Hetaunda, August 22:

Water from a source serving some 350 households in Simalthali village of Basamadi VDC-5 adjoining the Hetauda municipality has been found unfit for drinking. The village is located behind the multinational company Unilever Nepal Limited.

Laboratory tests showed the water contains cholera bacteria and other bacteria in it. The Makwanpur district public health office sent samples of the water to the Kathmandu-based Cement Water Lab Pvt Ltd for laboratory tests after an outbreak of diarrhoea in Simalthali around July-end. After tests, the laboratory sent a report saying that the water was not potable and that Simalthali residents would be well advised not to drink it.