46 pc of water samples fail quality test in Patiala

Karam Prakash

Tribune News Service

Patiala, January 9

Results of water samples tested by the health authorities in the district show that residents are at a risk of contracting waterborne diseases as 46 per cent of the water samples in the district were found ‘unfit for drinking’.

Out of the total 533 samples collected by the Health Department, 245 failed to clear the “potability” test. The samples were of underground water, canal water and reverse osmosis (RO) water being used in schools, other public and private places, including eateries in the district.

Health officials said a majority of the water samples which failed the test had bacteria in them.

Dr Malkiat Singh, Assistant Health Officer, said: “A majority of the water samples collected from different sources had bacterial contamination. At some places, the TDS level of water was found higher than the permissible limit for human consumption.”

Singh said apart from bacterial contamination and higher TDS level, several water samples had a higher concentration of trace elements which included magnesium and calcium.

According to the records given by the Health Department, 54 per cent of waters samples of the Municipal Corporation failed the quality the test. As many as 59 out of the 110 water samples were found ‘non-potable’.

Shockingly, 78 per cent water samples of the Punjab Water Supply were found ‘unfit for drinking’ by the Health Department officials. As many as 14 samples out of 18 did not pass the quality test.

Further, 34 per cent of waters samples collected from the government schools failed the test. Water was also found unfit for drinking at government offices and residential areas — 52 per cent of the water samples from government offices failed the quality parameters and 125 out of the 287 water samples from residential areas were unfit for drinking.

Dr Malkiat Singh said: “When a water sample is found non-potable, our team informs the departments concerned to adopt corrective measures. In some cases, we also recommend the change of water source. Our teams check heavy metal, bacteria combination, and chemicals in water.”