In Gadwal, there are 7 water treatment plants in Ieeja Municipality, but none of them have the necessary permissions from authorities. This violation of norms poses a serious health risk to residents who consume the low-quality water. Some are experiencing gastric problems, while others are facing knee or joint pains.
To address this issue, officials should take the following actions:
1. Inspection and Enforcement: Regular inspections should be conducted to ensure compliance with water purification standards. Plants not meeting the standards should be penalized or temporarily shut down until they comply.
2. Training for Plant Owners: Mandatory training sessions should be organized for plant owners to educate them on proper purification processes, chemical usage, and maintenance routines.
3. Chemical Usage Regulation: Monitor and regulate the correct amount of chemicals (1%-5% quality) used in water treatment to prevent health issues.
4. Filter Maintenance: Enforce monthly filter changes to prevent health problems caused by untreated water.
5. Water Quality Testing: Implement mandatory use of digital meters to measure water purity. Water failing the test should be re-purified.
6. Certification and Compliance: Ensure all plants obtain a BIS certificate and meet FSSAI tolerance levels.
By following these steps, water treatment plants can provide safe and clean water in Ieeja Municipality. The Municipal manager stated that no one has applied for permission regarding the plants, while plant owners claimed they were not asked for permission. Residents are urging authorities to take action promptly.