BMC to expand water-testing lab

Alarmed by the water contamination levels in the city, the civic body has decided to expand its water-testing laboratory in Dadar.

Alarmed by the water contamination levels in the city, the civic body has decided to expand its water-testing laboratory in Dadar.

HT Image

The municipal commissioner, Subodh Kumar, has also planned a massive inspection of drinking water across the city.

The Hindustan Times on Monday reported that 26.64% of water samples in the city were found to be contaminated, as revealed by civic body's latest Environment Status Report, which was accessed by HT.

The water-testing laboratory at G-North, Dadar (West) ward office would be expanded to handle more water samples. Currently, the lab gives results in 48 hours. Kumar said once the lab is equipped to work faster, he increase the sample size to 2,000 a day.

Kumar said that he has also asked the civic staff to increase the number of samples collected daily and tested for contamination, so that corrective measures can be taken in those areas where contamination is found frequently.

"At the moment, we cannot say which underground water distribution line has a fault in it, which is causing contamination. However, if water samples from a particular area are repeatedly found to be contaminated, we can check the water-supply line of that particular area and get it fixed," said Kumar.

Kumar also said that they would be recruiting more staff exclusively for leak detection and to attend to contamination complaints.

The BMC has also undertaken measures like replacement of faulty and dilapidated distribution lines, and replacement of water mains with underground tunnels will also help reduce contamination levels in the long run.