High levels of sulfate identified in Gota water during a recent water quality study can lead to sickness said Silva, the Director of Toxicology and Analysis of Water.

The Ministry of Health led study – based on testing of water from 15 different water companies in Timor-Leste - found that Gota’s water extracted from groundwater in Covalema by the Canossa Company and from Oecusseby the Lele Oil Company was not safe to drink.

Agua Cool, Waimori, VIP and the Iramor water brand were found to be consistentlyof good quality.

Groundwater can become salty through natural and manmade causes, including inefficient farmland irrigation and poor drainage.