Be careful about tap water

As everyone is now aware, the level of water in KRS has gone down drastically. The discussion in the media is mainly about the quantity of water and not about the quality.

As the amount of water stored in KRS goes down its pollution level goes up. Roughly the same amount of sewage gets into the water, but there is less stored water to dilute it. So the bacterial contamination of water increases. Also, as the level of water goes down,  more sunlight penetrates into the water and heats it up. Water temperatures which are normally in the lower to mid twenties start creeping upto 30 degrees. Fecal bacteria multiply very rapidly in warm water and the number of dangerous bacteria in water becomes very high. In this situation, it is not clear if the normal processing of water makes it safe. So the citizens should be careful in drinking tap water. 

Arrival of rains can make the problem worse. The first rains bring in a heavy load of organic matter to the KRS reservoir providing an additional boost to bacterial population. Therefore, the amount of organic matter and bacteria in the reservoir reach a peak during the early part of the rainy season. Tests conducted by Mysore Grahakara Parishat and Dr.Ajay Memorial Drinking Water Foundation in previous years have found that treatment by the Water Works generally fails to render the water potable till a few weeks into the rainy season.

So the citizens of Mysore would be well-advised to purify water before drinking it. They can use water purifying kits such as Aquaguard or boil water for 10-15 minutes or immerse a clean (EC grade) copper sheet in the water for 24 hours to kill the harmful bacteria (For more information on these and other methods, call MGP at 2515150). 

It is quite possible that humans constantly exposed to bacterial contamination acquire some degree of immunity against the diseases caused by these bacteria. That is probably why there is no epidemic yet in Mysore due to water contamination. But if we do not take precautionary steps, we will be flirting with danger. Contaminated water supply has resulted in localized epidemics in the last few years in Bogadi, Paduvarahalli, etc. in which people have died. It is hoped that MCC will wake up before a major disaster strikes.

Prof. A. Ramalingam, Mysore Grahakara Parishat