Arsenic found in 1500 tube-wells in Kanchanpur

KANCHANPUR, Feb. 15: Water in as many as 1,500 tube-wells was found unsafe for drinking due to arsenic at 19 VDCs in Kanchanpur district, according to a survey conducted by the District Drinking Water and Sanitation Sub-Division.



The survey found water in 1,500 tube-wells unsafe for drinking as it consists excessive contents (50 PPB) of arsenic.



The office had tested the arsenic from samples of some 53,000 tube-wells in the district.



Chief of the Sub-division Office, Prem Dotel, said the water that contains more than 50 PPB is considered to be unsafe for drinking. Some tube-wells in Laxmipur VDC were found to contain more than 140 PPB arsenic.



The water from tube-wells in Laxmipur, Krishnapur and Raikabar Bichawa areas contain more arsenic and that the Sub-Division Office has distributed 100 sets of bio-sand filters in Laxmipur.



He added, "We have brought materials to install 100 borings in the arsenic affected areas with a view to providing safe drinking water. Preparations to bring materials for installing additional 500 borings are underway."

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