KOCHI: The Ernakulam District Residents Association Apex Council (EDRAAC) is pitching in their contribution for the drive against spread of contagious diseases like jaundice.

The apex council has distributed circulars among all its 254 member-associations to spread awareness among residents on the need to maintain safe and healthy environment. "Each association has been given one circular, which in turn is expected to spread the word among its members by distributing copies of the circular or convening meetings," said P.K. Gopalakrishnan, general secretary of the EDRAAC.

The 10-point circular includes messages on sanitation and health, like using boiled water, keeping away flies and mosquitoes, cleaning utensils using chlorine pills and providing treatment to jaundice patients.

The apex council is also planning to take up an intensive drive, in association with the Kerala Water Authority and Kochi Corporation, to repair damaged pipes used for distributing water.

"The infections, on many occasions, are caused by water being contaminated through these breaks in the pipes," said Mr. Gopalakrishnan.

Another phase in the drive by the EDRAAC is to ensure that septic tanks in the city are not emptied directly to the canals.

"We are urging the residents to install soak pits to neutralise spillage from septic tanks," he said.

Garbage drive

The apex council has already moved on to the next phase in decentralised processing of garbage. "Nothing much has happened after the workshop conducted by the Corporation. The next step should have been holding conventions at division-levels," said Mr. Gopalakrishnan.

Member-associations of the EDRAAC have been asked to identify vacant spots in their locality where decentralised garbage treatment units could be installed. "We have been told that the Corporation has started mobilising funds needed for the project," he said.

The apex council is also planning to convene meetings in divisions that are missed out during the second phase of the Corporation's drive.

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