Shillong: Health Alert! Tap water may be dangerous for you

44 out of 46 water samples taken from 46 different places in Shillong were found to be hazardous to drink after laboratory testing, which is a finding that could raise health issues. Following complaints from the public over the water's quality, the Federation of Khasi, Jaintia, and Garo People (FKJGP) gathered the samples.

Oakland, Jail Road, Wahingdoh, Jaiaw Langsning, Lumdiengjri, Mawbah, Jhalupara, Dhankheti, Cleve Colony, Lumshyiap, Nongmensong, and Laitumkhrah, Laban, Keating Road are a few places where the water has been deemed dangerous. It was determined to be safe in Mawblei and Demthring, respectively.

According to the "Standard Operating Procedure" established by the State Food Testing Laboratory of the Commissionerate of Food Safety on August 22, the samples were collected.
The State Food Testing Laboratory, Commissionerate of Food Safety, headquartered at Pasteur Hills, Shillong, received all samples for quality inspection and thorough analysis.

According to the report, 44 of the 46 samples included coliform and E. coli (Escherichia coli) organisms with low pH values, high levels of turbidity, and iron contents that exceeded the allowed limits.
The water gathered from these 44 localities and tested is plainly dangerous by FSSAI standards, as shown by this. Therefore, continued drinking of such water may be harmful to human health, according to FKJGP, in a document delivered on Tuesday to Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma.

The FKJGP said that high iron content causes a buildup that might result in diabetes, hemochromatosis, stomach issues, nausea, and destroy good skin cells. It also claimed that high iron level can harm the liver, pancreas, and heart.
The group pleaded with the government to address this issue as soon as possible and take the required action to resolve it so that the general public may get safe and hygienic drinking water.