Nepali Congress lawmaker Pratima Gautam has raised serious concerns over the presence of fecal contamination in bottled drinking water being distributed in urban areas, warning of a growing public health risk.
Speaking during a special session of the House of Representatives on Monday (Shrawan 19), MP Gautam stated that water considered safe for drinking is now becoming a source of disease, and called for immediate government intervention.
“A test conducted by the Lalitpur Health Office in Godawari revealed that 60% of bottled water samples contained fecal coliform bacteria,” she said. “This confirms the presence of sewage-related contamination in drinking water—an alarming contributor to the spread of disease.”
Surge in Waterborne Diseases Reported
MP Gautam noted a sharp rise in cases of diarrhea, typhoid, and viral hepatitis in hospitals across the country. She reminded parliament that similar negligence last year led to a cholera outbreak, warning that the current monsoon season could further heighten the risk of an epidemic.
Demands for Strict Oversight and Transparency
She urged the government to enforce strict monitoring of bottled water companies, conduct routine testing, and publish results transparently.
“The government must strengthen water purification systems in cities and launch widespread public awareness campaigns on safe drinking water,” Gautam emphasized. “This is not just a health concern—it is the government’s constitutional duty to protect every citizen’s right to safe drinking water.”
