The former MLA J. Krishna Palemar has accused Mangaluru City Corporation of supplying drinking water with a high content of coliform bacteria, which causes water infection, in many areas. Talking to reporters here on Thursday, Mr. Palemar said that he has found high coliform bacteria content in water in Katipalla Krishnapura, Surathkal, Bondel, Chilimbi, Pandeshwar and Ashok Nagar.
Mr. Palemar said that coliform bacteria count was more than two in these areas and it will not go even after boiling water. He had tested water samples from 27 different areas in the city, he said.
Mr. Palemar said that it was disturbing to see coliform of 348 and faecal coliform of 40 in the water at Katipalla Masjid. The water at Surathkal Government Hospital, which was used by many needy persons, was having 1,600 and 900 coliform and faecal coliform, respectively. Water at Badriya PU College in Krishnapura 7th Block and at the water tank in Krishnapura 7th Block has coliform of 32. Water at Bondel had coliform of 40 while that in Chilimbi had coliform count of 25. Water from Pandeshwar, Ashok Nagar, Mannagudde and Bejai has coliform count ranging between two and six, he said. The water was tested in accredited laboratory in the city in December 2016, he added.
Mr. Palemar said that there was substantial increase in the the count of coliform and faecal coliform bacteria in drinking water since his days as Minister. “When testing was done during my term there was no coliform. But now the level is too high, which is a cause of concern.” Mr. Palemar accused the corporation of not testing water at regular intervals.
Disputing Mr. Palemar’s claim, Mayor Harinath said that there was no change in the quality of water and it was safe to drink. “The quality of water supplied now is the same as the one that was provided during Mr. Palemar’s time.”
Talking exception to Mr. Palemar’s allegation, Lancelot Pinto, Chairman of Standing Committee on Town Planning, said that the former MLA should have been more responsible in bringing the matter to the corporation before making the test results public. “Though we are sure of the quality of water being provided to people, we will certainly take the allegations seriously and inquire into them,” he said.
