The special squad formed by the food safety designated officer in the district raided eight tanker trucks that distribute drinking water and took samples from eight water sources from the Thiruvankulam and Irimpanam areas on Monday.

The raids were conducted after the squad received a tip-off that there had been a huge volume of contamination in the distribution of water across the district.

The squad, which was formed after a directive from the food safety commissioner, in its initial findings found that the source of water in Thiruvankulam and Irimpanam was contaminated.

Samples taken from tanker trucks and water sources are now sent to the chemical lab, where a detailed bacteriology test and chemical test will be done.

“The presence of E-coli will be examined in the bacteriology test, while the ISI standard of the water will be examined in the chemical test. If the water does not fall between ph 6.5 and ph 8.5, it is considered not suitable for drinking,” said K. Ajith Kumar, food safety designated officer, Ernakulam.

The squad has also directed drinking water distributing trucks to be compulsorily painted blue. Directives have also been given to hotels and houses in the district not to take water from trucks that have not been painted blue.

Meanwhile, mobile vigilance squads led by A. Muhammed Rafi have been conducting raids at the water sources and shops.

The squads have also directed hotel owners to check the purity of ice cubes used in restaurants.

Hepatitis cases on the rise in district

As the mercury soars to record heights, summer diseases are taking their toll in the district. Water-borne ailments including hepatitis are on the rise in the region and two deaths have already been reported during the last four months.

About 25 cases of Hepatitis A were detected in various parts of the district, with Mattancherry having the highest number at 15. Others were reported from the rural areas. Two cases each were reported from Choornikkara and Thirumaradi, while Edathala and Palakuzha reported three cases each.

During the last four months, 11 cases of Hepatitis E were reported in the district, nine from Pampakuda and two from Maneed. Other summer diseases like leptospirosis, chicken pox, dengue fever and malaria were also reported from rural and urban areas.

Meanwhile, the District Medical Office authorities claim that they have taken preventive measures and that summer diseases are under control in the district.

“Health workers are conducting super chlorination of all wells, especially in panchayat areas which are more dependent on well water. We have asked the Kerala Water Authority to take necessary steps to provide pure drinking water round the clock, especially in areas like West Kochi, from where water-borne diseases have been reported,” said Dr. R. Sudhakaran, DMO.

Under the health action plan of the National Rural Health Mission, a host of projects are being implemented in the district. Health workers go on house visits and conduct awareness programs.
The officials are also taking water samples from wells and inspecting hotels and eateries to prevent the spread of water-borne diseases.