KHOTANG: Around 1,200 households in Diktel Municipality of Khotang district were supplied with coliform-contaminated drinking water, a recent test found.

According to the test report, the water distributed by the Majhkhola Drinking Water Project had 30 per cent faecal coliforms while that of Rambakhola Project had 40 per cent.

Concerned authorities said the water was contaminated as its source was left uncovered.

Meanwhile, an emergency meeting of the District Administration Office (DAO) on Tuesday decided to decontaminate the source using 50 kg bleaching powder.

Diktel Bazaar Drinking Water Users' Committee Chairman Dhan Kumar Joshi said the Department of Water Supply and Sewerage (DWSS) had provided the powder after the case was reported.

At the meeting, Chief District Officer Govinda Sapkota had urged staff to control the contamination at the earliest. "I will provide sufficient human resources," the official said, "Please solve the issue at the earliest."