The Indian Express            03.08.2013

27 samples of shallow water fail purity test

The proposal of the Municipal Corporation to make use of shallow water for the purpose of drinking seems to be headed towards failure. Reason: As many as 27 samples of shallow water collected from different places for testing were found unfit for human consumption. A total of 38 samples were to be tested.

With 9 million gallons daily (MGD) of water that is at present being used by Chandigarh to be diverted to Panchkula and Chandimandir by next summer, the city is likely to face scarcity of water. Keeping this in view, it was proposed that water from the shallow aquifers be tested to see whether it could be used for drinking purpose. At present, the water from shallow tubewells is being used for irrigating gardens and greenbelts.

Samples that were collected from these tubewells in different sectors could not pass the test of purity. Bacterial matter was found in the samples. Superintending Engineer (Public Health) R C Diwan says, "The samples have failed the test. The water is not fit for human consumption. We plan to get these tested by another authority to get a second opinion."

Chandigarh has no source of generation of water and is largely dependent for water supply on the Kajauli Water Works. With Chandigarh's proposal for augmentation of water supply being in the lurch due to the refusal of the Punjab government to release water, alternative sources of water are being explored.

Chandigarh receives 87 mgd water. Of this, 67 is canal water and the remaining is from tubewells. The civic body has recently approved a proposal to install 45 tubewells in different sectors. Concern was raised over the depleting groundwater level in the deep aquifers. In contrast, the city has adequate reserves of water in the shallow aquifers.

The tubewells that were installed in southern sectors over a period of time have not been found to be very successful. These tubewells start emitting sand faster than those installed in northern sectors. That is another reason that it was decided to explore the quality of water from the tubewells that were already installed. The samples were tested in the laboratory of the Municipal Corporation.

Keeping in view the likely scarcity, emphasis is now being laid on preventing wastage of water. It is proposed that measures be taken to reduce the wastage from 22 per cent at present to around 5 per cent.