Shimla MC now supplying muddy water

Shimla, May 28 (UNI) After failing to provide regular drinking water supply to the residents of Shimla town during the last few months, the Shimla Municipal Corporation (SMC) is now supplying muddy water to the residents of the town.

All most all localities of the town were being provided muddy water for the last few days, forcing the residents of the town to drink this water, besides choking supply water pipe lines in few other localities.

The quality of water being supplied by the SMC did not improve even after boiling and filtering by electric purifiers, but the corporation authorities have declared the water fit for human consumption.

Though the authorities agreed that the mud content was high in the water supply, but added that the water could not be purified beyond a limit.

Municipal Engineer Mukesh Kumar Hira said the water was fit for drinking as the tests for chlorine and bacteriological tests were ok.

''We do not test turbidity of the water as it is the prerogative of the IPH,'' he added.

He, however, added that the MC authorities had already taken effective steps to provide clean drinking water to the residents of the town.

''The main water tanks have been cleaned and clean water will be supplied to the residents,'' he added.

Mr Hira said the main cause for the muddy water being supplied was heavy rains at the Giri River Drinking Water Scheme, which was the main water source for the town during the last four days.

The other water schemes Gumma and Ashwani Khud were shut down due to heavy silt, he added.

Interestingly, in view of the President's visit to the state, the Corporation had stepped up water testing measures in the town.

As per official reports of the Municipal Corporation, chlorine content in tap water at Kalyani helipad, where the President landed, was one particle per million (ppm), 0.4 ppm in the kitchen of The Retreat and premises and three at Sanjauli Chowk, which was the confluence of water supply from all sources that cater to the town.

There were no reports, however, about water samples tests within the main town.

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