Our Correspondent
Kohima | March 17
Dwelling on water quality problems in the state, Nagaland Public Health Engineering Department (PHED) Chief Engineer, Er Kevisekho Kruse has said that there is no major incidence of toxic and heavy metal contamination reported from hilly areas of the state.
Er. Kruse, however, said the state encountered bacteriological contamination problems including excess iron and nitrate problems in foothills of Dimapur, Kohima, Wokha and Mon districts.
Stating that water can be a major carrier of diseases germs and harmful chemicals, he said health of a community depends upon the status of drinking water supply and sanitation.
“We’ll be free from much of water borne diseases if our drinking water supply is safe,” Er. Kruse said and called for ensuring its safety before drinking it.
He said the PHED has indigenously developed a Mini Iron Removal Plant for treating a total of 10000 litre per day, sufficient for 250 persons @ 40 lpcd. The process involved includes aeration, filtration and storing up in clear water reservoir.
He maintained that this seems to be the best solution for Dimapur citizens dependent on shallow dug wells, commonly called ring wells where water is mostly unacceptable without treatment.
The treated water from this plant gives very crystal clear, free from iron, odour etc., he said adding that the cost of one unit comes to approximately Rs. 8.36 lakhs.
A large number of these have already been installed in Dimapur. Meanwhile Er Kruse said the PHED has strictly complied with the P&AR standing orders and not allowed appointment of any officer/staff beyond the sanctioned strength of 1640.
As per the Work-Charged & Casual Employees Commission directives, the department is continuously phasing out the work-charged employees as they retire/expire. Present number of WC employee is 1970 which is decreasing year by year.
Unlike some years back, payment of wages for work charged employees is not seriously delayed. They have been paid for up to November 2016 and proposal for release has been sent to finance department for period up to February 2017, he said.
