Toxin detectors by March 2011

Three foreign companies have responded to the tenders floated by the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) to install toxin analyzers in three reservoirs on a pilot project basis to check contamination. Sujit Mahamulkar reports.

Three foreign companies have responded to the tenders floated by the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) to install toxin analyzers in three reservoirs on a pilot project basis to check contamination.

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One of the firms is German, while two are Swedish.

The BMC will be the first civic body in India to install the analyzers. "Bids for the six analyzers are under scrutiny. Once cleared, the first three analyzers will be installed by March 2011," said a senior Water Department official on condition of anonymity as he is not authorized to speak to the media. "If we are satisfied with the analyzers' performance, we'll place orders for the other reservoirs."

The analyzers will be fitted at the Malabar Hill, Veravli and Trombay reservoirs.

The analyzers can detect foreign elements in the water. If they detect any that are toxic, they will sound an alarm and automatically switch off water supply.

Each machine costs around Rs 1 crore, and has a minimum life of 10 years.