Baghdad: A member of the Babil Provincial Council has raised concerns about the presence of bacteria in the local drinking water supply, sparking a dispute with the Babil Water Department. Hussein al-Dahmoushi, a council member, accused the department of not maintaining high purification standards at water treatment facilities in Hillah, alleging that this oversight has resulted in bacterial contamination.

According to National Iraqi News Agency, al-Dahmoushi stated that initial tests on water samples revealed bacteria known to cause diarrhea and vomiting in humans. This accusation has prompted a response from the water department, with the Director, Engineer Aqeel Tarad, firmly denying the presence of any contamination. Tarad insisted that thorough testing has confirmed the water’s safety, assuring residents that the drinking water is free from any harmful bacteria.