By Our Reporter
SHILLONG, Oct 4: A day after a report exposed the unsafe water being supplied in most parts of Shillong, VPP legislator Adelbert Nongrum on Wednesday held the state government accountable for the purported lapse in regard with public health.
The VPP leader expressed gratitude to the FKJGP, which had sent water samples from various localities of the city for lab tests to check if they were potable, for shining the light on this ‘unhealthy’ practice. Nongrum, who is the MLA from North Shillong, added that the supply of unsafe water is an irresponsible act by the concerned authority.
Asking all to condemn the act, Nongrum questioned if there is a loophole within the government machinery. “As per my source, there is no water analyst, no chief chemist to certify water quality and even there is no regular cleaning of the pipelines,” he said.
He also asked the concerned authorities to take strong action against whoever is responsible for failing to provide safe water to the people.
It may be noted that 44 out of 46 water samples, collected from 46 localities of Shillong, were found to be unsafe for drinking following lab tests.
The FKJGP had collected the samples following public complaints about the quality of water.
Some localities where the water was found to be unsafe include Oakland, Jail Road, Wahingdoh, Jaiaw Langsning, Lumdiengjri, Mawbah, Jhalupara, Dhankheti, Cleve Colony, Lumshyiap, Nongmensong, Laitumkhrah. The two localities where it was found to be safe are Mawblei and Demthring. The samples were collected as per the ‘Standard Operating Procedure’ laid down by the State Food Testing Laboratory of the Commissionerate of Food Safety on August 22.
All samples were brought to the State Food Testing Laboratory, Commissionerate of Food Safety, located at Pasteur Hills, Shillong, for quality testing and complete analysis.
The report revealed that out of the 46 samples, 44 showed the presence of coliform and E. coli (Escherichia coli) organisms with low pH value, high turbidity and iron content above the prescribed limit.
“This clearly indicates that the water collected from these 44 localities and tested is unsafe as per FSSAI standards. Hence, continuous consumption of such water can be detrimental to human health,” the FKJGP said in a memorandum which it had submitted to Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma on Tuesday.
The pressure group said the detection of low pH value in these water samples indicates that the water is acidic in nature. As per FSSAI standards, the normal pH value of drinking water ranges from 6.5 to 8.5, it said.
“Below 6.5, the water is said to be acidic in nature. As per research, when acidic water passes through water pipes, it can corrode and damage them. If the pH of water is extremely low, it can even start to dissolve the copper from the metal pipes. If copper enters our drinking water, it can lead to kidney and/or liver damage,” the FKJGP had said. Stating that the presence of high iron content leads to an overload which can cause diabetes, hemochromatosis, stomach problems, nausea and damage healthy skin cells which may result in early onset of wrinkles, the FKJGP said high iron content can damage liver, pancreas, as well as heart.
The organisation urged the government to address this public concern at the earliest and take necessary steps to rectify the issue to ensure safe and clean drinking water to the people.