Suo Motu vs Secretary to Government And Ors

The counsel for the parties are present. The matter was taken cognizance suo motu by the Tribunal on the strength of communication addressed by one, Ramachandra Srivastava of Nungambakkam, Chennai to the Judicial Member complaining of poor quality of government tap water which has given scope for mushrooming of a number of packaging drinking water units in and around the city of Chennai. The poor standard of water quality of the drinking water supplied through the public taps is making every one to switch over to the bottled water. Under such circumstances, necessary action was required.

On notice, the respondents 1 to 6 have entered appearance through counsel and have filed their respective reply.

The 3rd respondent Chennai Metro Water Supply and Sewage Board (CMWSSB) has filed reply stating that the statements made by the applicant are more generic in nature and are critical of the system of licensing. It is not correct to state that the quality of water supplied by the CMWSSB to the public in the Metropolitan City of Chennai is poor and the allegation is unfounded. As far as CMWSSB is concerned, the supply of water is being tested in a scientific way and thus the drinking water supplied to the public is safe. Every day sample tests of water are taken from different sources and meticulous care is taken to ensure safe and satisfactory sanitary quality. The 3rd respondent CMWSSB has got a separate unit namely Quality Assurance Wing with Experts in Quality Assurance for water which maintains the water quality. The Quality Assurance Wing daily takes samples from the City Distribution System, Water Distribution Stations, Water Treatment Plants and Small Head Works. 60 samples are collected per day for Physico Chemical and Bacteriological Analysis and analysis is carried out. The 3rd respondent CMWSSB takes more number of samples than what is prescribed by Central Public Health and Environmental Engineering Organization (CPHEEO) with the objective of having larger samples which would enhance the coverage of testing and ensure good potable quality of water. Apart from that, the residual chlorine test is carried on daily basis to ensure that the water is adequately disinfected. Apart from the above, effective tests for ensuring quality of water supply, the following steps are taken for prevention of our break of water borne diseases.

(i) Surveillance of water quality is intensified.

(ii) Wherever pollution is noticed, that locality is isolated from the piped water supply and water supply to be made through mobile tankers till the defects identified and rectified.

(iii) Every day, the details of ADD (Acute Diarrhoeal Diseases) is collected and an investigation is conducted by the Field Engineers.

(iv) Joint inspection is made with Local body officials.

(v) Sufficient chlorine tablets are distributed in the affected areas and also in slum pockets.

(vi) As a precautionary measure, OHTs, UGTs and Stationary HDPE Tanks installed at various streets are cleaned and disinfected immediately.

(vii) The water tankers hired by the Board are cleaned and disinfected.

(viii) Dosage of chlorine is increased in the Water Distribution Stations so that the sufficient R.C. level is maintained in the distribution system at the tail end.

(ix) Planned de-silting operation and flushing of sewer lines are carried out so that sewer blocks and sewerage overflows are minimized.

(x) Increase in sampling size for Bacteriological analysis and testing of R.C. from the City Distribution System.

(xi) Campaigning and making awareness about boiling water before drinking and to keep good sanitary environment is done.

It could also be seen from the reply, the Quality Assurance Wing of Metrowater is in co-ordination with the officers of Public Health Department of the Corporation of Chennai and the Operation Maintenance staff of the Board. During normal period, test for residual chlorine is conducted at 150 places daily at the consumer's end by the Quality Assurance Wing. Besides, water samples are collected for bacteriological and chemical analysis in 40 places on daily basis. In addition to the above, testing of residual chlorine is being carried out by the Depot Engineers totalling in more than 1600 places. During rainy season, when water borne diseases are likely to increase, co-ordinated surveillance of water quality is intensified by the Quality Assurance Wing and the sampling size of residual chlorine is increased to 200 per day. Likewise, the collection of samples for bacteriological examination is increased to 60 per day. More attention is given to monitoring water quality in Acute Diarrhoeal Diseases (ADD) affected locations and sanitary survey is conducted by the Field level Engineers. The chemical quality of water is monitored by conducting analysis of Colour, Odour, Turbidity, Total dissolved Solids, PH, Hardness, Alkalinity, Chlorides, Calcium, Magnesium, Sulphates, Ammoniacal Nitrogen, Albuminoid Nitrogen, Nitrous Nitrogen, Oxygen absorbed, Iron, Phosphate, Fluoride and Specific conductance. Though the water being distributed is properly treated and disinfected adequately, as a precautionary measure, public are periodically being advised to boil the water before drinking. Under the circumstances, the complaints made under the communication are totally unfounded.

After looking into the allegations and also that tests are being carried out regularly by the 3rd respondent CMWSSB, the Tribunal is satisfied that adequate preventive and precautionary measures are taken before supply of water to the public. However, it is made clear that the 3rd respondent CMWSSB shall continue to take all the necessary steps that have been taken in the past in future also and it is recorded.

Accordingly, the application is disposed of. No cost.