Gandhinagar: Even as the cause for Narmada dam water in the upstream getting polluted remains a mystery, chief minister Vijay Rupani said on Tuesday that strict monitoring is being done to prevent any pollution.
The supply from the Narmada Dam was resumed after the Gujarat Water Supply and Sewage Board (GWSSB) declared that the water for safe for consumption. JP Gupta, principal secretary, water resources however claimed that the sulphide pollution of Narmada waters was not due to chemical dumping but caused by natural decay of living matter!
Rupani’s assurance comes following TOI’s report published on Tuesday revealing high sulphide levels in Narmada water and that the samples had failed bacteriological tests. GWSSB had stopped drinking water supply from canals in Narmada, Chhota Udepur and parts of Vadodara after high levels of sulphide contamination was found in water samples taken four days ago.
"Elevated levels of hydrogen sulphide were caused due to anaerobic decomposition of organic matter—a process that released hydrogen sulphide when dissolved oxygen levels go down. There is no evidence of any industrial chemical dumping," Gupta said.
Congress also latched on to the issue to hit out at the state government.
On Tuesday, GWSSB said that the fresh water samples taken from the dam and the canal did not show any signs of contamination.
However, water samples taken by four days ago painted a different picture. These samples are in the process of being tested at Gujarat Environment Management Institute (GEMI) laboratory in Gandhinagar. Highly placed sources in the water supply department claim that samples from Bodeli branch canal of the Narmada had pointed to “inorganic sulphide” indicating presence of industrial waste.
“If the investigation turns out true, then it is a matter of serious concern for us,” said a senior government official. Sources added that 15% samples sent to GEMI were not fit for tests. GEMI has written to GWSSB on mandatory procedures that need to be followed while collecting samples.
Gupta reiterated that the water is safe for consumption now and said, “We have put in place stringent quality monitoring of Narmada waters. Water samples, both prior to treatment and post treatment will be tested for any contamination. Today water supply to Ahmedabad and other cities have been taken and there was no issue. Flow of the water in canal is faster than even rivers. Therefore, large scale contamination is not possible.’’ Making sense of 2019 #ElectionswithtimesView Full Coverage