KOCHI: The second phase of water quality checks conducted across wells in six districts has found that the water is safe for domestic use. The analysis revealed that the presence of bacterial content and alkalinity of the well water in flood-affected areas have come down drastically.
The inspection was carried out by the Kerala State Pollution Control Board (KSPCB), Kerala Water Authority (KWA), Food Safety Department, Haritha Keralam Mission, Panchayat and Urban Affairs Department. The second phase inspection was held from October 9 to 15.
Even though the plan was to check 65,000 wells in Alappuzha, Pathanamthitta, Wayanad, Ernakulam, Thrissur and Kottayam districts, the inspection managed to cover less than half of the number. “As many as 29,416 wells were checked in six districts that were affected by the flood. Thanks to frequent chlorination, the water quality has improved,” said KSPCB Ernakulam regional chief environmental engineer M A Baiju.
In Ernakulam, as many as 10,806 wells were checked and it was found that the water is safe for domestic use. During the first phase inspection in September, the inspectors found the presence of chloroform bacteria. “However, before the second phase checking, proper chlorination was carried out. The government and agencies carried out the cleaning of the wells,” said Baiju. KSPCB will come out with a report about the water quality in the next few days. “The results of the samples examined at the lab are yet to come. We will provide the results to LSG bodies. The well owners can access the results from civic bodies in their respective areas,” said a KSPCB officer.