KOCHI: Water-borne diseases continues to scare residents of West Kochi even as the Health Department has described the situation as being under control.The Health authorities have cautioned people to consume only potable water and clean food to avoid contracting diseases. “Water supplied through pipelines is not safe as drinking water gets mixed with contaminated water through breaches in pipelines,” Health sources said.It is high time that the Kerala Water Authority took urgent measures to look into the matter to find a permanent solution.The Health Department, the Kochi Corporation and NGOs have swung into action and are conducting awareness drives to encourage people to consume boiled water and maintain hygienic habits.Children are being sensitised at schools and anganwadis about water-borne diseases. Door-to-door campaigns too are being carried out.Sources at the District Medical Office (DMO) said that people should also take care to consume clean food. To prevent mosquito breeding, water must not be allowed to stagnate.Open pipes and broken taps, too, lead to contamination in water. The sources said those using hand pumps are more vulnerable to contract water-borne diseases.Health workers are also engaged in chlorinating wells and other water bodies in the region. The Health sources said that drinking boiled water was the safest way to escape water-borne diseases.The DMO has installed a surveillance system to monitor the situation prevailing in the West Kochi region.
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