BBMP, BWSSB join to prevent water contamination | BBMP | | Indian Express

BBMP, BWSSB join to prevent water contamination | BBMP | | Indian Express
BBMP, BWSSB join to prevent water contamination

N R Madhusudhan First Published : 11 Mar 2010 05:39:00 AM ISTLast Updated : 11 Mar 2010 08:36:37 AM IST
BANGALORE: Come summer, and water borne diseases like malaria, dengue, cholera and gastroenteritis strike with a renewed vigour — mainly because of contamination of drinking water by drainage in the supply lines.
This time, however, Bangalore Water Supply and Sewerage Board (BWSSB) is co-coordinating with Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) to prevent water contamination.
The Assistant Executive Engineers (AEE) and Executive Engineers, who are incharge of all the 26 divisions of BWSSB are in touch with health inspectors to find out which areas in the city are witnessing a spurt in the cases of water borne diseases.
BWSSB officials say there is a possibility of the drainage water entering pipelines near the drains through cracks. The BBMP has been asked to ensure that water from the drains does not stagnate near drinking-water pipelines.
The water is treated at the source before it is pumped to the city. However, during summers the chances of contamination are greater as the cholorine level in water dips fast during summer due to evaporation.
To maintain optimum chlorine levels, BWSSB increases the amount of chlorine in the water during summer. The frequency of water testing has also been increased, say BWSSB officials.
A BWSSB official said, “We are doing whatever is possible to prevent water contamination this summer. Often people contract a water borne disease by drinking water and juices at roadside shops. One should not drink water that is stored for more than two days as there are possibilities of bacteria and viruses growing in such water.”
madhusudhan@expressbuzz.com