BENGALURU: With the harsh summer setting in, the state government will soon issue an order to all chief executive officers of zilla panchayats to instruct gram panchayats within their jurisdictions to carry out a special campaign to test drinking water across the state.
The state has around 6,000 gram panchayats and their employees have been trained to conduct field tests. They check the water quality for 12 parameters -- potential of hydrogen (PH), chloride, fluoride, iron, nitrate, alkalinity, residual chlorine and total dissolved solids. The hydrogen sulfide test too is conducted to check the presence of bacteria.
The testing has been made mandatory after many drinking water contamination cases have been reported over the years across the state.
“The tests to be conducted by panchayat staff are basic. If any sample is found positive, it is sent to the lab for a water culture test. Water will be supplied only if there are no issues,” said a senior official.
Additional Chief Secretary (Rural Development and Panchayat Raj) Anjum Parvez told The New Indian Express that normally, instructions to test water are issued twice a year -- before and after monsoon. But water tests can be ordered at other times if needed.
“During pre-monsoon, groundwater level goes down and the quality of water has to be checked. Post monsoon, the flow of water is more, and the threat of contamination is not high, but even then water is tested. Potable drinking water is our priority,’’ he said.
Also, panchayat development officers and engineers regularly check drinking water supply pipes for any leakage, he added. Over the last few years, the state has reported cases of people falling ill after drinking contaminated water. The government has also taken action against such officials. Now, it is conducting special campaigns to avoid such cases.