Scientists warn of diseases lurking in stagnant water during lockdown

Water stored in tanks and pipelines of different establishments which have been closed for long due to the lockdown, is matter of grave concern for many countries as scientists have warned the water might contain various viruses and bacteria that could cause serious health risks.

Schools, colleges, factories and offices have been closed in most of the countries across world due to the coronavirus shutdown. In Bangladesh the government has extended the general holiday till 16 May. Schools, colleges, offices and factories will be closed for more than a month and a half.

Various kinds of harmful bacteria, viruses and other types of germs may grow in these buildings that are closed for a long time. In particular, there is a risk of germs breeding in water stored in tanks and water pipes of these buildings.

Popular science journal 'Nature' recently published a report on the issue. It said water that has been stored in the water tanks and pipes of different buildings for a long time can give birth to various kinds of harmful germs and therefore, it is important to sterilise the water before use.

The Nature Research Journal published a report on 28 April on the threat posed to health by stagnant water at various installations during the lockdown due to COVID-19 outbreak. Nature's report says that due to the lockdown, various institutions including universities are closed.

Harmful bacteria have been born in the water stored in these buildings. The biggest threat is the bacterium Legionella. These bacteria are transmitted to the human respiratory tract. Scientists have warned that it is important to be aware of the stagnant water in various installations before opening.

Mahfuzul Haque, a professor in the Department of Microbiology at Dhaka University, told Prothom Alo, "Most institutions, including schools, colleges, universities and factories, are closed due to the coronavirus. Stagnant water will produce a variety of harmful germs, including bacteria. If these waters are not properly disinfected before the institution opens, it will pose a major health risk.”

“The water that has accumulated in the underground and tanks of various institutions including factories and offices has to be disinfected, otherwise various types of diseases including diarrhoea will spread through the contaminated water.”

Health experts say when water remains dormant for long, it produces various harmful bacteria, viruses and other types of germs. Due to the coronavirus shutdown, various government and private organisations including factories have been closed for more than a month.

Water is accumulated in various places including water storage tanks of these buildings and various kinds of harmful germs have been bred in these waters.

Architect Iqbal Habib said, "The water that is stagnant during the lockdown is a big threat to us. If we can't sterilise the water right now, a number of infectious disease may spread from that. It will put a huge strain on our healthcare system. Besides, Aedes mosquitoes will breed in the water stored in the open spaces of the buildings, causing another bigger threat.”

On 8 March, the first coronavirus patient was identified in Bangladesh. After that, the government announced the closure of all types of educational institutions including schools, colleges and universities from 17 March to prevent coronavirus infection.

Most of the transport, government and private offices have been closed since 26 March. So far, 8,790 people have been diagnosed with coronavirus in Bangladesh while 175 people died.

The chief health officer of Dhaka North City Corporation Md Mominur Rahman agreed that the stagnant water has already created health risks.

He said, "During the shutdown, the water stored in various public and private installations and in the buildings under construction is a threat to us. If we don't dispose of water or disinfect it, it will be a big danger for us. The authorities of organisations including city corporations should be aware of the need to get rid of the stagnant water and disinfect the storage spaces.”

Architect Iqbal Habib told Prothom Alo, "Stagnant water in public and private constructions in different parts of the country, including Dhaka, must be removed or disinfected."

“If we look at the history of infectious diseases in the past few years, we can see that contagious diseases have spread from the water that has been dormant for a long time. Aedes mosquito larvae are born in still clear water,” he added.

Professor Mahfuzul Haque of Dhaka University, expressing his deep concern, said harmful bacteria are born in the water stored in the pots for plants in different institutions.

“Water is the food for bacteria. Bacteria may get into our food chain through water. There are a number of bacterial diseases in our country which are uncommon. As a result, water stored in various installations, including factories, needs to be disinfected as soon as possible to avoid this danger,” he added.

The stagnant water in various installations is being removed, said Dhaka South City Corporation chief waste management officer, air commodore Zahid Hossain.

He said, “The Ministry of Local Government instructed to keep the various government establishments which are closed due to coronavirus, clean and tidy. We are working on this. We are aware of the matter that Aedes mosquitoes and other bacteria are born in stagnant water which is a big threat to our health.”

Atiqul Islam, mayor of Dhaka's North City Corporation, called for the removal of stagnant water in homes, buildings and institutions.

He said, “We know that Aedes mosquitoes are born in stagnant water. Accumulated water in different places including houses can bring us danger. Please throw away unused water.”

However, environment expert Ainun Nishat said that people do not bother about disposing stagnant water in various places including houses.

"We don't clean the stored water lying behind the school compounds during the regular days. Factories do not clean the water accumulated on the roof of the buildings,” he added.

*This piece, originally published in Prothom Alo Bangla online, has been rewritten in English by Farjana Liakat