Water quality a concern in Puri ahead of N'kalebar

Apprehension still haunts different quarters as to whether the administration would be able to provide safe drinking water to the estimated 30 lakh Rath Yatra visitors as majority of water samples collected from different sources were found to be contaminated.According to sources, a total of 679 water samples were tested in Puri by Monday, and reports have shown that 70 of them are totally unfit for drinking. Out of them, 37 water sources are contaminated. These contaminated water sources include 23 deep tube-wells, 10 bore-wells, a tube well and a tap.

The report revealed 32 of the water sources were moderately contaminated. However, these water sources can be made fit for drinking after treatment, according to Food Security Commissioner Babaji Charan Das.The tests have also found drinking water sold in pouches under the brand name of ‘Iceberg’ and ‘Aquafresh’ to be contaminated. Notices have already been served to companies manufacturing these products, official sources said.

While production of ‘Iceberg’ drinking water pouches has been stopped, steps are being taken to seal the production facilities of ‘Aquafresh’ brand within a day or two, the sources added. About 3,800 drinking water pouches have been seized now.Reports revealed that water in 25 big hotels is unfit for drinking. These hotels have been asked to purify their water sources. Water samples from these hotels would be tested again by the Directorate of Public Health soon.

According to Das, the administration is making alternative arrangements to provide safe drinking water to the people.