W. Jakarta has highest E-coli

JAKARTA: The E-coli bacteria, which contributes to diarrhea, is present in high levels in Jakarta's ground water, with West Jakarta the worst-affected area, the City Health Agency said on Friday.

The agency routinely monitored city water sources to find possible bacteria or chemical contamination, agency spokesman Evi Zelvino said.

"Contamination is caused by the water source being located close to raw sewage dump sites." Houses in Jakarta were closely packed together, forcing communities to dump sewage dangerously near water sources, the beritajakarta.com. reported Evi as saying.

He added that simple disinfecting practices, such as putting small levels of chlorine into ground water, boiling water and washing vegetables and fruits before consumption, were effective ways to reduce e-coli infection. -- JP