Is drinking water safe in Chennai?

CHENNAI: The outbreak of E.Coli that has claimed 30-odd lives in Germany and other European countries is a grim pointer of the extent of damage these organisms floating in the environment can cause. And Chennai has reason to be concerned, for a study conducted in the city has clearly indicated the presence of some form of coliform bacteria in the drinking water supplied by the Metro Water in several parts of the city.According to the study conducted by CONCERT (Centre for Consumer Education, Research, Teaching, Training and Testing), the quality of water supplied by the Metro Water through lorries in different parts of the city has been affected by unhygienic handling.CONCERT collected 40 water samples from six zones in Chennai Corporation area, namely Zone 2 (Basin Bridge), Zone 3 (Pulianthope), Zone 4 (Aynavaram), Zone 5 (Kilpauk), Zone 8 (Kodambakkam) and Zone 9 (Saidapet) between May 16 and May 22. Out of the 40 samples collected from water supplied by lorries to syntax tanks in different pockets of the city, three samples tested positive. In addition, the study also found that some of the tanks had no lids and cleanliness in the areas surrounding the tanks was unsatisfactory. A majority of the samples were collected from housing board colonies and slums.The Hydrogen Sulphide Spot test kit supplied by the Tamil Nadu Water Supply and Drainage Board was used to test the water samples for the presence of hydrogen sulphide-producing bacteria. In this indicator test, the colour of the sample changes to black in 24 hours if there is hydrogen sulphide contamination.Speaking to City Express, G.Santhanarajan, Director, CONCERT, said that the results of the study indicated the presence of coliform bacteria, and possible faecal contamination. “The contamination could have taken place at any point of time before the water was supplied to the consumer,” he said.The contamination in drinking water poses a host of health hazards to residents. “Consuming water contaminated with coliform bacteria that is usually found in faecal matter can cause acute gastroenteritis, urinary tract infections and pneumonia,” says Dr. Palaniappan, a general physician who has a clinic in Adyar. In the long run, consumption of coliform-containing water may affect the immune system and can even result in malfunction of organs due to bacterial toxicity, he added.Citing the study, R. Desikan, Trustee of Consumer Association of India, said, "About 65 per cent of diseases are water-borne, so it is important that BIS potable water standards are mandated soon to ensure supply of safe drinking water.”