The Hindu : Front Page : All that is new in water management

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Friday, Feb 27, 2009
ePaper | Mobile/PDA Version

Front Page

Front Page

All that is new in water management

Staff Reporter

— Photo: R.Shivaji Rao

Efficient usage: CLRI Technical Adviser S.Rajamani (centre) visits the stalls at the Water Expo 2009 that opened at the Chennai Trade Centre on Thursday.

CHENNAI: Over 100 international and domestic manufacturers of water purification systems and waste water treatment plants have put up their exhibits at the three-day ‘Water Expo 2009’ that got under way at the Chennai Trade Centre here on Thursday. The products cater to a range of purposes from industrial to domestic needs. Showcased at the event are the latest applications of technology that are available in the field of water management. “The water industry is shifting its focus towards non-conventional sources of water, which makes technology important,” Central Leather Research Institute (CLRI) Technical Adviser S.Rajamani, who inaugurated the exhibition, said.

On the supply side, private corporations were fast replacing government agencies, which made it necessary to lay greater stress on setting up rigid standards for quality assessment, he said. “Membrane technology is one of several technologies available with us to ensure quality water treatment,” he said.

He suggested that a decentralised system for sewage management and waste water treatment, for instance, could be the way forward for communities to meet water requirements for purposes other than drinking.

“At present, India’s waste water treatment methods leave much to be desired. Pollution of waterways due to release of effluents is a serious problem,” he said. An expansion of technologies for water management could resolve the situation, he added.

Affordable technology

A range of products from ultra-violet lamps to purify water to reverse osmosis plants that can be installed in kitchens have been displayed at the expo, being organised by Water Today, a journal on water and environment.

“Ozone water purifier tanks can be installed in schools, colleges and offices. These come for a price range of Rs.9,000 to Rs.50,000 depending on the needs of the consumer,” said S.Ravi Chondran, Director, Marketing and Service of Crossfields Water Purifiers Pvt. Ltd.

A representative of Misty Aqua Reverse Osmosis system said RO systems could be installed in the kitchen tap.

Advanced water purification systems for industrial use and laboratory requirements, water pumps, meter reading equipments, pipes and sludge treatment systems are exhibited.

Printer friendly page
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

Front Page