- By Sahelee Rakshit
- Tue, 18 Feb 2025 11:28 PM (IST)
- Source:JND
Mahakumbh 2025: The Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) brought up the matter of poor water quality at many sites in Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh, during the Mahakumbh with the National Green Tribunal.
The Sangam's water did not fulfill primary bathing standards because of excessive faecal coliform levels, according to the CPCB's report.
Faecal coliform is one of the main markers of sewage contamination, according to the CPCB, and it shouldn't exceed the allowable limit of 2,500 units per 100 millilitres.
The CPCB submitted a report on February 3 stating that there were elevated faecal bacterial counts in several locations in Sangam, Prayagraj, particularly on Shahi Snan days.
What Is Faecal Coliform?
Both human and animal intestines contain faecal coliform bacteria. These bacteria's existence serves as a marker for possible water pollution.
When faecal coliform bacteria are found in water, it indicates the presence of dangerous pathogens such as viruses, parasites, and other bacteria that come from human and animal faeces.
To determine if water is suitable for drinking or any type of recreational activity, officials test for faecal coliforms.
“The river water quality was not conforming to the primary water quality for bathing with respect to faecal coliform (FC) at all the monitored locations on various occasions. A large number of people bathe in the river at Prayagraj during the Mahakumbh Mela, including on auspicious bathing days, which eventually leads to an increase in faecal concentration," the CPCB said in its report.
Health Risks Related To Faecal Coliform
Water contaminated with faecal coliform can cause severe infections, skin disorders, cholera, typhoid, nausea, vomiting, and diarrhoea, among other health problems.
The World Health Organisation stated in their report that the spread of significant infectious and parasitic illnesses, including cholera, typhoid, dysentery, hepatitis, giardiasis, guinea worm, and schistosomiasis, "has been implicated in the contamination of drinking water with faecal coliform bacteria."