Qoubayat Municipality Reveals Water Quality Test Results
In a statement released on Friday, the Municipality of Qoubayat in North Lebanon addressed the recent findings from its drinking water tests. The municipality emphasized that the issue of Qoubayat’s water quality is not to be discussed on social media. Instead, they will only publish an official report from food science and technology expert, Hussein Dib, which will transparently present the results and data.
Test Results and Findings
The municipality collected water samples from various points within the primary and secondary distribution networks in Qoubayat. This was done in collaboration with specialists in food science and technology. The aim was to verify compliance with Lebanese and international standards (ISO 161:2016) regarding microbiological indicators and assess the water’s safety.
The official laboratory analysis revealed the following:
- The presence of Total Coliforms in some samples, ranging from 1 to 28 colony-forming units per 100 ml. The permissible limit is 0-100 ml in drinking water.
- No presence of E. coli was recorded, indicating the absence of direct fecal contamination.
- The detected contamination is minor and limited, often resulting from leaks in older sections or a temporary weakness in the disinfection process, rather than a dangerous source of pollution.
Municipality’s Response and Action Plan
Based on the technical assessment, the water does not meet national standards from a microbiological perspective. However, the level of contamination is low and does not pose an immediate health risk. The Municipality of Qoubayat has already begun implementing a plan to ensure water safety and quality, including:
- Regular chlorination with a carefully measured dose to ensure complete elimination of any bacterial contamination.
- Cleaning and disinfecting tanks and pumping lines before restarting the network.
- Conducting periodic follow-up tests during the first month to confirm the stability of the results and the consistency of water quality.
- Launching a phased maintenance plan to replace old sections and address leaks in the network.
The Municipality of Qoubayat stressed that the health of the residents remains its top priority. They are closely and continuously monitoring this issue with the relevant authorities and accredited laboratories to ensure the permanent safety and quality of the water. The municipality advised citizens not to take individual or random samples, as this could lead to inaccurate results and unnecessary confusion. They encourage everyone to obtain information only from official sources to maintain accuracy and transparency in addressing this vital matter.
Conclusion
The Municipality reassured the people of Qoubayat that the situation is under control. The implementation of regular chlorination and network maintenance are sufficient to restore the water’s compliance with national standards within a short period, ensuring that Qoubayat’s water remains safe and suitable as it has always been. The source of this information is Annahar.
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