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Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru (JD)

Mangaluru, Jan 5: Former minister Krishna J Palemar has alleged that the water supplied by the Mangaluru City Corporation (MCC) is not fit for drinking purpose and hence urged MCC to purify the water supplied for the same.

Addressing media persons in the city taking coliform bacterial analysis as the base standard, Palemar said the level of bacteria in water supplied by MCC in most parts of the city has dangerously exceeded compared to the consumption limit of 6-8 counts per 100 millimetre of water.

"The water supplied to Bondel has 40 counts, whereas its 348 counts in Katipalla. While the count is 1,600 in government hospital Suratkal and 25 counts in Chilimbi. Even Vikas College has recorded the count which has exceeded dangerously, but is being used for drinking purpose after ozone treatment," he added.

"The presence of coliform bacteria in drinking water may indicate a possible presence of harmful, disease-causing organisms. MCC must work in this regard to provide pure drinking water to the city," Palemar said.

Palemar further said the water samples were tested in Fisheries College Laboratory and Mangalore Biotech Laboratory. When asked about the absence of an authorised seal from Mangalore Biotech Laboratory on the samples which were tested, the former minister said that since it was a computerised copy, an authorised signature was absent.

President of Mangaluru North BJP Yuva Morcha Dr Bharath Shetty and others were present.