Authorities in Madhya Pradesh's Khargone district were forced to cut off a crucial water source for approximately 200 households after routine tests revealed dangerous bacterial contamination. The well serving the Housing Board Colony in Barwaha town was found to contain E coli bacteria, prompting an immediate ban on its use for drinking.
Immediate Action and District-Wide Alert
Khargone Collector Bhavya Mittal stated that the contamination was confirmed by a bacteriological report received on Saturday. The testing drive across the district was intensified following a recent water contamination incident in Indore's Bhagirathpura area. "The water source was immediately declared unsafe and supply from the well was banned," Mittal told TOI.
She explained that while subsequent chlorination eliminated the bacteria, the administration decided to undertake permanent structural measures to prevent a recurrence. "Earlier, we covered public supply wells with wire mesh, but garbage continued to enter and pigeons perched on the mesh, leading to contamination," Mittal said. The new solution involves completely covering the well with iron sheets, leaving only the water outlet open.
Restoring Supply and Extensive Testing
Public Health Engineering (PHE) Barwaha sub-divisional officer Shubham Patel provided details on the impact. The well had been directly supplying water to nearly 200 families for years, as the overhead tank was damaged. "After the E coli presence report was received on Saturday, the supply was stopped immediately," Patel confirmed. He assured residents that water supply would be restored from a borewell starting Sunday evening, noting that most borewells in the subdivision have so far tested free of bacterial contamination.
Meanwhile, a massive testing operation is underway across Khargone. Samples from about 450 rural wells, 100 urban wells and borewells, and nearly 1,800 public borewells are being collected and tested. The district has NABL-approved laboratories in Barwaha, Khargone, Bhikangaon, and Kasrawad, though they are currently overburdened with the workload.
Community Health and Ongoing Repairs
Barwaha Sub-Divisional Magistrate Satyanarayan Darro reported that the contaminated well is being thoroughly cleaned and disinfected. A door-to-door survey conducted in the colony has not found any reports of health issues so far among residents. Authorities are also identifying and repairing damaged joints of water supply and sewer lines throughout all nine urban bodies and respective janpads in the district to prevent cross-contamination.
This incident underscores the critical importance of regular water quality monitoring, especially in older supply systems. The proactive district-wide testing drive aims to prevent similar public health scares and ensure safe drinking water for all residents of Khargone.
