Most of 40 springs examined in Ganderbal, Srinagar parts declared unsafe for water usage

Ganderbal, Jan 29: The Jal Shakti department, which has carried out a massive drive of random sampling and testing of various springs across Ganderbal district and in its outskirts including parts of Srinagar district,  have found most of the springs were bacteriologically positive thus making it unfit for human consumption.

Officials told Greater Kashmir that Jal Shakti (PHE) Rural Water Supply Division Ganderbal/Srinagar carried out a massive drive of random sampling and testing of various springs across Ganderbal district and some parts of Srinagar last month, wherein it has been found that 37 out of 40 samples collected are bacteriologically positive.

The toxicity of the water makes these springs unfit for human consumption. The department has urged the general public of district Ganderbal and Rural Srinagar, where spring water is used for drinking purposes by locals at their own level, to refrain from using spring water for drinking purposes and instead use tap water only till further instructions.

Executive Engineer Jal Shakti RWS Division Ganderbal/ Srinagar, Er Sami Ullah Beigh told Greater Kashmir that as per a routine exercise carried out every year, the team of officials collected samples of about 40 springs from various area of Ganderbal district and parts of rural Srinagar and after testing it has been found that 37 samples were found bacteriologically positive and thus making it unsafe for human consumption.

“In the context of water quality, bacteriological testing is used to detect the presence of bacteria that can cause illness or disease. This type of testing is crucial to ensure that water is safe for human consumption, recreation, and other uses,” the official added. He requested people using spring water for drinking to avoid its use. However, if at all spring water is to be used, it is advised to use it only after prolonged boiling, he added.