PMC to Install Chlorinators in Wells to Ensure Safe Drinking Water in Sinhagad Road Area
In response to rising concerns about contaminated water and a surge in Guillain-Barré Syndrome (GBS) cases, Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) is taking significant steps to improve water safety in the Sinhagad Road area. Chlorinators will be installed in local wells to automate the chlorine mixing process and ensure safe drinking water for residents. Key Highlights: Chlorinators will be installed in five or six wells in Barangani Mala and Nanded Gaon areas, with plans to extend the installation to surrounding localities. At present, chlorine is manually mixed in well water, but the new chlorinators will automate this process for more consistent and reliable water sanitation. The installation comes after the surge in GBS cases, with contaminated water suspected as the main cause of the outbreak. Wells on Sinhagad Road receive raw water from Khadakwasla dam, which is supplied to various localities without the benefit of dedicated water treatment plants, prompting PMC to implement chlorination at the wells. Response to Health Concerns: The move to install chlorinators follows the alarming rise in GBS cases, with at least 80 reported in the Sinhagad Road area. The PMC health department suspects that contaminated water has played a significant role in the outbreak. The installation of chlorinators is seen as a crucial measure to address this issue.
- Chlorine will be mixed in adequate quantities to ensure that the water is sanitised before it enters the distribution network.
- Repairs to water supply and drainage lines near the wells have also been carried out to improve water quality and prevent further contamination.
Local Demand for a Water Purification Plant: While the installation of chlorinators is a step forward, local residents growing demand for reliable, clean water sources at affordable rates.
- Residents have expressed frustration with private water tankers that charge high prices, forcing them to rely on these services.
- Jitendra Hagawane, a local resident, emphasised the need for clean water at a reasonable rate to alleviate the financial burden on households.
Important Information:
- Chlorinators will be installed in five or six wells in Barangani Mala and Nanded Gaon, with plans to extend this to other localities.
- The chlorination process will be automated to ensure consistent and adequate chlorine levels in the water.
- The initiative follows the surge in GBS cases, with contaminated water suspected as the primary cause.
- Wells in the area currently receive raw water from Khadakwasla dam, and chlorination is being implemented as a temporary measure due to the lack of dedicated water treatment plants.
- Local residents are calling for the establishment of a water purification plant to meet the growing demand for clean water.
The installation of chlorinators in wells is a crucial step by PMC to address the immediate concerns of contaminated water and health risks in the Sinhagad Road area. While this measure is expected to improve water safety in the short term, the demand for a permanent water purification solution remains high. With the area’s population continuing to rise, the establishment of a dedicated water treatment plant would provide a long-term solution for the residents’ needs.
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