13.07.2024 11:01
People queuing up to fill water from the fountains near the city center in Antalya created a long line. Those filling water from the source known as Değirmen Önü in the Konyaaltı district ignored the warning sign hung by the municipality stating "Not suitable for drinking water consumption". Even the barbed wire put as a precautionary measure was cut by the citizens.
Despite the warning that there are bacteria in the spring on the roadside in Antalya, the number of people filling water has increased, so the municipality teams renewed the sign that says 'Not suitable for consumption' and surrounded the area with garden wire. Those who do not believe in the presence of bacteria in the spring continue to cut a part of the wire surrounding the area and take the water they fill in plastic bottles.
The increase in the price of bottled water has led people to reduce their expenses on drinking water in the kitchen and meet their water needs from unhealthy sources. The idea of 'spring water from the mountains and forests' has attracted attention to the water flowing from the fountains on the roadside. The number of people who meet their drinking water needs from the fountains on the roads that provide access to mountainous and forested areas and plateaus has increased.
FILLING UP WITH PLASTIC BOTTLES
In Antalya, people who line up to fill water in jugs, 5-liter plastic bottles, or large buckets in the fountains near the city center have formed long queues. While those who live in the nearby area take as much water as they need daily, some come to the fountain with their vehicles or bicycles, fill their buckets and bottles with water, and take it home. Some wash fruits, have picnics around the spring, while others swim in the water and spend time where it flows.
PAINTED SIGN CHANGED
However, those who fill water from the source known as Değirmen Önü in Hurma Neighborhood, which is connected to the Konyaaltı district, did not pay attention to the warning sign that has been hanging for years, saying 'Coliform bacteria has been detected in this water source by our municipality. It is not suitable for drinking water'. After the yellow paint covering the area indicating the bacterial parameters and the 'not suitable' phrase written in capital letters were painted white by unknown individuals, the sign was changed as the number of people filling water increased.
TWO TYPES OF BACTERIA DETECTED
Municipal teams, who hung the renewed sign and surrounded the area with garden wire to prevent the entry, also installed barbed wire on top of the wire. The teams that took samples from the source conducted a new analysis of the water. In the analysis, 1 kob (colony forming unit) of Escherichia coli and 59 kob of coliform bacteria were detected in 100 milliliters of water.
WIRE CUT, NEW ENTRY MADE
Despite the renewal of the warning sign, the determination that the bacteria presence continued with the sample taken on June 4, and the enclosure with barbed wire as a precaution, people continued to take water. Those who cut the garden wire and created a new entrance to the area continued to fill water in plastic bottles and take it home. The locals argued that they believed that the water flowing from the spring, which they have been using as drinking water for years, is healthy. Those who do not believe in the presence of bacteria in the spring cited reasons such as 'the area will be sold', 'water companies made up the story for more profit', and 'residents of the surrounding buildings complaining about the density in the spring' as the basis for the attempt to create a perception that the water is harmful to health.
"SOME THINK THIS IS DONE FOR PROFIT"
Mustafa Erdemir, one of the locals, explained that he used to meet his drinking water needs from the spring in the past. Erdemir, who stated that he did not take water from the spring after the bacteria warning, said, "People continue to take water from here. When I ask, they say, 'We have been drinking water from here for 30 years. Nothing happened.' Some think this is done for profit. They do not believe in the warning, thinking that someone will take over this place. If bacteria are detected, I think we should follow the warning given for our health."
"IT CAN CAUSE BLOODY DIARRHEA"
Ali Manavoğlu, the President of the Antalya Branch of the Chamber of Food Engineers, mentioned the parameters that determine the suitability of drinking water according to the regulations of the Ministry of Health. Manavoğlu emphasized that microbial hazards can be encountered in spring waters and said, "In some analyses of spring waters, coliform and E. coli bacteria can be found. These are microorganisms that have disease-causing effects originating from feces and soil. Especially people with low immune systems, children, those who have undergone chemotherapy and organ transplantation need to be more careful. These microorganisms can cause symptoms such as weakness, diarrhea, vomiting, fever, and eventually bloody diarrhea in the later stages."
"CONSUMERS EXPERIENCE SOME POISONINGS"
Manavoğlu reminded that 1 kob of Escherichia coli and 59 kob of coliform bacteria were detected in the analysis of the water from the spring and said, "These bacteria should not be present in the water at all. Although the amount of 1 kob of Escherichia coli in 100 milliliters seems small, if you drink 2 liters of water a day, you are consuming 20 bacteria. There are 59 coliform bacteria detected, which should be zero. There is a presence of microorganisms above the upper limit. The consumer needs to be careful. In fact, consumers experience some poisonings, but they do not realize it with thoughts like 'the sun, air conditioning affected me', 'I didn't cover myself while sleeping', 'I sweated a lot and drank cold water'."
PET BOTTLES SHOULD NOT BE USED MULTIPLE TIMES
Manavoğlu pointed out that the water flowing from the roadside springs and the multiple use of plastic bottles pose a health risk and said, "There is a high possibility of contamination in the water. Plastic bottles are suitable for single-use. When we put water in them and consume them repeatedly, we can get sick due to contamination from the plastic material and microorganisms from the spring water."
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