Not only dirty water, increase in ailments also cause concern

With the rise in number of unfit water samples in the city, there has been a consequent increase in the outbreak of diseases.

This may not come as a surprise.

HT Image

With the rise in number of unfit water samples in the city, there has been a consequent increase in the outbreak of diseases.

Residents have been complaining of various water-borne diseases such as gastroenteritis, cholera and typhoid since monsoon arrived in the city.

Maximum cases are from wards that receive the most contaminated water. For instance, B ward, which includes areas such as Dongri and Pydhonie, has witnessed maximum cases of gastroenteritis as 20% of the samples collected were declared unfito consume.

Also in the list are areas such as Byculla Sewree and Kalachowkie in E ward where three water samples have tested positive for the E col bacteria, which can cause serious infections and leads to diseases such as diarrhoea.

Contaminated water also carries viruses such as Hepatitis A and E, which cause jaundice.

In June this year, 1,297 people were treated for gastroenteritis 79 cases of typhoid, 21 leptospirosis cases, and 12 cases of cholera were also registered.

However, civic officials have requested citizens to take precautions and boil water before consuming it.

The BMC’s ambitious project, the Water Distribution Improvement Programme (WDIP), is yet to be implemented.

The five-year long project would have ensured repairs of leaking pipelines, replacing old pipes and clean drinking water supply.