E-Coli bacteria in tap water

E-Coli bacteria in tap water

JAKARTA (JP): A health official made a startling revelation on
Monday when he claimed that Singaraja Tap Water Company in Bali
is the only tap water company able to supply potable water in
Indonesia.

"Singaraja started to supply potable water to Bali in
September 1999," Director General of Communicable Disease Control
and Environmental Health Umar Fahmi was quoted by Antara as
saying.

Speaking at a national meeting on tap water management in
Mataram, West Nusa Tenggara, the official pointed out that
about 40 percent of water supplied by tap water companies
throughout the country is contaminated by e-coli bacteria.

Citing research findings from 1998, Umar said water quality
was a major source of diarrhea especially among children.

"Due to severe contamination, it is no surprise that diarrhea
remains a serious health problem in Indonesia," said Umar.

According to Umar, diarrhea has become the second biggest
cause of death in infants, and the five biggest for all ages in
Indonesia.

Citing research from the University of Indonesia, Umar said a
clean water supply is able to reduce the number of diarrhea
sufferers by 35 percent, while toilet-usage lessens the disease
by 28 percent.(prb)