Significant Update

The Health Department and Kochi Corporation plan to inspect water bottling units after officials detected E. coli in drinking water samples collected during surprise checks at roadside eateries. Officials found E. coli in five samples collected from eateries in Kaloor, Vyttila and Thammanam. They also detected the bacteria in a borewell water sample used by one of the eateries.

Nearly 60 Eateries Inspected

The Health Department, Food Safety wing, Kochi Corporation’s Health wing and police have inspected nearly 60 eateries over the past two months. Officials will continue the inspections and conduct them three times a week during the upcoming festive period to prevent waterborne and other infectious diseases.

Authorities Trace Water Supply Sources

The test results have raised concerns about the quality of water served and used at eateries. Officials are now trying to identify the source of the water supplied to restaurants, including the bottling units that provide water cans. Kochi Corporation officials said no such bottling centres operate within the corporation limits and plan to gather information from hotels and restaurants to trace their suppliers.

Officials Urge Safe Water Consumption

Health officials have also stepped up awareness campaigns and urged people to consume only boiled water as a precaution against waterborne diseases. The Corporation also plans to meet vendors involved in supplying bottled and canned water to eateries to address concerns over water quality.

Source: The Hindu