The autonomous apex body that promotes science and technology in the country said 61.4 percent of 114 samples of the drinking water supplied by the Kathmandu Upatyaka Khanepani Limited (KUKL) were contaminated with coliform bacteria. Similarly, 84 percent from a total of 926 samples of ground water were found contaminated.[break]
The NAST had collected 47 percent of water samples from Kathmandu, 35 percent from Lalitpur, 7 percent from Bhaktapur and the rest from Kavre and Jhapa districts.
“We collected the samples from different water treatment plants in the Valley and public taps,” Tista Prasai, Scientific officer at the NAST said. Prevalence of coliform bacteria is an indicator of fecal contamination. Coliform bacteria normally found in intestines, where they help our body break down and digest the food we eat.
Consumption of water contaminated with coliform causes health complications like morbidity, stomach cramps, vomiting and diarrhea.
The NAST has also informed the KUKL about the alarming finding. “They (KUKL officials) said they were upgrading the treatment plants and also installing new plants to improve the quality of drinking water,” Prasai revealed.
The NAST also analyzed water samples for psychochemicals and found 34 percent of samples exceeding the Nepal standard value for turbidity or muddiness.
High turbidity gives offensive appearance, color, taste and odor to water. Similarly, 46 percent of samples were detected with iron content. Likewise, 38 percent of samples contained ammonia and one percent had nitrate beyond the permissible level. While iron content doesn´t have serious health implications, high nitrate content is hazardous to infants and young children and can cause a blood-related disease called methemoglobinemia.
Ground water samples from Sorhakhutte and Lokhanthali were found to be contaminated with arsenic but they were thankfully below the hazardous level. NAST scientists have asked common people to boil the water before drinking.
“Those who drink water without boiling it are vulnerable to the risks posed by contaminated water,” Prasai warned.
Related story
Melamchi water for the people outside Ring Road as well: KUKL
