The Kathmandu Metropolitan City (KMC) has banned the sale and distribution of 11 drinking water brands after detecting fecal coliform in samples from these companies. The authorities fined each brand Rs 200,000 and directed the companies to deposit the fines in the metropolis’ revenue account. Additionally, KMC instructed further testing of the contaminated water in government laboratories, with sales permits to be reissued only if the results show zero fecal coliform.
KMC collected water samples from various locations between August 29 and September 13. Following consumer complaints, a sample from one source was tested at Kathmandu Valley Drinking Water Limited. Out of the 21 samples sent for testing, 11 were found to contain fecal coliform, exceeding the Colony Forming Unit (CFU) standard per 100 milliliters. The government mandates that processed drinking water must contain zero coliform for safe consumption.
Among the contaminated samples, Batch No. 13 of Fresh Drop water had 23 CFU, while a sample from Pancharatna Group in Tokha Municipality, Ward-8, collected on September 3 after complaints, was also found contaminated. Batch No. 12 of Aqua Peace water, tested on August 28, had 80 CFU, and Aqua Tokha had 30 CFU. Aqua Peace is produced by Peace Spring Water in Tokha-8, and Aqua Tokha is produced by Aqua S.N.S. Beverage in Tokha.
On September 9, Batch No. 6 of Kolbhoteshwar water, produced by Uttar Bahini Food and Beverage in Kageshwori Manohara, had 116 CFU. Further tests on September 9 revealed fecal coliform in multiple brands, including Aqua DB (5 CFU), Aqua (17 CFU), Cube Process Drinking Water (over 300 CFU), and Aqua Mild (21 CFU). These brands are produced by various companies in Gokarneshwar and Kageshwori Manohara.
On September 13, coliform was found in Aqua Kapan (4 CFU) and Aqua Gaurishankar (over 300 CFU). Aqua Kapan is produced by M.K. Mineral Water Industry in Budhanilkantha, and Aqua Gaurishankar by Koshi Mineral Industry in Gokarneshwar.