Office in Lamjung has revealed a serious public health concern, with the majority of the district's drinking water sources and supply schemes found to be unsafe for direct consumption due to fecal contamination.
According to the laboratory findings, water samples were collected from 129 sources across the district, of which 98 sources (77%) tested positive for contamination. Similarly, among 86 operational drinking water supply schemes, 70 schemes (81%) were found to be supplying water that is unsafe for drinking without treatment.
The tests detected Escherichia coli (E. coli) bacteria in most of the contaminated samples, indicating fecal pollution. Health officials warn that consuming untreated water contaminated with E. coli can significantly increase the risk of waterborne diseases such as diarrhea, cholera, and typhoid, particularly during the monsoon season when water sources are more vulnerable to contamination.
Senior Public Health Officer Shailendra Kumar Singh, Chief of the Provincial Public Health Office, said the findings indicate that only a small proportion of residents are currently using safe drinking water. He urged the public to boil or properly treat drinking water before consumption and emphasized the need for greater public awareness regarding water safety.
Singh also stressed that ensuring safe drinking water requires regular water quality monitoring, protection of water sources, improved sanitation, and effective management of distribution systems. He called on local governments, drinking water user committees, and relevant agencies to strengthen source conservation and improve drinking water management.
Health professionals have likewise advised households to remain vigilant by boiling or purifying suspicious water before drinking and maintaining the cleanliness of water sources and pipelines.
The findings also highlight a major challenge facing Lamjung's ongoing "One House, One Tap" campaign. While household tap connections continue to expand across the district, the latest assessment suggests that access to piped water does not necessarily guarantee access to safe drinking water.
Chief of the Federal Drinking Water and Sewerage Management Office, Lamjung, Utsav Pokhrel, noted that ensuring every household receives clean and safe drinking water has become an increasingly complex challenge as water supply infrastructure expands.
The report underscores the urgent need to complement infrastructure development with stronger water quality surveillance, source protection measures, and community awareness to safeguard public health.
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