Water may not be crystal clear, but absolutely safe for drinking

Bhilai, Apr 21: Today when the entire world is feared with the dreaded Coronavirus pandemic, the supply to slightly yellowish water trough taps at houses of Bhilai Township has added to the worries of the denizens. The residents who are habitual of getting crystal clear tap water have become anxious on receiving coloured water. Many of them have approached the concerned authorities with the complaints while others have started using other domestic methods of cleaning the water.
Considering the widespread concern of the Steel City denizens, the team of Central Chronicle visited the Water Treatment Plant of Maroda to assess the situation. Demonstrating the entire process of water treatment as well as testing including flocculation process, chemical dosing, and filtration through Rapid Gravity Sand Filters and Chlorination etc, UK Jha (Chief General Manager, Town Services Department) and VS Rai (Manager, Water Management Department) claimed that the water being supplied in the township was totally safe for drinking. When asked about the colour issue, they informed that ‘Turbidity’ is an optical characteristic of water and is the measure of relative clarity. According to the international norms, 5.0 JTU is the desirable limit of Water Turbidity in India. Water with 1.0 JTU is almost crystal clear and the Bhilai Township residents had been receiving the same quality of water for the last several decades. At present, the Turbidity level of water at BSP’s Water Treatment Plant is around 2.0 to 2.5 JTU which is within the permissible limit of international standards. They further informed that the minimum residual chlorine available at the farthest end of supply network is above 0.2 mg/l. Chlorine dissolved in water destroys most of the disease causing organisms without being a danger to people. Dissolved Chlorine is used up as organisms are destroyed. At the primary supply point, BSP’s WTP is maintaining higher level of Chlorine so that the desired level is maintained till the farthest point. The department regularly collects water samples from different areas of township for testing. Accordingly, 0.2 mg/l chlorine is being maintained in water making it free from disease causing organisms.
Explaining the cause of yellowish water, they informed that raw water received from Water Resources Department, Govt. of CG is stored in Maroda-II Reservoir of Bhilai Steel Plant. Recently, the water level in Maroda-II reservoir had gone down to a low of only nine days reserve. After sudden release of water from catchment reservoirs, the problem of color surfaced. To eliminate the problem, alum dosing rate was increased. But, effects commensurate with increased quantity of alum dosing have not been observed nor any suspended particles are found to be deposited. Since the conventional practice of adjusting alum dosage is proving to be inadequate in removing colour, the rate of alum dosing has been reduced. As per the test carried out at WTP, Maroda Lab of BSP, the water is safe, potable and as per relevant standard. BSP has also tested water sample at Government lab and found the same to be as per norms. The turbidity tested at four different places however yielded different results, which is within permissible limits.
BSP has also secured help of experts in water treatment, M/s NALCO Water India Ltd, who have suggested appropriate additives for removal of traces of colour from drinking water. Further action is being taken to address the colouring issue.