Coliform in Bottled Water: Strengthen Market Monitoring

In a disturbing revelation, Kathmandu Metropolitan City (KMC) has detected coliform in water from 11 brands in Kathmandu Valley. The metropolis has promptly taken action and banned the sale of water of those brands after fecal coliform was detected in the samples of those companies. The metropolis has further imposed a fine of Rs 200,000 on each of those brands, while asking authorities concerned to test the samples of the water in which coliform was found in government laboratories. The KMC has made it clear that it will issue permits for sales and distribution only if the report indicates zero fecal coliform level in the samples. Coliforms are a group of bacteria typically found in the feces of warm-blooded animals such as humans, cattle and birds. According to food quality standards, treated drinking water should have zero coliform. But the detection of such a virus in the water of 11 industries is clear that the water sold by them is not fit for drinking. This is an extremely serious issue affecting the health of hundreds of thousands of people that needs the government's immediate attention.

While it is the constitutional duty of the government to provide safe drinking water to people, many are forced to buy it from the market due to the unavailability of safe drinking water. As a result, those who cannot afford to buy drinking water from the market are forced to drink polluted water. But ironically it has now been confirmed that even the bottled water sold by about a dozen water companies in Kathmandu Valley is not drinkable. Nothing could be more serious than this issue. As common people do not get safe water distributed by the government, they have to buy water from such industries operated by the private sector. However, it appears that the private suppliers have grossly neglected their responsibility to serve the public by distributing clean water. The fact that fecal coliform bacteria were found in the water jars distributed by 11 of 22 industries exposes the serious threat they pose to public health. A study conducted by the Health Service Department a few years ago showed that 3,500 children die every year due to water-borne diseases. Doctors say that people suffer from nausea, cholera, diarrhea and other health issues due to the consumption of polluted water. This highlights the need to take urgent measures to address this issue, which, if left resolved, might create a bigger public health risk.

As a newspaper, we urge the government to investigate the coliform case thoroughly rather than take it lightly. It is a very serious matter if the water industries distribute their products without maintaining minimum quality standards. It is also unethical practice to simply run business while ignoring public health. The private sector companies should understand the fact that producing quality products enhances their own reputation and overall business. This also allows consumers to use their products with confidence. In fact, the issue of substandard quality extends beyond drinking water. Reports indicated that a large number of food items sold in the market have similar issues. Cases of expired food items imported from abroad and sold after being re-labelling have also come to light. The same problem exists with the food items sold in hotels and restaurants. This situation makes it necessary for the government’s regulatory bodies to increase monitoring of goods and services sold in the market. We also call upon other local governments to follow the KMC’s example and take proactive measures to regularly monitor the market to discourage such practice. This will create an environment where consumers can consume only pure and fresh products. Instead of making monitoring rather seasonal or festival-targeted activity, they should consider making it a regular practice. Such carelessness in drinking water is a serious threat to our health. Government initiatives at all levels are necessary to address this critical issue. What is needed now is a strong and effective mechanism to regulate monitoring activities as thoroughly as possible.