Nellore Municipal Corporation plans packaged water supply

Nellore: Nellore Municipal Corporation (NMC) is planning to supply packaged water at low cost by setting up RO (Reverse Osmosis) plants at various places in the city for the convenience of the people.

The move is aimed to put an end to unauthorised and low standard packaged water supply from companies which do not have ISI certification. The civic body had earmarked Rs 20 cr for the project which is likely to be completed in next 3-4 months.

The Corporation would set up the units with CSR (Corporate Social Responsibility) funds of various companies. There are around 45,000 water connections and number is small when compared to the total number of households.

Water is supplied daily two hours – one hour in the morning and one hour in the evening. More than 80 million litres of water in 54 divisions is being supplied to the people through taps. Many places have been receiving contaminated or muddy water.

As many as 39 water tanks are supplying water from 14 wells in Penna River, Summer Storage Tank, Bujjamma Cheruvu, and other sources. But, pathetically, no testing facility on quality of water is available now. More than Rs 20 crore is spent on drinking water. Total length of water distribution network is above 450 km in city limits.

Now, more than 150 packaged drinking water companies have been engaged in water supply in and around city taking advantage of poor supply of drinking water. Very few companies are having ISI certification.

The Bureau of Indian Standards gives permission for packaged drinking water companies on their quality. Corporation authorities have prepared a plan to set up a huge Reverse Osmosis plant to supply for one lakh population and another mini R O plants at various places for supplying purified drinking water to the people. A senior official from the civic body has said they would utilise funds under CSR activity of the industries.

By PV Prasad