Kathmandu, June 16 -- As most sources of drinking water have been contaminated by rainwater, health workers have urged the public to boil water properly before drinking.

They said that even commercially purified jar water is not entirely safe to drink directly, as recent tests found the presence of deadly microbes-faecal coliform and E. coli-in samples tested recently.

"We urge everyone to ensure that water is safe before drinking," said Deepak KC, chief of the Health Department under the Kathmandu Metropolitan City. "A recent test showed the presence of E. coli and faecal coliform in the samples of jar water supplied to our office."

Faecal coliform and E. coli are microscopic organisms found in the intestines of warm-blooded animals o...