NOIDA: E.Coli bacteria have been found in water samples collected from Greater Noida’s Anjara Homes, where over 400 residents suffered from diarrhoea, vomiting and fever during the first two weeks of April, after consuming contaminated water.
Samples collected from the overhead and underground water tanks of the condominium were sent to a private lab for testing earlier this month. “The lab reports confirmed the presence of E. Coli bacteria, indicating faecal contamination,” an official said. The health department has advised residents to avoid drinking water from taps until further notice and has initiated measures to address the contamination.
“The department will soon release an advisory. Meanwhile, residents are advised to drink only boiled water and refrain from drinking water from the underground tank supply. In such cases, a chlorine treatment is of utmost importance,” said Dr Tikam Singh, ACMO, Noida.
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Moreover, the alkaline level of the water was also found beyond permissible limits—285 mg/L at overhead tanks and 260 mg/L at underground tanks.
Dr Sushrut Singh, additional director of gastroenterology at Noida’s Fortis Hospital, told TOI that E. coli bacteria can cause gut and urinary tract infections. “Most of the time, it can live in one’s gut without causing any pain. If left untreated, the bacteria can cause infectious diarrhoea, and invasive infections can cause sepsis and even multi-organ failure,” Singh said.
E.Coli can spread from person to person through the oral-faecal route, contact with an infected person, contact with contaminated surfaces, undercooked meat and mixing of sewage water with drinking water. Ajnara Homes in Sector 16B currently houses 2,200 families across its 15 towers, bringing the total to over 8,000 residents.
TOI earlier reported that several residents, including children, were affected by suspected contamination of water and were admitted to hospitals. Currently, many residents have switched to packaged or RO water.
“The builder was already fined Rs 25 lakh, and was instructed to clean the tanks. Residents are paying maintenance fees but not getting enough services. We have advised maintenance handover to AOAs at the earliest to avoid such incidents,” said a senior GNIDA official.
