You sure that the drinking water in your house is germ-free and won't cause any health problems? Check again.
You sure that the drinking water in your house is germ-free and won't cause any health problems? Check again.
An inspection carried out recently by the Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation (AMC) to check the spread of waterborne diseases during monsoon revealed the presence of a large amount of bacteria in potable water which is believed to be because of lack of chlorine content in the same.
The AMC officials collected samples from residents and distribution centres in various city areas like Naroda and Lambha. The samples were then sent to central laboratory to check the presence of bacteria, and reports for five were tested positive.
Reasons have been attributed to absence of chlorine in drinking water which can lead to the spread of waterborne diseases like cholera, diarrhoea and cause stomach ache.
According to WHO standards for drinking water, every litre should have at least 2-3 mg of chlorine to ensure disinfection and residual concentration.
The maximum amount of chlorine that can be used is 5 mg per litre. For a more effective disinfection, the residual amount of free chlorine should exceed 0.5 mg per litre after at least 30 minutes of contact time at pH value of 8 or less.
"We checked the water at the distribution centre and also collected samples from residents in the outskirts of the city, walled city and the New West Zone.
At a number of places, chlorine content was completely negligible as people directly used water pumped from the bore well. At some other places, the water was found contaminated," said chief medical official of the AMC SP Kulkarni.
The AMC officials said that they took at least 12-15 samples of water from various parts of the city. The samples have been sent to central laboratory for further tests. "We are also collecting samples of food sold at roadside eateries," said Kulkarni.
The reaction and requirement of chlorine in human body depends on the amount of chlorine present in the air, and on the duration and frequency of exposure. Its effects also depend on the health of an individual and the environmental conditions during exposure.
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