Bacteria thrive in City water

Faeces from sewage pipes mixing with tap water

A random test of Cauvery water conducted by a City-based laboratory found high levels of bacteria in the form of faecal coliforms and total coliforms and increased pH levels (the acidity or alkaline level of water). The water tested was collected at the source of  pipelines supplying water to houses.

According to Indian Standard Specifications for Drinking Water, potable water must have ‘nil’ coliforms, but the study showed more than 1,600 (most probable number) MPN/10 ml of faecal and total coliforms around Ulsoor Lake area, HAL 2nd Stage and Manjunathanagar near Basaveshwaranagar.

Even the pH level in drinking water in Manjunathanagar, Murphy Town, Ulsoor, HAL 2nd and 3rd Stage, Wilson Garden, Koramangala and Vijayanagar was more than permitted.

“Two months ago when we got the drinking water supplied to our school tested, we were shocked to find that it contained high pH levels and coliforms,” said Manu Rao, Administration in-charge of RBANMS School on Gangadhar Chetty Road.

Most of the water pipelines in the City are as old as 50 years. The pipelines have either developed cracks or corroded making it susceptible to various kinds of contamination.  
Since the Cauvery water supply is irregular, the air in the pipeline provides a breeding ground for the growth of coliforms. During monsoon, when the water pipeline passes through a puddle or a ditch, the chances of stagnant rainwater seeping into the pipeline leading to contamination is very high.

BWSSB’s Engineer in Chief T Venkataraju agreed that most of the pipelines in the City were in need of replacement.

“The incidence of water contamination is high after rains. The BWSSB has already begun replacing old pipes. The people should also alert the Board in case of water contamination,” he said.