Coliform Detected in 106 Drinking Water Sources in Baglung

Coliform bacteria, commonly found in the human intestine, have been detected in 106 drinking water sources across Baglung district, raising concerns about water safety.

The Provincial Public Health Office, Baglung, conducted tests at 285 locations across 10 local levels, including Jaimini Municipality and Kathekhola Rural Municipality. Jaimini Municipality and Kathekhola Rural Municipality recorded the highest contamination levels, according to Dilli Acharya, a laboratory technician at the Public Health Office. Among the 47 sources tested in Kathekhola, 27 contained coliform, while 44 out of 106 sources in Jaimini Municipality tested positive. Acharya noted that expanding the scope of testing could reveal contamination in even more sources.

Coliform testing is currently underway in other parts of the district, including Nisikhola, Tamankhola, Tarakhola, Bareng, Badigad Rural Municipality, Galkot Municipality, Dhorpatan, and Baglung Municipality. Given the increasing demand for water testing, authorities plan to gradually expand the initiative.

“Water containing coliform is unsafe for drinking and can cause waterborne diseases such as diarrhea, cholera, typhoid, jaundice, and hepatitis B,” Acharya warned. In response, the Public Health Office is conducting awareness campaigns to educate residents about water purification methods.

Jaimini Municipality Deputy Mayor Harihar Sharma stated that the municipality has prepared a ‘Bas Plan’ to clean and protect contaminated water sources. “We are actively working to manage contaminated sources, raise awareness, and ensure water is used only after proper purification,” he said, emphasizing the municipality’s collaboration with technical experts to address the issue.