E. coli bacteria found in 70 percent of Jogjakarta, Indonesia wells

E. coli bacteria found in 70 percent of Jogjakarta, Indonesia wells

2011-06-23 21:35:27 GMT+7 (ICT)

JOGJAKARTA, INDONESIA (BNO NEWS) -- Indonesian health officials have expressed concern as reports show that around 70 percent of wells in Java's touristic city of Jogjakarta are contaminated by the E. coli bacteria, officials said Thursday.

Jogjakarta's Office of Environment Management (BLH) retrieved samples from 36 wells last year to conduct the study, which proved the existence of an E. coli contamination in 70 percent of them, BLH supervising chief Ika Rostika told Antara news agency.

However, Ika noted that despite the alarming percentage of contamination, 2010's study was considerably less than 2008's research investigation, which discovered the E. coli bacteria in 85 percent of the city's wells.

BLH authorities are continuing their clean and healthy lifestyle campaign, as they believe healthy habits can successfully prevent the spread of E. coli. Ika agreed but also noted that changing a person's lifestyle is "never easy." Meanwhile, Director of Sustainable Community Self-Help Institution, Agus Hartana, said community residents commonly overlook simple healthy practices, further contaminating the city and its wells, and degrading the community's health.

While contamination continues to spread, government officials are also trying to improve trash management. In addition, household waste deposit sites are close to city wells, contributing in the existence of the E. coli bacteria, which is a major component in human feces.

The city of Jogjakara, which is Indonesia's second most important tourist destination after the island of Bali, is scheduled to conduct another study at the end of the year.

-- © BNO News All rights reserved 2011-06-23