PIONEER EDGE NEWS SERVICE/Dehradun
Uttarakhand Jal Sansthan (UJS) has issued a supply order for mobile water quality testing labs, under which two vans will be procured. Informing about this, UJS secretary (Appraisal) Maneesh Semwal said that the proposal for water quality mobile testing labs was floated a few months ago. Authorities concerned have recently approved the initiative.
He said that about Rs 95 lakh will be spent on the purchase of mobile water quality testing labs along with equipment. It is expected that within 45 days the vans will be received and the functioning of mobile testing labs will commence, he said.
Semwal informed that across Uttarakhand there are a total of 27 water quality labs. Each day, officials test water quality from various sources including water sources, residences and others. Laboratories assess factors such as water hardness and other parameters, and if any deficiencies in quality of water from a specific source are detected, officials concerned investigate the cause and take appropriate action.
According to him, the laboratories conduct more than one lakh water quality tests each year. He said that laboratories are established in specific locations. So, to enhance water quality testing services and facilitate immediate testing during natural disasters, random checks at places including remote areas, major events such as national or international sports competitions, visits from Prime Minister and similar occasions, UJS has introduced this initiative of mobile water testing labs, he said.
He further informed that under this initiative, two vans will be acquired, one for the Kumaon region and another for the Garhwal region, to provide prompt water testing in these circumstances. Semwal also informed that they already have officials for deploying in the mobile water testing labs.
