Bhopal, Jan. 6 -- More than half of the ground water samples taken from multiple borewells in Indore's Bhagirathpura locality have tested positive for E coli bacteria,officials said on Monday, a day after the outbreak of waterborne diseases in the area that claimed at least 10 lives was declared an epidemic.

Indore district collector Shivam Verma on Monday said faecal coliform contamination was found in 35 out of 69 ground water samples lifted from borewells in the area. There are around 514 borewells in Bhagirathpura ; about 400 are in private homes, providing water for drinking and household chores.

Some houses in the area have both piped water connections and borewells.

The outbreak was thrust into the public spotlight on December 2...