Materia Medica Malaysiana

Tests indicate e.coli in water

TANAH RATA: Tap water in Cameron Highlands has been found to be contaminated with the e. coli bacteria normally found in the faeces of animals and humans.

Tests carried out by the Health Ministry and the Regional Environmental Awareness Cameron Highlands (REACH) over two years indicated the presence of “bacteria too numerous to count” in the water.

REACH president R. Ramakrishnan said 12 treated water samples showed high counts of e. coli in residential and commercial properties in Brinchang, Tanah Rata and Ringlet.

“Our tests showed a 46 count per 100ml at certain points. Our drinking water should not even have e. coli.

“We have been complaining to the authorities about this for almost two years now,” he said.

It is understood that the bacteria is of the H0157 strain, found in the intestines of animals and humans.

Ramakrishnan said there had been a higher number of diarrhoea cases reported at private clinics in the highland resort.

He said authorities narrowed down the source of the contamination to improperly processed chicken fertilisers and human faeces.

“Chicken fertiliser for use in vegetable farms are getting into our river system.

“Even human faeces, as a result of improper sanitation, are getting into the rivers, some of which are used by the Waterworks Department to extract water,” he added.

A check in Kampung Raja and Kuala Terla showed sacks of chicken fertiliser stacked along the roadsides and next to streams, with many exposed to rain.

Cameron Highlands MP S.K. Devamany said the matter had been brought to the attention of the local development committee three months ago.

“I am still awaiting their recommendations on the next course of action.

“We need to get to the source of the contamination,” he said.

A Department of Environment spokesman said the department’s river water quality monitors showed high counts of e. coli.

“Tests showed a high 12,000 counts per ml of e. coli in Sungai Terla which is where the Public Works Department water intake point is located,'' he said.

The permissible level for e. coli in rivers is 100 counts per ml in a Class II river. Water extracted from Class II rivers requires conventional treatment – using lime and chlorine only.