W. Jakarta has highest E-coli

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