SYED ZAHOOR
BARAMULLA, April 20: A recent water quality monitoring report from the District Public Health Laboratory (DPHL) under the Directorate of Health Services Kashmir has raised serious concerns about the safety of drinking water in several villages of Baramulla district.
The report, dated April 18, 2025, reveals that tap water in six out of seven tested locations is contaminated with harmful coliform bacteria, rendering it unfit for human consumption.
The laboratory conducted a Most Probable Number (MPN) test to detect the presence of coliform bacteria in water samples collected from different sources in Kreeri tehsil, including tap water and borewell sources. The findings show alarmingly high MPN values—well above the permissible limits—in most of the samples, classifying the water as “unsatisfactory” for use.
Alarming MPN Levels Detected
According to the report, the following villages recorded unsafe levels of coliform bacteria in their tap water:
Authoora Kreeri: MPN count of 24
Kreeri A: MPN count of 17
Puthkha Kreeri: MPN count of 18
Choora Kreeri: MPN count of 22
Waripora Kreeri: MPN count of 18
Kreeri B: MPN count of 17
Each of these results falls into Class 4: Unsatisfactory, where the MPN count exceeds 10 per 100 ml, indicating high levels of bacterial contamination that pose a significant public health hazard.
The only exception was Aam Bulgam, where the borewell water sample recorded an MPN count of zero, qualifying it as excellent for drinking and other domestic uses.
Public Health Threat
Coliform bacteria are indicators of fecal contamination and the potential presence of disease-causing pathogens. Consuming contaminated water can lead to a range of waterborne diseases, including diarrhea, cholera, dysentery, typhoid, and hepatitis.
The laboratory has unequivocally stated that the water from the above-mentioned sources is not fit for drinking or any other domestic use unless treated properly.
Recommendations by Health Officials
The report urges immediate health interventions and community awareness measures, including:
Boiling water for at least 20 minutes before use and chlorinating it.
Continuous surveillance and regular testing of water sources.
Coordination with local authorities and stakeholders managing water supply.
Public education campaigns on hygiene, sanitation, and safe water handling practices.
Official Response Awaited
While the lab report has been shared with concerned health and municipal authorities, residents in the affected villages are yet to see any swift action. Local communities have expressed fear and frustration, citing past instances of disease outbreaks linked to contaminated water.
The findings come at a critical time when public health infrastructure in rural Kashmir is already under stress. Activists and civil society members are now calling on the Jal Shakti Department and Rural Development Department to take immediate remedial measures, including repair of pipelines, water source protection, and ensuring provision of clean water through tankers until the issue is resolved.
