Kerala - Thiruvananthapuram   

Pesticides detected in water samples

Special Correspondent

Water taken from canal supplying drinking water to Venganoor

Thiruvananthapuram: The analysis of the water samples collected from the canal supplying drinking water to the Venganoor panchayat has shown the presence of two pesticides - Benzene hexa chloride (BHC) and Carbofuran, a toxic chemical.

The Government Analytical laboratory, which tested the water samples, has certified that the "water is unfit for drinking purposes." However, no toxic content was found in the samples taken from the tank. The report has been submitted to District Collector N. Ayyappan and the Kerala Water Authority (KWA).

Mr. Ayyappan said the contaminated water had not entered the distribution system because the KWA had shut down the pump house as soon as local people raised a hue and cry over the discolouration of water Friday last. He said it would take a more detailed investigation to identify the exact source of contamination and the possibility of sabotage. The police have been directed to probe the incident, Mr. Ayyappan added.

The Venniyoor rural water supply scheme services over 3,000 households in the Venganoor panchayat. The water from the canal is diverted to the filtration tank and redirected to a gallery for treatment and purification. The treated water is then pumped to an overhead reservoir at Nellivila for distribution through a network of pipes. Efforts are on to flush out the intake well to remove residual contaminant.

The local people blame the farmers in the upstream areas for the contamination. They feel indiscriminate use of pesticides is polluting the environment.

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