10 ice factories, 3 water chilling plants sealed

Tribune News Service

Yamunanagar, July 20

A team of the Health and Family Welfare Department, Yamunanagar, sealed 10 ice factories and three water chilling plants in the twin cities of Yamunanagar and Jagadhri on Friday late in the evening.

The action came after 22 water samples out of the 24 samples of ice factories and water chilling plants (water camper suppliers) failed due to the presence of high bacteria.

On the directions of the Deputy Commissioner, Girish Arora, the local Health and Family Welfare Department had collected 24 water samples on July 10 and July 11.

The said samples were sent to the Haryana Government Public Health Laboratory, Karnal, for bacteria examination.

Out of the 24 water samples collected, only two were found to be fit for human consumption and 22 were found contaminated with coliform, making these unfit for human consumption, read the report sent by the Civil Surgeon, Yamunanagar, to the DC on July 18.

As per the laboratory report, most of the water samples contained 1,800 coliform. However, Dr Vijay Dahiya, Medical Superintendent, Mukand Lal Civil Hospital, Yamunanagar, said the normal acceptable limit was less than 1 coliform in 100 ml of water.

“Water quality is unsatisfactory and unfit for human consumption,” read the report of the Public Health Laboratory.

The DC said he had on Friday formed a team of the Health Department, headed by Civil Surgeon, Yamunanagar, Dr Kuldeep Singh, to take action against the factories whose water samples had failed.

“The team sealed 10 ice factories and three water chilling plants today,” said the DC.

Dr Vijay Dahiya said coliform bacteria were present in environment and in faeces of all warm-blooded animals and humans.

He said the said bacteria were unlikely to cause illness if present in small amounts. However, their presence in drinking water indicated that disease-causing (pathogens) could be in the water.

The regular consumption of water with coliform bacteria can cause loose motions and constipation, said the doctor.