Coliform bacteria have been found in drinking water of eighty-seven percent hotels and restaurants in the six districts of Barisal division including the divisional, district towns and tourist zones. Barisal regional office of the Directorate of Environment served notices to 375 hotels and restaurants of Barisal division to ensure safe drinking water after coliform bacteria was found in sample test of their water supply.Sukumar Biswas, director DoE Barisal office said, they collected drinking water samples from 431 hotels and restaurants of the divisional, district and upazila towns of Barisal in April-June 2013. After completing the tests on July 15, DoE found the presence of coliform bacteria in samples of 375 hotels and restaurants and started to serve notices. The samples of rest 56 hotels and restaurants also contain the bacteria, but in tolerable limit.The coliform bacteria-infected drinking water found in 185 hotels and restaurants in Barisal city, district and upazila towns, 32 in Barguna district and upazila towns, 56 in Patuakhali district and Kalapara and Kuakata tourist zones, 29 in Bhola district and upazila towns, 40 in Pirojpur district and upazila towns, 33 in Jhalakathi district and upazila towns, divisional DoE sources said.When coliform has been detected, repairs or modifications of the water system must be required and so we served notices on the hotels and restaurants to do that as early as possible, the DoE director said. “Testing for bacteria is the only reliable way to know if your water is safe. You cannot tell by the look, taste, or smell of the water if disease-causing organisms are in it,” Dr. Prodip Kumar Banik, pathologist of Barisal Sher E Bangla Medical College Hospital. “If coliform bacteria are present in your drinking water, your risk of contacting a water-borne illness is increases,” said Dr. Mizanur Rahman, former resident medical officer Barisal general hospital.Boiling the water is advised until disinfection and retesting can confirm that contamination has been eliminated. A defective well is often the cause when coliform bacteria are found in well water, suggested Dr. Amitav Sarkar, medicine specialist of SBMCH. – Our Correspondent
