Chennai: State Chief Secretary Shiv Das Meena has instructed all District Collectors to urgently take proactive measures to intensify surveillance and monitoring of the quality of drinking water supplied to people in view of the recent incident of water contamination that led to the death of some people and hospitalisation of many others.
In his letter to Collectors on Saturday, he urged them to take measures like identification and repair of damaged and leaky pipelines, protection of overhead tanks and reservoirs, addressing pollution sources, regular cleaning and disinfection and chlorination to prevent contamination of drinking water.
‘It is noteworthy that just last year, the Government of India recognized Tamil Nadu as the best-performing state among those with up to 60% Functional Household Tap Connections (FHTC) coverage under the Jal Jeevan Mission,’ he said, adding that the recent news of people suffering due to water contamination and pollution was deeply concerning and called for immediate action.
The comprehensive exercise that included enhanced quality surveillance, utilizing field test kits by empowering women Self-Help Group (SHG) members, collaborating with TWAD Board and Rural Development Department, launching a Information, Education, and Communication (IEC) campaign and a grievances redressal system should be completed by end of September, he said.
A detailed report should then be submitted to the Principal Secretary (Municipal Administration and Water Supply) and Principal Secretary (Rural Development and Panchayat Raj), the Chief Secretary added.
