Water samples not tested for heavy metals in Chennai

C Shivakumar
Chennai:

Water Resources Department identified presence of heavy metals such as
lead and iron beyond permissible limit in water as early as 2003 but
it does not have mechanism to study their presence in water samples
due to failure of functioning of Geo-Chemical lab.

Special parameters like heavy metals, pesticides, inorganic carbon,
organic carbon and total carbon which cause health hazard could not be
analysed in water samples from 2006, according to a report by
Comptroller and Auditor General of India.

When Express contacted WRD officials they said they are working out a
strategy in this regard. “The department has asked chief engineer of
Chennai Corporation to set up a labaoratory to analyse the presence of
heavy metals in the water samples,” the official said.

The lab was recommended by Central Pollution Control Board in May
2006. Interestingly, Water Resources Department under the DMK regime
did not take any initiative to obtain recognition for laboratory and
for appointment of Government analyst.

The report stated that Water Resources Department did not seek fresh
recognition since it could not comply with CPCB norms in respect of
staff pattern.

“Special parameters become all the more significant in view of the
fact that department themselves identified presence of heavy metals
such as lead and iron beyond permissible limit in water as early as
2003,” the report stated.

Currently, general parameters are only being tested, the report added.
It also stated that water quality data relating to special parameters
which cause health hazards for human beings were not captured for
surface water and ground water in Water Quality Data Entry System
database as these tests were not conducted.