Out of 105 water samples, 25 found contaminated: Patiala civic body

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Patiala, July 29

On the receiving end following three incidents of diarrhoea outbreak in the city in less than a month, Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) MLA from Patiala Ajitpal Singh Kohli, presented statistics today with MC Aditya Dachalwal regarding the present diarrhoea situation.

Kohli defended the civic body and said that the Municipal Corporation took timely action to prevent the diarrhea situation from worsening, resulting in no new cases emerging in any new areas.

Kohli explained that the primary cause of diarrhea spreading is the unauthorised water connections and the use of pumps by people, which create low pressure, allowing contaminated water to enter the tanks. Drinking such dirty water leads to infections in the stomach, causing vomiting and diarrhea. Therefore, people should cooperate and regularise their water connections, or the Municipal Corporation will take action.

Kohli further stated that the Municipal Corporation collected 195 water samples from affected areas, out of which reports for 105 have been received: 80 samples passed and 25 failed. In areas where samples failed, the Municipal Corporation provided alternative water sources and immediately repaired the water pipes.

Kohli, citing the Commissioner, mentioned that the Municipal Corporation operates 178 tube wells in the city. During checking, 26 tube wells were found with low chlorination, so the dosers were replenished, and more dosers are being installed under new measures to ensure chlorinated water reaches the final tap. The chlorine dose in these pumps has been increased from 1 PPM to 3 PPM.

For the first time in the history of the MC, two super suction machines are working simultaneously for cleaning and desilting the sewage lines. The city’s STP, with a capacity of 76 MLD, is being increased by 10 MLD, and five portable STPs will be installed in new areas like Mathura Colony, Pratap Nagar, New Mahindra Colony, etc.