The Hindu 13.11.2009
‘Super chlorination’ for drinking water sources
Special Correspondent
| Health camps to be conducted along the Vaigai riverbed |
—Photo: S. James 
DISEASE-prone: A view of the river Vaigai, in Madurai.
MADURAI: Health officials on Thursday ordered for ‘super chlorination’ at all drinking water sources of Madurai city in view of heavy rains.This decision was taken to prevent drinking water contamination and to ensure that safe water is supplied to city residents, according to V. Subramaniam, City Health Officer (CHO), Madurai Corporation. He said that the normal chlorination level may not be adequate during monsoon rains and an additional dose of chlorine would be better because rain water could get mixed with drinking water.
The CHO said that the health wing of the Madurai Corporation is also taking steps to supply chlorine tablets to those households in the peripherals of city which draw drinking water from various other sources. “A meeting was convened by the Mayor and Commissioner to discuss the steps for prevention of water-borne diseases. It has been decided to go for super chlorination,” Dr. Subramaniam said. Besides taking precautionary step of double chlorination, the civic body has also given directions to hotels/restaurants in the city to provide only boiled drinking water for customers.
“Our sanitary inspectors will issue notice to hotels in their jurisdiction and also visit them to see if they are supplying boiled water. Hotel owners must cooperate in implementing the order,” the CHO said. Dr. Subramaniam informed that the priority of Corporation health officials is to focus on people living along the Vaigai riverbed by conducting mass screening health camps to check fever cases. One medical camp is being conducted for every three wards in the city and so far 12 health camps were conducted, he said. On Thursday, a camp was held at S. S. Colony. Also, areas like Thathaneri and Kochadai have been put under surveillance by health officials. Fogging operation is going to be strengthened in places where water stagnation will be usually high during rains.
