Coliform bacteria, which indicate faecal contamination, have been detected in the drinking water sources in ward 2 and 6 of Kumakh Rural Municipality, raising public health concerns.

Laboratory tests conducted under the rural municipality’s sustainable water supply, sanitation and hygiene project found coliform bacteria in 11 water sources used by local residents.

According to the project, water samples from 83 drinking water sources across the rural municipality were tested based on seven key quality parameters. Of these, 11 sources supplying water to more than 300 households in wards 2 and 6 were found to be contaminated.

Chief Administrative Officer of the local unit Dilip Kumar Soni said the presence of coliform bacteria poses risks of diseases such as diarrhoea and cholera. He added that an awareness campaign and water purification measures would be launched to ensure safe drinking water.

It is suspected that open defecation in some areas has contaminated nearby forests and streams, resulting in bacterial contamination of water sources.