‘Supply ‘Clean and Safe Water’ and NOT Just ‘Water’?- Palemar warns MCC
Mangaluru: About a week ago, during a press meet held at Mangalore Press Club, the former MLA J. Krishna Palemar had accused Mangaluru City Corporation of supplying drinking water with a high content of coliform bacteria, which causes water infection, in many areas- and he also said that he had found high coliform bacteria content in water in Katipalla Krishnapura, Surathkal, Bondel, Chilimbi, Pandeshwar and Ashok Nagar.
“We tested water samples collected from 27 areas in the city, and all of them showed contents of Coliform bacteria. The coliform bacteria count was more than two in these areas and it will not go even after boiling water. It was disturbing to see coliform of 348 and faecal coliform of 40 in the water at Katipalla Masjid. The water at Surathkal Government Hospital, which was used by many needy persons, was having 1,600 and 900 coliform and faecal coliform, respectively. Water at Badriya PU College in Krishnapura 7th Block and at the water tank in Krishnapura 7th Block has coliform of 32. Water at Bondel had coliform of 40 while that in Chilimbi had a coliform count of 25. Water from Pandeshwar, Ashok Nagar, Mannagudde and Bejai has coliform count ranging between two and six. There was a substantial increase in the count of coliform and faecal coliform bacteria in drinking water since my days as Minister. When testing was done during my term there was no coliform. But now the level is too high, which is a cause of concern. The water was tested in an accredited laboratory in the city in December 2016” added Palemar during the January 5 press meet.
Couple of days later, MCC officials also held a press meeting where MCC Mayor Harinath disputing Krishna Palemar’s claim said that there was no change in the quality of water and it was safe to drink. The quality of water supplied now is the same as the one that was provided during Mr. Palemar’s time. The bacteria had been found in water samples collected from Sunkadakatte, Krishnapura Vishwanatha temple area, Katipalla-Krishnapura Block II Masjid area, Krishnapura VII Block area, Padupadavu (all Mangaluru City North) and Vadiraja Nagara, Alake (in the south). It was due to a mix-up of sewage water with drinking water as the pipelines of both the water supply and underground sewage network got damaged simultaneously while earth-movers dug up the earth for laying underground sewage network in these areas. Now both the damaged pipelines have been repaired and clean water was being supplied to the residents”.
The Mayor had also said “We have sent samples to the Department of Fisheries Microbiology, College of Fisheries and to the laboratory of District Surveillance Unit, near Mangaluru Central Railway Station. The samples for the first time were also tested in those laboratories.Admitting that coliform bacteria had been found in drinking water samples collected from five places in Mangaluru City North and at one place in Mangaluru City South, Mangaluru City Corporation. But at the moment there is no need to panic as the civic body had taken corrective steps”.
The Mayor had also said that no water contamination has been found in samples collected from Panambur pumphouse, Kulai pumphouse, Govinda Dasa College, Janata Colony, and that water samples collected from 28 places across the city tested negative for coliform bacteria and there was no water contamination in the source of drinking water supply to the city, i.e., the Thumbay vented dam. He said 98 per cent areas of the city, clean drinking water is being supplied. But the Mayor’s statement that clean water was being supplied after repairs to the pipelines is yet to be confirmed as laboratory reports on water samples collected for the second time were awaited.
In the meantime, MCC mayor Harinath’s statements didn’t satisfy former state minister Krishna Palemar, who tit for tat wanted to prove and show Mayor Harinath that what he said was positive, he decided to take a bunch of his supporters to Bantwal district, where he made the photographer takes pictures and also videotape of the drainage water and other garbage/filth being flown into the river, where the Thumbay Vented dam gets water from. The minister once again today (17 January) held one more press meet at Mangalore Press Club, where the video was shown and the photographs (on a CD) was distributed to the media persons. Looking at the video footage, where the dirty water and the garbage that flows into the river, one would never drink MCC water (unless it is 100% purified)-using a large number of chlorine to clean the water will never solve the problem. (The pictures incorporated along with the report will speak the truth).
Addressing the media persons, Palemar said, ” MCC by still supplying water with Coliform and other fecal contents is putting the citizens who are depending on MCC water in risk of harmful health issues. Although it took me more than three months to sleuth and test this water, but MCC after my statements made during the press meet has come out with their results within three days-how can that be? Instead of taking this issue very seriously they are challenging me. This is not a simple issue, it is a major safety and health hazard issue. Two days ago, I tested the water at my house and it still showed Coliform- also I tested even after boiling the water, but still there were contents of Coliform-this proves that our MCC water is highly contaminated with Coliform and bacterial substances”.
” The video footage will clearly show you how the drainage/sanitation water and other garbage is released into the river. How much more proof do anyone needs? The mayor, MLA’s, and MCC officials may come up with their stories and excuses, but I will be firm with my decision and will fight until safe and clean water is supplied to the citizens of Mangaluru and around. Just by adding tons of chlorine will not clean the water, instead, will harm the health of citizens. I urge the MCC officials and the concerned authorities to supply “Clean and safe Water” and NOT just Water?”.
Corporators from opposition party (BJP) Roopa D Bangera and Sudhir Shetty Kannur; and Ashok- secretary of BJP were also present on the dais during the press meet.