As crores of devotees arrive daily in Prayagraj for holy dip in Sangam water during Maha Kumbh 2025, the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) has detected above normal level of faecal coliform at various locations in the city.
According to a Hindustan Times report, the CPCB has submitted a report to the National Green Tribunal (NGT) related to high levels of faecal bacteria in Ganga water.
The report has come in the backdrop of ongoing Maha Kumbh Mela 2025, where over 50 crore devotees have already taken a dip at the Sangam waters. Here are all the details about the bacteria.
The river is heavily polluted with faecal coliform bacteria, mainly due to the dumping of large amount of untreatd sewage.
Faecal coliform bacteria is present in Ganga near Prayagraj above the safe limit of 2,500 units per 100 millilitres, hence the river is dangerous for those entering it, reported HT citing CPCB report.
What is faecal coliform bacteria?
Faecal coliform bacteria are organisms found in the faeces or waste produced by all warm-blooded animals and humans. These bacterias are generally found inside human intestines. One of the possible way of water contamination due to this bacteria is the presence of human and animal excreta in water.
According to an official document released by Bureau of Indian Standards, total coliform bacteria are not an acceptable indicators of the cleanliness or quality of water.
The report ao added that the bacteria is present in “almost all untreated supplies”.
What are the risk of faecal coliform bacteria?
According to an HT report, presence of coliform bacteria can be an indicator of the fact that these water may also contain harmful pathogens like viruses, parasites, or other bacteria. These pathogens generally originate from faecal matter or stool.
Whate are its side-effects?
Consumption of water contaminated with disease-causing bacteria including faecal coliform, E.Coli, may pose many health risk to people. Presence of these bacterias in water can cause stomach aches, diarrhea and other gastrointestinal diseases, according to Vermont Department of Health.
