The reports of the sample tests from the Chatidih locality of Bilaspur have laid bare the failings of the municipal water supply system of the city. The Microbiology Department of SIMS (State Institute of Medical Sciences) has found E. coli, Clostridium, and other harmful bacteria in the water samples taken over a period of three days.
The Bilaspur district saw a fourth death, reportedly due to diarrhoea, on Tuesday. The relatives of the deceased stated that there were leakages in the pipeline delivering water to their homes. The images from the locality show pipelines going through sewage channels. Hence, the mixing of sewage water with the supplied water. This contaminated water is suspected to be the cause of the diarrhoea outbreak.
It is worth noting that the laboratory of the Bilaspur Municipal Corporation had earlier stated that the water samples from the affected areas were safe. An investigation by Dainik Bhaskar revealed that the lab lacks adequate human resources and that it is not accredited by the National Accreditation Board for Testing and Calibration Laboratories (NABL). Despite the lab not being accredited by NABL, the Chief Engineer of the municipal corporation, Neelotpal Tiwari assured that the water test reports from the lab were accurate. After the SIMS report came out on Tuesday, these claims fell flat to the ground.
Past incidents
However, this isn’t the first time the lab has produced inaccurate results. Even in 2021, during a similar diarrhoea outbreak in Tarbahar, (another ward area in Bilaspur), the municipal corporation cleared the water samples as safe. Only when the Health Department sent samples to SIMS for further investigation was the presence of E. coli in the water sample revealed.
Residents also claim that the municipal water department has blatantly ignored pipe leakages in the past. The pipelines have not been repaired or lifted from the drains.
BMC acts based on reports
After the SIMS report was released, the Executive Engineer of the municipal corporation, Ajay Shrivastava acknowledged the issues in 19 samples taken from the affected area. He further said that teams have been sent out to do repair work on the pipelines wherever complaints have been registered. The cleaning of all 52 water tanks and 16 overhead tanks of the corporation is being undertaken.
Taking cognizance of the situation, the Chairman of the Municipal Corporation, Sheikh Nazeeruddin said that strict action would be taken against those responsible for the contaminated water supply.
Other observations
According to the report by Dainik Bhaskar, a total of Rs. 125 crores has been spent on the supply of drinking water in the city. Despite this, the situation turns bleak every monsoon season, with residents fearing outbreaks of water-borne diseases. As noted above, the water in the pipelines is frequently contaminated due to leakages, resulting in dirty and foul-smelling water reaching homes.
Dainik Bhaskar reports that a survey was conducted in December 2022 by the city corporation, which revealed that there were still 1950 meters of pipeline running through the open drains. This raises grave concerns over the quality of safety measures being undertaken by the municipal corporation before water is supplied to homes. Urgent action must be taken to address the situation.
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