Corporation to keep tab on drinking water quality in Kozhikode

KOZHIKODE: Finally, the corporation authorities have taken steps to put in place a permanent mechanism to check the quality of drinking water being supplied from Mananchira pond, the main drinking water reservoir in the city. The civic body has entrusted the senior health inspector of the area to ensure that only safe drinking water is supplied from the reservoir to various parts of the city.The senior health inspector assisted by two health inspectors will conduct periodic checking of the water quality

. Mayor A K Premajam has asked the health staff to chlorinate the water to ensure zero coliform bacteria. The civic body has also urged the health staff to provide bleaching powder to private parties fetching water directly from the reservoir using tanker trucks. The health officials have been directed to submit reports on the periodic water quality tests they conduct.The decision in this regard was taken at a meeting of health officials convened by the mayor on Monday. The civic body has three main water sources within its limit -- Neelichira, Mananchira and Thamarakulam.

Hotels and institutions in the city depend mainly on the water from Mananchira reservoir.The corporation has been inviting the wrath of people from all walks of life for the absence of a mechanism to check the quality of drinking water supplied from the reservior.The opposition in the council demanded a permanent facility in the corporation after an incident of untreated water supplied by private parties in Ernakulam had been brought to the notice of the authorities.

The test conducted by the Centre for Water Resources Development and Management (CWRDM) had also confirmed the presence of coliform bacteria in the water sample taken from Mananchira pond.Deputy mayor P T Abdul Latheef had in the council meeting held in April had mooted an idea of entrusting the CWRDM to check water quality."We will conduct similar quality checks by taking water samples from Neelachira and Thamarakkulam ponds also. We are also considering a project to set up a permanent mechanism to test the quality of drinking water in the city in the 2012-2013 People's Plan," said the mayor.