A recent water quality assessment has revealed that 37 out of 40 samples collected from various springs in Ganderbal and Srinagar have tested bacteriologically positive, rendering them unsafe for human consumption.
In a public notice issued by the Executive Engineer of the Jal Shakti Department for Ganderbal and rural Srinagar, residents have been urged to avoid consuming spring water and rely on tap water instead.
The department conducted a large-scale sampling and testing drive across Ganderbal district, confirming significant bacterial contamination in most of the tested sources.
“As such, these springs are unfit for human consumption,” the notice stated.
Residents in Ganderbal and rural Srinagar, where spring water is commonly used for drinking, have been advised to refrain from its use until further notice.
The department also recommended that, if necessary, spring water should only be consumed after prolonged boiling to reduce health risks.