No System to Check Water Quality in Coimbatore

COIMBATORE:  There is still no mechanism available in the city to monitor private water tankers that supply drinking water, say experts.

When contacted, an official of the Health Department, Corporation, said, “Water does not come under our control. It is being looked after by the water division of the corporation.”

When Express contacted the Superintendent of the Water division, he said, “We supply tap water and do not monitor water tankers. The Corporation had supplied water in tankers years ago, but now, it is all no more.”

Officials of the Food Safety Department also do not monitor these water tankers. When contacted, the Food Safety Wing Designated Officer (Coimbatore) R Kathiravan, told Express, “We take care of only packaged drinking water.”

There are hundreds of private water tankers, but none are being monitored by any department. A representatives of Senthil Water Suppliers told Express, “We don’t have a licence to supply water but we have been supplying water to offices, flats and hotels for years.” When asked about the quality of water, he said, “You drink it before buying it.” When asked to prove water quality and the test result from any lab, he said, “We cannot provide test results. If you need water, buy it by paying Rs 1,500 for a 4,000-lire tanker.” He didn’t disclose the source of the water either.

Various consumer organisations have derided the officials for not taking steps to monitor water supply. “We have been fighting for years to set certain standards to the quality of drinking water supplied by private tankers, but it has not become a reality. This is such a horrible situation where people’s basic right to have potable water is denied,” said Nirmala Desikan, Chairman and Managing Trustee, Consumer Association of India.