The Institute of Health Systems (IHS), Hyderabad has set up a water quality testing lab in the city. CK George, director of IHS said that the new testing lab would conduct basic potability test which will help in checking the presence of bacteria, fluoride levels and other indicators of contamination. The complete potability test will provide clues on the possible sources for contamination, whereas, bacteriological analysis will establish bacteriological and chemical characteristics of water from a source. And finally, groundwater quality test will examine physical and chemical parameters of groundwater.
The lab set up in the premises of the institute with an investment of Rs. 10 lakhs was inaugurated by the secretary, Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, JVR Prasada Rao on Tuesday. Speaking on the occasion, he revealed that a bill for inclusion of water in Prevention of Food and Adulteration Act is awaiting the approval of Parliament.
George mentioned that the lab will conduct basic potability test of water for Rs. 150 (quantity required- 500 ml), complete potability tests at Rs. 500 (1000 ml), bacteriological analysis at Rs.100 (100 ml), bottled water integrity test at Rs. 100, ground water bacteriological contamination test at Rs.200 (100 ml). The services can be used by residents, street vendors, shops, or other establishments.
The samples of water once collected should be given to the lab within six hours, and the samples should be kept away from sunlight and excessive heat. With the rise in incidence of gastroenteritis in Hyderabad, boiled water has been suggested for drinking. Care should be taken to store the water in hygienic manner, George added.
To facilitate good hygiene it is important that the water supply be abundant and clean. It is found that households that have ready access to generous water supply and clean water for drinking and cooking are affected by diarrhoea less frequently than families or individuals whose access to water is difficult or whose drinking water is heavily contaminated.
It is important to note that the Andhra Pradesh Public Health Act (APPHA), 1939, fixes responsibility on the local authority for water supply. Thus the municipal authorities and gram panchayats are legally required to provide for sufficient supply of drinking water for consumption by the inhabitants of the area within their jurisdiction. Under section 20, the District Collector has powers to conduct enquiries about sanitary condition of water supply system and adequacy of supply. Under section 21, the director of public health has power to direct a local authority to improve water supply. Under section 24, the health officer can give instructions to nay person having control of drinking water source to take appropriate action to maintain its hygiene.
The IHS is a civil society institution, established in 1990 and is registered under the Societies Registration Act. The objective of the institute is to promote and provide for study of health systems, health policy, health services management, health economics and medical sociology. The Institution has built up capacity in application of information technology to health care services. The objective here is to build up capacity in the specialized area of applications for health care systems and make it available to both public and NGOs for locally viable, cost-effective solutions, rather than expensive or inappropriate technology import. It also offers an advance public health study by the support of government funding. The institute aims to set up a public health laboratory which will also offer diagnostic services in near future, sources said.