The Hindu 10.06.2010
Contamination of drinking water dominates meeting
K. Lakshmi & Deepa H. Ramakrishnan
| “Shortage of Metrowater field-level staff adds to problem” |
Bids received for procuring equipment, including ‘Desiltman,' under evaluation
12 special teams headed by Superintending Engineers formed to monitor water quality
CHENNAI: Complaints of mixing of sewage in drinking water dominated a joint coordination meeting between officials of the Chennai Metrowater and the Chennai Corporation at Ripon Building on Wednesday.
Corporation zonal chairmen said lack of adequate Metrowater field-level staff also added to the problem.
Municipal administration and Water Supply Secretary Niranjan Mardi, who was present at the meeting, said bids received in response to a tender for procuring equipment, including ‘Desiltman' and super-suction machine, were under evaluation.
Purchase orders would be placed shortly.
The super-suction machines are meant to clear silt and sewage in both pipelines and manhole locations.
He said Metrowater had also taken up intensive surveillance of water quality by its Quality Assurance and Operation and Maintenance wings.
A total of 12 special teams headed by Superintending Engineers have been formed to monitor water quality. During maintenance, 462 tail-end pockets in the water pipeline have been flushed out, he said.
Mayor M.Subramanian said joint inspections were being carried out by 155 teams comprising officials of the Corporation and the Metrowater. Water tankers hired by the Board have been cleaned.
He asked the Metrowater to purchase the equipment before the north east monsoon.
“We have asked them to place information boards on the timings of water supply, especially in slums. This is to prevent people from pumping out residual silt in pipeline during non-supply hours,” he said.
Notices distributed
Metrowater officials said they had already started distributing notices about the supply hours. Chennai Corporation Commissioner Rajesh Lakhoni, Chennai Metrowater Managing Director Shiv Das Meena, Chennai Corporation's ruling party leader N. Ramalingam, Opposition leader Saidai P.Ravi, zonal chairmen and Health Department officials participated in the meeting.
