Pune’s Drinking Water Declared Unsafe: Bacteria And Viruses Detected In Samples
Pune’s Drinking Water Declared Unsafe: Bacteria And Viruses Detected In Samples
Pune: A water quality inspection conducted by the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) has revealed alarming results — water supplied by the municipality, private tankers, and even reverse osmosis (RO) plants has been deemed unfit for drinking. The investigation was initiated following a surge in Guillain-Barré Syndrome (GBS) cases in the Sinhagad Road area, where harmful bacteria and viruses were detected in multiple water sources.
Contaminated Water Linked to Health Outbreak
After the GBS outbreak, PMC collected and tested 1,618 water samples from its supply system at the Parvati Water Treatment Plant. Shockingly, 12 samples tested positive for dangerous bacteria like E. coli and coliform. In addition, 18 samples from private water tankers were examined — 15 of which were unsafe for drinking, with 3 reports still pending. Furthermore, out of 36 RO plant samples, 23 were found to be contaminated and unsafe for consumption.
Presence of Dangerous Pathogens
The National Institute of Virology (NIV) tested 206 samples from the area, discovering norovirus in 6 samples and Campylobacter jejuni bacteria in one sample from a residential society in Kirkitwadi. Another public health laboratory tested 43 water samples, finding 13 unsafe — with 6 samples containing E. coli and 9 containing coliform bacteria. Contaminated water sources included wells in Nanded, tanks in DSK Vishwa, and residential societies like Nisarg Heights.
Waterborne Outbreak Data
The data paints a grim picture of water safety in the region:
- Nanded Village Well: 79 GBS cases
- Municipal Water Supply: 40 GBS cases
- Khadakwasla Dam: 10 GBS cases
- Vadgaon Budruk Water Treatment Plant: 2 GBS cases
- Unknown Sources: 3 GBS cases
- Gram Panchayat Supply: 1 GBS case
- Well Water: 1 GBS case
Call for Immediate Action
The findings have sparked public outcry, with residents demanding urgent action to address the contamination. Health officials and PMC authorities are now under pressure to improve water purification measures, repair drainage systems, and ensure clean drinking water reaches all affected areas. The investigation highlights the critical need for stricter water quality monitoring to prevent future outbreaks and safeguard public health.
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