Rs 99.79 laks alloted for drinking water

Dharmapuri :Collector Pankaj Kumar Bansal addressing a sensitisation workshop on National Rural Water Quality Monitoring and Surveillance Programme in Dharmapuri on Tuesday.The Government has allotted an amount of Rs.99.79 lakh for implementation of National Rural Drinking Water Quality Monitoring and Surveillance programme in Dharmapuri district, said Collector Pankaj Kumar Bansal.

Speaking at a sensitisation workshop for panchayat presidents here on Tuesday, the Collector said that the programme aims to impart skills and awareness on how the local villagers could test the water quality by using simple water quality kits developed by Tamil Nadu Water Supply and Drainage Board (TWAD).

Officials from TWAD have imparted training in last December for SHG members, panchayat presidents and village volunteers. As part of strengthening effective convergence and cooperation of the local bodies the training was organised.

The water testing kits had been supplied to as many as 38 village panchayats in the district so far to check bacteriological contamination of water. Besides this about 90 kits would be supplied to panchayats in June. The remaining panchayats would be covered in a phased manner. Panchayat presidents should regularly monitor the water quality testing kits in their areas. They should also implement solid and liquid waste management in their panchayats.

Mr. Bansal said that lack of adequate awareness on handling of protected drinking water, contamination of ground water due to open defecation, improper handling of solid and liquid waste had resulted in prevalence of waterborne diseases among the rural folk.The project has been prepared to ensure that all families have easy access to safe and protected drinking water. SHG members, anganvadi workers, village health nurses and village volunteers would be involved in sanitary surveillance including initiating appropriate action for protection of water sources, effective maintenance of water bodies and regular maintenance of overhead tanks, distribution lines and hand pumps, Mr. Bansal added.