KARACHI, May 21: A focal group monitoring the presence of Naegleria fowleri in water supply mains of Karachi said on Tuesday that the chlorine level in 30 of the 110 samples they had collected was not up to the set standards.

The focal group includes one representative each from the Karachi Water and Sewerage Board and the KMC’s public health department, and three others from the provincial health department.

A statement issued by the KWSB said the 110 samples collected from throughout the city were tested in the Naegleria monitoring laboratory and the chlorine level was not as per standards in 30 samples. The focal persons have been made responsible to collect samples from across the city and take measure to ensure safer chlorine levels in the supply based on lab testing reports. They will submit reports to the head of their respective departments.

Officials said the steps had been taken to ensure that the standard chlorine level was maintained in the water supply to the city. Samples collected from the city would be used to find out the chlorine- deficient areas to improve their levels.

KWSB managing director Misbahuddin Farid said he had ordered the department to ensure a healthy and clean water supply to the people as a measure to effectively combat Naegleria.

He said all executive engineers had been directed to collect samples from the tail-end areas and submit them to the Naegleria monitoring cell at the COD Filter Plant for lab testing. The focal group would prepare a daily report based on lab tests. “We are striving to further improve the quality of water within our limited resources. It is our first and far most priority,” said Mr Farid.

Meanwhile, KMC administrator Syed Hashim Raza Zaidi said on Tuesday that officials had collected 170 samples of water from various areas of the city to check their chlorine levels.

He said Federal B Area was badly affected by the disease last year, thus a survey of that neighbourhood was conducted and water samples were taken. He said despite a shortage of funds necessary medicines etc for treatment and protection from Naegleria were being supplied to KMC hospitals and clinics. He said katchi abadis were being given more importance in collecting water samples where the possibility of the ‘brain-eating’ amoeba was greater.

He said the KMC was improving chlorine levels in its swimming pools as a precautionary measure.

Underground and overhead tanks should be cleaned and every possible precaution taken for protection from the disease, he said.