NASHIK: After a debate during the general body meeting (GBM) of Nashik Municipal Corporation (NMC) on Monday over the use of poly aluminium chloride (PAC) in its water filtration plants on grounds that it was a health hazard, the NMC has decided to examine its use.

The proposal to purchase 2,500 metric tonnes of liquid alum amounting to Rs 1.59 crore in water filtrations plants in the city was tabled at the meeting on Monday.

Corporators accused the NMC administration of giving tenders to a particular contractor only. They also slammed the administration for not reducing the quantity in the proposal as around 700 metric tonnes of liquid alum had already been purchased before.

Approving the proposal to purchase liquid alum, mayor Yatin Wagh said, "The approval is being given to purchase liquid alum by reducing the quantity which the water department purchased recently under municipal commissioner's power." He also directed the NMC administration to invite the tender at state level to get competitive rates.

Wagh instructed the civc administration to also heed the advice of experts on the use of PAC and its reports at the next GBM.

"Two months of monsoon have already passed and the proposal to purchase liquid alum is being pushed only now by the administration so that it could be approved on grounds of public health. The terms and conditions for the purchase of liquid alum is made by the administration only keeping a specific contractor in mind. On the contrary, Thane, Mumbai and Pune municipal corporations are using poly aluminium Chloride (PAC) for water filtration. Pune municipal corporation (PMC) uses 70% PAC and 30% liquid alum. At this juncture, why is the NMC administration is pushing for the purchase of liquid alum instead of using PAC for water filtration?" asked Gurumit Bagga an independent member.

R K Pawar, superintending engineer, water supply department of NMC said, "Around 350 to 390 million litres of water is supplied to the city per day and we require around 2,200 metric tonnes of liquid alum a year. This year, we have given the proposal of purchasing 2,500 metric tonnes of liquid alum. We have already purchased 700 metric tonnes of liquid alum through tenders as per the rights of the municipal commissioner. But this quantity will be reduced from purchasing quantities of the present proposal."

"We had used PAC for water filtration around five six years ago, but the resolution to stop the use of PAC on ground of health hazard had been passed at that time at the GBM. But, advice of experts in this connection will be taken," Pawar said.