SHILLONG: PHE Minister Prestone Tynsong said water supplied by the department from GSWS and Mawlai Umsohlang water works is potable and fit for drinking and admitted that the initial muddy water was owing to corroded old pipes.
Replying to a call attention motion tabled by Ardent Basaiawmoit (HSPDP) in the House on Thursday on the muddy water supplied to the city residents, Tynsong said GSWS water works is equipped with a laboratory that is manned 24 hours where the parameters of incoming raw water and outgoing treated water are monitored at regular intervals.
“Samples of water were also regularly collected at equal intervals from different reservoirs of the scheme, including Umsohlang water works, for testing by King Edward VII Memorial Pasteur Institute, Shillong, and Meghalaya State Pollution Control Board (MSPCB),” Tynsong said.
According to the minister, the July and August analysis reports from both Pasteur Institute and MSPCB indicated that the water supplied by the Department from GSWS and Mawlai Umsohlang water works is potable and fit for consumption.
He, however, said consumers may still get muddy water on opening the tap and this is owing to leakages of GI supply pipes laid over ground or through drain. “When these pipes are pressurised, i.e. when supply is made, leakages occur from the pipes. And, when these pipes are de-pressurized, i.e. when supply is stopped, water from outside enter the pipes through the leakages,” the minister said.
According to Tynsong, in case of Umsohlang water supply scheme, since distribution was laid 42 years ago, pipes are highly corroded and when water is supplied through these pipes, reddish water comes out initially, he said.
In order to overcome this phenomenon, PHE department has envisaged laying of loop distribution network in all parts of the city under phase-III of GSWS project and this will do away with long individual bunch connections which are largely responsible for grievances of people.”Once completed, this system will help in preventing unwanted contamination, pilferage and also ensure regular availability of water in the system instead of intermittent supply,” he added.
