A visit to one of the areas from where water samples have been collected for examination shows it is not a mere case of water contamination.

KMC conservancy workers (safai karmacharis) who reside in civic body quarters on Sashi Sarkar Bose Row have been complaining of severe diarrhoea for the last few weeks. KMC’s answer to their problems — two packets of ORS for every household.

Among the 300 residents in the area, The Indian

Express team found about 20 people who had complained of diarrhoea and were treated at the SSKM Hospital. This, in spite of KMC’s claim that the leak has been repaired three days ago.

“I have just come back from SSKM Hospital where I was given 10 bottles of drip. The tank that was constructed by the KMC for water storage here has not been cleaned for more than five years,” said Madhab Paswan, a conservancy worker.

Residents also complained that the water was muddy and emitted a foul smell.

“Diarrhoea has become a chronic problem here. Every household has a diarrhoea patient. I was given four bottles of drip yesterday at SSKM Hospital,” said Shanti Mallick, another resident.

Residents of many areas in Bhowanipore in wards 71 and 73 also have a similar story to tell.

Dr Chandan Ray of the emergency ward at the SSKM admitted that he has seen quite a few patients of diarrhoea and even enteric diseases.

“I have got patients of gastroenteritis and have referred them to the ID hospital after giving them the basic intra-venous fluid,” he added.

At present, the KMC is on a damage control mode. “I have arranged for replacement of old pipelines in the area as contamination is becoming a common feature due to the presence of old pipes. Besides, we have arranged for the distribution of ORS and halogen tablets to all households,” said ward 73 Councillor Ratan Malakar.

The civic body, however, still chooses to overlook the problem. Even after the water samples were tested, KMC denied gastroenteritis and preferred to call it a stray case of diarrhoea.