Lamphel water tests E Coli positive, Govt sleeps Post flood disease looms large
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, July 14 2011: With the stagnant water of Lamphel testing positive of Escherichia coli (E.Coli), the people settled in Lamphel area are not likely to get any respite even after the flood water has receded as the chances of outbreak of various water-borne diseases loom large.

Lamphelpat has been serving as a dumping site for the waste materials generated not just from Imphal Municipal areas including Khwairamband Bazar but also from private hospitals and clinics located on its periphery.

In addition to this, absence of sanitary latrines is one common feature in most households located around the pat.

Following the increase in the water level of Nambul river, which acts as the natural outlet for draining out excess water, Lamphelpat and its surrounding low lying areas including private residential houses, Government quarters and offices have had to face the inconvenience of stagnant and clogged water since June 24 .

Taking into account the possible health hazards to the people of the area from prolonged water stagnation and the putrid stink emanating from it, The Sangai Express had requested the Manipur Pollution Control Board to conduct the necessary tests on the water of Lamphel so that the threat to health may be studied.

Staff of MPCB test the water samples for E Coli at Lamphel

Accordingly, on July 12, a team of officials of the Board headed by its Principal Scientific Officer Dr M Gonchandra conducted test on the water samples of the area collected from four different sites namely A-1 and A-2 (Lamphel dumping ground), A-3 (Lamphel Mayai Leikai) and A-4 (Minor Irrigation Department) .

The test results have shown that in all these four sites, the content of E Coli (Escherichia coli, a type of bacteria) is alarmingly high.

The contamination level of E Coli in the water sample collected from site A-1 was more than 1 lakh per ML of water while 18,500 per ML in site A-2, 18,300 per ML in site A-3 and 15,800 per ML in site A-4 were found.

Moreover, there is no dissolved Oxygen, which is required to sustain aquatic life , in the water samples collected from site A-1 and A-3 .

Apart from test to find out the level of E Coli contamination and the dissolved Oxygen content, the Manipur Pollution Control Board had also reportedly conducted 11 other different tests on the collected water samples.

Principal Scientific Officer Dr Gonchandra has explained that the level of E Coli contamination in the water of Lamphelpat has increased alarmingly mainly on account of prolong water stagnation that helps in multiplication of harmful bacteria.

With no outlet for draining out the stagnant water, there has be absolutely no dilution, thus becoming the perfect breeding ground for germs and other harmful bacteria, he added.

Dr Gonchandra informed that regardless of whether the E Coli contamination level is high or low, any water with E Coli content is not fit for human consumption.

Talking to The Sangai Express, Dr Kokindra, who is a Microbiologist in the Directorate of Health Services, Government of Manipur, pointed out that with confirmation of E Coli contamination in the water of Lamphelpat, there is high possibility of outbreak of various water borne diseases after the flood water receded.

He cautioned that E Coli contaminated water should never been used.

In case of drinking such water, even the dregs that were left behind in the ponds after the flood water recede, can cause dysentery and other related water borne diseases.