Fifty private wells tested in an eastern New Providence subdivision as a part of a pilot project, proved to be “highly contaminated with harmful bacteria,” the Water and Sewerage Corporation has confirmed.
A series of laboratory tests conducted consisted of physical analysis, chemical analysis and microbiological analysis, Miss Visna Armbrister, Private Wells Testing Programme Project Manager said.
No form of disinfection was observed in the wells as indicated by the lack of free chlorine residual during sampling, she said.
Residents were advised that the water in its present state should not be used for potable purposes, including bathing, and washing clothes and utensils.
This was discussed at a town meeting Tuesday night at St Andrew’s School where the corporation’s technicians addressed these and other concerns
“The corporation attributes the poor results to a number of factors, but largely in part to the close proximity of septic tanks and failure of residents to properly and regularly treat their wells,” said Miss Armbrister.
Of the samples taken, all contained coliform; 72 per cent contained faecal coliform, and 70 percent contained faecal streptococci, microbiological analysis showed.
Coliform are bacteria which provide a general and very sensitive measure of microbiological quality. They are widely distributed in nature, occurring in soil, vegetation and waste water.
Coliform bacteria may not cause disease, but can be indicators of pathogenic organisms that cause diseases, the corporation explained. Any detection in water samples must be responded to urgently.
Faecal coliforms and faecal streptococci are specific inhabitants of the animal or human gut, and are indicators of possible contamination with harmful bacteria.
“The presence of these bacteria in water is an indication of contamination by pollution such as sewage,” the corporation explained, and
“Any detection must be investigated as a matter of urgency as their presence in drinking water supplies could cause intestinal infections, dysentery, hepatitis, typhoid fever, cholera and other illnesses.
“Generally, all samples analyzed failed disinfection and bacteriological water quality,” the corporation’s analysts reported. “It is recommended that the water should not be used for potable or household purposes.”
The 2000 population census revealed that nearly two-thirds of the population of New Providence relies on private wells for their water supply.
Prior studies of ground water quality in urban areas have revealed that there is significant pollution from various sources.
“It is the Corporation’s view that most, if not all, private wells will prove to be contaminated,” said Miss Armbrister, “Therefore, a decision was taken to gather data that would support future public education campaigns.”
Due to the unfavourable results of the pilot project in eastern New Providence, the corporation plans to extend the testing of private wells throughout New Providence.
It will focus on areas where public supply is readily available and meets acceptable standards for reliability and quality, and where more than 25 percent of the households are still using private wells, she said.
Residents can have their wells tested by the corporation’s specialists for $125 per well.
“This is (a) fair price for testing private wells as it includes the cost of properly collecting samples, which is a necessary requirement if credible results are to be obtained,” said Miss Armbrister.
Incentives will be offered to persons to participate in the programme, and those residents who return to the corporation’s service will receive a rebate of the testing fee upon connection, she said.
“The corporation has been mandated to ensure that the water supply to residents is safe for use, and the government wants also to ensure that all health standards are being adhered to for all water being used are being adhered to,” Miss Armbrister said.
“While the corporation acknowledges some shortfall in being able to adequately meet the demand for service in some areas of New Providence, there are, however, many areas where the necessary upgrades and improvements have been made and where the corporation is now able to provide a more comfortable level of service.”
The corporation’s Acting Deputy General Manager, Godfrey E Sherman, noted that despite the poor water sample results from the pilot project, which were communicated to residents by letter, to date, there has been hardly any commitment by residents to return to the corporation’s supply.
“A majority of the people were horrified by the test results,” he said, and “Because of their initial reaction, we felt that would have provoked a more positive response. We were surprised to find that that has not happened.
“We have gotten a 2 per cent return factor so far, which means that people are not taking this matter as serious as they should,” said Mr Sherman.
The corporation is not against the use of wells, but is concerned about what the ground water is used for, he explained.
“There is a common misconception that private well water is safe and cheap,” he said. “In reality, persons who use private well water place their health and that of their families at serious risk.
“Businesses, particularly restaurants, schools, preschools and senior citizens homes should definitely avoid using well water to prepare food, wash hands or utensils, as this puts staff, patrons, and especially children and senior citizens at serious risk of contracting waterborne diseases.
“The corporation treats and monitors its water to ensure that international standards are met and that our water is safe to drink.”
Mr Sherman stressed that coliform is only one indication of contamination as there are other forms of pollutants, including pesticides, herbicides, and petroleum products.
“Some people think that because they are not in the densely populated communities, their well water is safe,” said Mr Sherman. “That is not so.
“Because of the proliferation of septic tanks, private wells and the high usage of well water, the probability of contamination is extremely high, especially where there is no form of treatment for these private supplies.
“But, the corporation thanks those households that participated in the private wells testing project,” Mr Sherman said, “and we implore them to consider the importance of using the city water supply.”
By Gladstone Thurston, Bahamas Information Services
