Mohali: In a bid to strengthen monitoring of drinking water quality and support urban local bodies across Punjab, the MC is set to establish a state-level water quality testing laboratory at the Sector 79 Water Works.Sharing details with the MC House on Monday, mayor Amarjit Singh Sidhu said that the local govt department does not have its own water quality testing laboratory. Earlier, testing was carried out through laboratories of the water supply and sanitation department. However, with water quality issues currently under the scrutiny of the National Green Tribunal (NGT) and other courts, workload on these laboratories has increased significantly.The mayor said that to enhance testing capacity and strengthen the govt’s efforts to ensure safe and quality water supply to the public, funds have been earmarked under the AMRUT 2.0 scheme to set up dedicated water quality testing laboratories. Of the four such laboratories proposed under the local govt department, one is planned in Sector 79.He informed the House that the proposed laboratory would be able to conduct physical, chemical, bacteriological, waste water, and heavy metal parameter testing. Requirements of municipal corporations, municipal councils, nagar panchayats and urban local bodies have been taken into account in planning the facility. According to the proposal, around 5,000 square metre area will be required to establish the laboratory, which will function as a state-level facility. Work on its establishment will be carried out by the Punjab Water Supply and Sewerage Board (PWSSB). As PWSSB does not have land of its own for the purpose, approval of the MC House has been sought to establish the water quality testing laboratory on vacant land available at the Sector 79 Water Works.The proposal has been placed before the MC House for consideration through the MC commissioner, with the permission of the mayor. MSID:: 128118919 413 |
