The Government of Punjab on February 11, 2021 has issued a press release for the comprehensive policy for routine water sampling and outbreaks of water borne diseases. Similarly, the Department of Water Supply & Sanitation is responsible for the supply of potable drinking water and routine sampling in rural areas.
However, the samples of drinking water in the case of an outbreak of water, Health Department shall be cross-checking for bacterial contamination and will collect some random samples of drinking water from areas from where an outbreak of waterborne diseases have been reported in the past. Health Minister stated that guidelines have been issued to all Civil Surgeons so that water samples collected by health department shall be sent to State Public Health Laboratory, Kharar for testing of drinking water. Considering the circumstances, the Local Govt. and Water Supply and Sanitation department should ensure that an alternate source of drinking water is made available in the area from where diseases have been reported. Chlorination of drinking water to be ensured for the disinfection of drinking water from where the outbreak of waterborne disease has been reported.
*The press release is available on the mentioned link. (http://diprpunjab.gov.in/?q=content/punjab-govt-issues-comprehensive-policy-routine-water-sampling-outbreaks-water-borne)
[Press Release No. I/143090/2021]
