Water inside 20-litre cans sold in areas hit by GBS positive for bacteria, PMC tests show

Pune: Water from RO plants, which was then used by private vendors to fill 20-litre cans and run water ATMs - across areas reporting Guillain-Barré Syndrome (GBS) - was found with bacterial contamination, PMC officials said on Sunday, citing test results released over the weekend.
PMC tested 30 samples collected on Jan 28 from RO plants, vendors selling drinking water jars and water ATMs across Dhayari, Sinhagad Road areas, Kirkatwadi, Khadakwasla and near Nanded City. Results showed bacterial contamination far above safe limits. In fact, multiple samples had a 16+ MPN (Most Probable Number) bacterial count. MPN is a method used to estimate the number of bacteria, like coliforms and E. coli, in a water sample. It gives an approximate count of bacteria present per 100 ml of water.
For drinking water, ideal count should be zero MPN, meaning no harmful bacteria is present. If the count is high - like the 16+ MPN found in the samples - it means the water is contaminated and unsafe for drinking. Nineteen samples from the RO plants had coliform bacteria - 11 of them with 16+ MPN bacterial count. E. coli was detected in 14 of these samples.
A senior PMC official said: "RO and packaged water should be completely free from bacterial contamination but our tests found coliform and E. coli in several samples. This indicates hygiene lapses at the source or during distribution. All drinking water should have zero bacteria. Many families and offices were ordering these packaged 20-litre cans for consumption, thinking they are safe."
The official added that tests of 'RO' water showed varying bacterial count in samples. "Which is completely unexpected in RO-purified water. Residents, including students, in these affected areas were purchasing water from these ATMs on a large scale. These were operated by private vendors. Meanwhile, the 20-liter jars were being supplied to households, shops and medical facilities, and they are all filled at these RO purification plants."
Authorities said the RO plants were considered the only reliable sources of clean drinking water by residents of the merged villages who for years have relied on tankers or borewells. "People trusted this water, but as per these test results, even this source is unsafe," the PMC official said.
Nandkishore Jagtap, head of PMC's water supply department said: "We will be sharing the report of contaminated RO water samples with the health department and will jointly decide the corrective action to be taken against these facilities. Notices will also be sent."