Pune Municipal Corporation seals 19 RO plants after water contamination linked to GBS outbreak

In a significant crackdown, the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) has sealed 19 private reverse osmosis (RO) plants in the Nanded village area, which has emerged as the epicentre of the Guillain-Barré Syndrome (GBS) outbreak. Tests confirmed that water from these facilities was unfit for drinking, prompting immediate action by authorities.

On Wednesday, four new suspected cases of GBS, a severe nerve disorder, were reported in Pune district, pushing Maharashtra’s overall tally to 170. The sealed RO plants, located in the Dhayari-Nanded region, had been supplying bottled water to a large section of the local population.

Following the discovery of contaminated water, PMC’s water supply department has announced plans to introduce standard operating procedures (SOPs) to curb the distribution of unsafe drinking water in the area. According to PMC’s Additional Commissioner Prithviraj P. B., an investigation into water samples collected from private RO plants revealed that 19 such facilities were supplying unfit drinking water, leading to their immediate closure.

Further analysis of the contaminated water revealed the presence of Escherichia coli (E. coli) bacteria, a known health hazard. PMC’s water supply department head, Nandkishor Jagtap, stated that private water suppliers have been instructed to use bleaching powder solutions provided by the PMC to contain the bacterial contamination.

Meanwhile, a rapid response team investigating the GBS outbreak in Nanded village and nearby localities on Sinhagad Road found that the drinking water supplied to 26 suspected GBS patients’ homes lacked chlorine, a key disinfectant. Experts believe this could be a contributing factor to the outbreak.

GBS is a rare but serious condition that causes sudden numbness and muscle weakness, with severe cases leading to paralysis. As authorities work to mitigate the crisis, efforts are underway to ensure safe drinking water access and prevent further spread of the disorder.