Hyderabad Water Board probe E.coli bacteria in water

Hyderabad: In response to a DC report about the city’s water containing faecal bacteria or e.coli published on March 27, Water Board managing director B. Janardhan Reddy reviewed the quality of drinking water on Monday.

“Complaints about bad water in Kameshwar Rao Nagar of Saroor-nagar, Rajivnagar and Ambedkarnagar of Al-wal, Prince Bodyguard Lane of Malakpet and Church Colony, Gokul-nagar of Ramanthapur areas was rectified immediately and pres-ently potable water is being supplied,” the Water Board said.

According to Board officials, the Institute of Health Systems had tested 11,247 samples up to March 24. Seven were found to be unclean.

Most of the existing distribution network in Saroornagar, Alwal, Malakpet, Ramanthapur was laid a long time back, 5 to 6 feet underground, and is susceptible to infiltration as the sewer lines were laid above the water lines.

“Due to deeper drawing points below ground level (pit taps) and also below sewer lines, water contamination was observed. Residents are advised to avoid such pit taps in premises, and the immediate rectification of water pollution and restoration of quality water supply has been done by the Board,” added Dr Janardhan.

On the banks of a river but still thirsty

Ramagundam and Goda-varikhani towns are situated almost on the banks of the Godavari and a stone’s throw from the Sripada Sagar irrigation project at Yellampalli. And yet, they are always haunted by drinking water woes.

Residents of the towns are forced to wait for at least four days for drinking water every summer. This tragic situation can be attributed to apathy of civic authorities.

A total of 22 million litres per day of water is being drawn from an intake well erected in Godavari as against demand of 46 MLD.