Dhading, Nepal - A recent water quality test has revealed the presence of harmful coliform bacteria in the drinking water distributed in the headquarters area of Nilkantha Municipality, raising serious health concerns among residents.
The District Public Health Office, Dhading, collected water samples from three key sources supplying drinking water in the municipality and sent them to the Provincial Public Health Laboratory for analysis. The test results confirmed that water from two of the sources is unsuitable for human consumption due to contamination by coliform bacteria, commonly found in feces.
Coliform bacteria are known to cause a range of waterborne diseases, including diarrhea, fever, typhoid, and jaundice. The contamination poses a significant health risk, particularly in densely populated areas.
Rajkumar Shrestha, Chairperson of Ward No. 3 of Nilkantha Municipality, has urged residents to boil water before consuming it to minimize the health risks associated with the contamination. “As all the water sources are collected at a single point before distribution, purifying the water before drinking is crucial to prevent waterborne diseases,” he stated.
Local authorities have advised the municipality’s residents to prioritize water purification methods such as boiling or using water treatment solutions until further measures are implemented to address the issue. Efforts are underway to identify the source of contamination and take necessary corrective actions to ensure a safe drinking water supply.
This alarming discovery underscores the critical need for robust water quality management systems and heightened public awareness of safe water practices to safeguard public health.
