Jal Shakti Dept asked to install treatment plant for water scheme
Taking stern view of the presence of feacol coliform found in the drinking water supply scheme of Larah in Kasauli area, a National Green Tribunal (NGT) appointed committee has directed the Jal Shakti Department (JSD) to install sewage treatment plant (STP) and ensure apt treatment of the water in the said scheme.
The NGT had taken note of a news item “Kasauli Distillery dumps effluents into water source, supply affected” which appeared in these columns in December 2023. The tribunal constituted a joint committee to examine the water source which found that feacol coliform perpetually polluted the water of the said scheme where some hotels also let out their sewage waste.
Samples were drawn from the intake point and outlet points of the scheme to test the quality of water.
The laboratory analysis results of the final outlet of water supply scheme undertaken by the joint committee and analysed by the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) had indicated the presence of faecal coliform and total coliform in the water even after chlorination which was the lone water treatment undertaken by the department. As per the Indian Standard of drinking water - specification (IS 10500: 2012), the water intended for drinking or treated for drinking should not contain E coli or thermo tolerant coliform bacteria, and total coliform bacteria.
"Water Supply Scheme of Jal Shakti Vibhag is required to be upgraded in terms of treatment of organic and microbial contaminants by implementing appropriate stages including but not limited to pre-chlorination, chemical and/or biological treatment, to ensure supply of safe drinking water," the committee headed by Deputy Commissioner had recommended. Members of state and central pollution control boards were also part of the committee.
The Jal Shakti Department (JSD) has been directed to review the treatment system of the said water supply scheme and provide an apt tertiary treatment and disinfection system before distributing the water to the gram panchayat of Garkhal and Sanawar.
The revelation has put a question mark on the water disinfectant system of the Jal Shakti Department which was barely confined to primary treatment of chlorination.
“The installation of a Sewage Treatment Plant {STP) at the said scheme would prevent discharge of untreated domestic/sewage waste into the drains leading to the Water Supply Scheme of Jal Shakti Vibhag which is used to supply drinking water supply to nearby village panchayats,” noted the committee
The Jal Shakti Department has to submit an action taken report in compliance with the directions of the NGT before the next date of hearing in January 2025. Following this the JSD Dharampur was directed to take immediate measures to ensure compliance to drinking water standards and provide safe drinking water to the residents by the joint committee.
Assistant Engineer JSD Bhanu Uday, when asked, said they are preparing the project report for installing a STP and providing apt water purification system for the said scheme. He added that a cluster scheme would be worked out to set up a STP for the area.
