Summer: Special campaign to test drinking water in gram panchayats..!

Bengaluru : Summer has begun and the state government is planning to launch a special campaign to test drinking water across the state.

The state government has made water testing mandatory following reports of several cases of contaminated water.

It is understood that the government is considering issuing orders to all chief executive officers of district panchayats to conduct water tests in the gram panchayats under their jurisdiction.

There are about 6,000 Gram Panchayats in the state, and their staff have been trained in these tests. The water quality will be tested for 12 parameters. Hydrogen (PH), Chloride, Fluoride, Iron, Nitrate, Alkalinity, Chlorine and Total Dissolved Solids. Bacteria and hydrogen sulfide tests will also be conducted.

These are routine tests and if any problems are found in the test report, the water sample is sent to the laboratory. If no problems are found, the water is supplied, said a senior official.

Generally, instructions are given to test water twice a year, before and after the monsoon. Additional Chief Secretary (Rural Development and Panchayat Raj) Anjum Parvez said that water testing can be conducted at any time if necessary.

During the rainy season, the water flow is high. Hence, pollution problems are not so common. During the summer, the groundwater level decreases. During this time, the water quality needs to be checked. Drinking water is our priority and needs to be checked. He said that the Panchayat Development Officers and engineers regularly conduct drinking water tests and check if there is any leakage in the supply pipes.