Fresh water contamination cases in Sabathu

Tribune News Service

Solan, September 29

With at least three fresh incidents of water contamination in both public and private water tanks coming to fore in the Subathu area today, the authorities were baffled, with little clue emerging about the miscreants.

As many as two water tanks of 500 litre capacity each and one of 1,000 litre capacity in Jadla village were found contaminated today. These tanks were meant for use of the tenants. Efforts had also been made to break open another tank in the house which was locked. 

A foamy substance was noticed in the tanks this morning by the family who informed the authorities concerned.

In yet another incident, a water tank placed at the patwar circle at Subathu was also found contaminated. This tank supplies water to a large chunk of the population residing in the cantonment area.

Efforts were also made to contaminate a hand pump in the area as the local residents detected some liquid strewn around it. As many as five such incidents have been reported since Monday.

Though water samples had been drawn both by the Irrigation and Public Health (IPH) Department as well as the police, lab reports about the nature of contaminant were yet to be received. 

The IPH officials had sent water samples drawn from the Kakkerhatti School on Monday to the Composite Testing Lab at Kandaghat. The lab officials had, however, expressed their inability to test it in the absence of requisite facilities. All eyes are now set on the lab report of Forensic Science Lab at Junga.

Anjum Ara, Superintendent of Police (SP), who visited various sites of water contamination, said these appear to be targeted after a thorough surveillance as their location was isolated and one such site was not even approachable by road. She said they were awaiting the lab reports while investigations were underway to nab the offenders.

She also convened a meeting of the officials of the IPH Department and police staff to take stock of the situation at Subathu today.

Executive Engineer of the IPH Department JS Chauhan said the field staff has been alerted and told to distribute water only after a thorough examination. The tanks, where contamination has been detected, were being thoroughly cleaned. People have been alerted to lock their tanks to avoid any untoward incident, he added.