Poor water quality of Mawlai water reservoir
By Our Reporter
Shillong: The PHE department is in the eye of the storm once again for lack of maintenance of the Umsohlang water reservoir at Mawlai from where drinking water is supplied to the residents of the area.
In an inspection conducted by the Mawlai Town Dorbar and other organisations here on Tuesday, it was found that the water collected in one of the reservoir at Mawlai Motsyiar has turned into sludge due to lack of maintenance.
The inspection was carried out following complaints about the quality of drinking water being supplied to the residents of Mawlai.
Earlier in November last year, the Hynniewtrep National Youth Front (HNYF) and a group of journalists had conducted an inspection of the Umsohlang water reservoir and found that the water source was polluted as waste was being directly discharged into the source.
Talking to reporters here on Tuesday, president of Mawlai town Dorbar, SD Khongwir, said, “The water collected at the reservoir is not fit for drinking at all.”
“Most of the residents in Mawlai use the water supplied by the PHE for drinking and washing purposes which is unhealthy,” Khongwir pointed out.
Khongwir called upon the PHE department to make arrangement for cleaning of all the reservoirs at Mawlai to ensure supply of safe drinking water to the people.
Meanwhile, Superintending Engineer PHE Electrical Circle, Shillong, SH Nongkynrih, while defending the PHE department, stated that the water pumped from the source is properly treated and hence safe enough for consumption.
“The sludge that has accumulated in the reservoir could be due to be leakage in the pipelines and some other factors,” he added.
He claimed that the dirt in the water was there only because the pipelines leading from the source to the reservoirs were dirty, even as he assured that the department would start cleaning all the reservoirs in Mawlai besides replacing the damaged pipelines.
“We will sit and discuss to find ways and means to monitor the water supply so that people can get clean and safe water,” he stated.
Meanwhile, the Executive Engineer (PHE), Investigation Division, Shillong has informed the residents of Mawlai that the Mawlai Water Supply Scheme would be placed under shutdown with effect from April 4 to 5 for cleaning of all the reservoirs. Water supply in Mawlai would be affected for two days in view of the shutdown, the PHE informed.
