What Is E. Coli Infection? Know Symptoms, Causes and Preventive Tips

Bhopal, January 10: Recent laboratory tests have confirmed the presence of E. coli bacteria in groundwater across several residential pockets of Bhopal. The contamination was detected during routine water quality monitoring, prompting health authorities to issue an urgent public health advisory.

Officials have cautioned residents who depend on borewells and hand pumps to avoid direct consumption of untreated water. While the municipal piped water supply is still under examination, the detection of E. coli in groundwater has raised serious concerns about sanitation lapses, sewage leakage, and the risk of waterborne disease outbreaks in the city. Indore Water Crisis: Residents of Bakery Gali Claim Using Contaminated, Insect-Infested Water.

What Is E. Coli Infection?

Escherichia coli (E. coli) is a broad group of bacteria commonly found in the environment, food, and the intestines of humans and animals. Most E. coli strains are harmless and essential for gut health. However, certain pathogenic strains can cause serious illnesses. Indore Water Contamination Row: Citywide Water Supply Survey to Be Conducted for 7 Days, Says Mayor Pushyamitra Bhargav.

In the context of the Bhopal groundwater contamination, the primary concern is intestinal infection caused by ingesting water contaminated with fecal matter. These harmful strains can lead to ailments ranging from acute diarrhea and urinary tract infections to severe complications affecting the kidneys and lungs.

Symptoms

Symptoms of pathogenic E. coli infection usually appear within 3 to 4 days of consuming contaminated water, though onset may range from 1 to 10 days. Common symptoms include:

• Severe abdominal cramps and stomach tenderness

• Sudden watery diarrhea, which may later become bloody

• Nausea and occasional vomiting

• Mild fever, weakness, and fatigue

Most healthy adults recover within a week. However, children, senior citizens, and people with weak immunity face a higher risk of developing hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS), a potentially life-threatening condition that can cause acute kidney failure.

Causes

The presence of E. coli in groundwater is mainly due to fecal-oral contamination, which occurs when human or animal waste enters drinking water sources. In urban and semi-urban areas like Bhopal, common causes include:

• Leaking or poorly maintained septic tanks

• Broken or aging sewage pipelines

• Overflowing drains during rainfall

• Agricultural runoff seeping into the water table

Since groundwater drawn from borewells is often used without advanced filtration, contamination can go unnoticed. Importantly, E. coli does not alter the taste, smell, or color of water, making laboratory testing essential.

Preventive Tips

To reduce the risk of E. coli infection, health experts advise residents in affected areas to take the following precautions:

• Boil Water: Bring drinking water to a rolling boil for at least one minute before use

• Chlorination: Use chlorine tablets or approved bleach solutions as per health department guidelines

• Maintain Hygiene: Wash hands thoroughly with soap after using the toilet, handling raw food, and before meals

• Water Testing: Get private borewell water tested regularly at certified laboratories

• Food Safety: Wash fruits and vegetables with treated water and cook meat thoroughly to avoid cross-contamination

Health authorities have urged residents to stay alert and follow advisories until groundwater quality improves and further test results are released.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Jan 10, 2026 03:00 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).