E. coli in public drinking water well in Kozhikode; jaundice cases on the rise

Kozhikode: In a concerning development, three more residents in Kommeri ward have contracted jaundice, bringing the total number of cases to 28. At a meeting held at the corporation on Thursday, officials decided to implement superchlorination of the wells and set up a medical camp with the assistance of the District Medical Officer (DMO). The medical college authorities reported that the 23-year-old woman receiving treatment for jaundice is showing slight improvement.

E. coli contamination has been detected in one of the four wells used in the public drinking water scheme. Corporation officials have stated that it is unclear if this contamination is linked to jaundice, and investigations are ongoing regarding the same.

Residents in wards 28, 29, and 30 receive water from these wells, with about 270 homes in the 30th ward. Officials indicated that the problem appears to be localised to the 30th ward, where the water tank has been found to be unclean. The ward councillor’s committee, responsible for the project, said that the issue had not been reported to them.

The corporation will now maintain a register to ensure regular chlorination and cleaning of the public water wells. Water quality will be tested at scheduled intervals to prevent further issues. However, Councilor Kavitha Arun noted that there have been no formal complaints from residents about the water quality, and checking the wells and tanks is challenging for women residents.

Water testing will be conducted again on Friday to address these concerns.