Five water samples of Patiala's Jhill village fail potability test

Karam Prakash

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Patiala, July 11

Even three weeks after the massive diarrhoea outbreak at Jhill village, its residents still have to drink contaminated water. Reason: All the five water samples, collected by the Health Department, last week, even after cleaning of overhead tank have failed the potability test.

The lab reports revealed bacterial contamination in all five samples. The lab has declared the water sample ‘not fit for consumption.’ Ironically, this is second time water samples of Jhill village have failed the quality test.

With bacterial contamination in the water supply, the threat of another diarrhoea outbreak looms large.

Notably, around 250 people had fallen sick due to the diarrhoea outbreak at Jhill village last month. Following the outbreak, overhead water tank in the village was cleaned. However, the water samples – after the corrective steps have once again failed the test. The water supply to the village is being provided by the Patiala Municipal Corporation because it comes under its jurisdiction.

The Health Department said they would again collect water samples from the village. Dr Divjot Singh, district epidemiologist, said they had already written to departments concerned to take remedial measures.

Three water samples of Laut village fail test

Three water samples of Laut village in Bhadson block of the district, collected during random sampling, have also failed the potability test. The reports revealed that all three water samples had bacterial contamination.

250 people had fallen sick last month

Notably, around 250 people had fallen sick due to the diarrhoea outbreak at Jhill village last month. Following the outbreak, overhead water tank in the village was cleaned. However, the water samples – after the corrective steps have once again failed the test. The water supply to the village is being provided by the Patiala Municipal Corporation because it comes under its jurisdiction.