'Coliform', a bacteria found in feces, has been found in the water from the source of the drinking water project in Kumakh Rural Municipality-2 and 6, which has been used by locals.

The Sustainable Drinking Water Sanitation and Hygiene Project conducted by the municipality found 'coliform' in 11 sources while testing water from drinking water sources. 

The sanitation project had tested water from 83 drinking water sources across the municipality based on seven major parameters. More than 300 families from various settlements in Wards 2 and 6 have been using water from these 11 sources. 

As the bacteria called 'coliform' poses a risk of diseases like diarrhea and cholera, the municipality and the sanitation project are preparing to conduct awareness programs for water purification in the relevant places, said Dilip Kumar Soni, the chief administrative officer of the rural municipality.  

Due to the continued open defecation in some places, coliform has been found in the sources in the forests and estuaries surrounding the settlements, said Jeevan Sharma, head of the municipality's Forest, Environment and Disaster Management Branch. He informed that programs including source protection will be carried out to ensure 'coliform' free and pure water.