Trichy: Sending jitters to Trichy residents, a laboratory test conducted on drinking water samples collected from four different residential locations near Trichy airport has revealed that the water supplied by the city corporation is not suitable for consumption. The test report issued by the district public health laboratory concluded that all four samples had the presence of coliform bacteria.
Official sources said cases of typhoid and suspected jaundice were reported in ward number 37 in Ponmalai zone covering areas adjoining Pudukottai NH, Wireless Road and KK Nagar near the airport. Suspecting poor water quality, Trichy corporation on October 12 collected the four water samples including from corporation water taps in households, a public street and near the overhead water tank. The test result, a copy of which is with TOI, revealed on October 16 that all four samples have coliform bacteria as a result of possible sewage contamination of drinking water. Apart from individual household water taps, a public water tap of Trichy corporation from where residents in bulk collect water was also found contaminated. Possibly, a large section of the population in the localities had consumed the contaminated water. The report from the public health lab in Manapparai has suggested cleaning the overhead water tanks.
There are about 140 overhead tanks (OHT) in the city. Since most parts of the wards are supplied water from a common tank, questions are raised about the quality of water in other areas. “Not all families can afford RO water system. Trichy corporation must check water quality in other corporation wards too,” H Ghouse Baig, a consumer activist said. The civic body has stepped up the chlorination process to neutralise bacteria in drinking water. “We are conducting fever camps in the vulnerable streets. Residents have been advised to drink boiled water. Underground contamination, if any, will be addressed. Water tanks are being cleaned,” an official with Trichy corporation said.