Himachal Jal Shakti Vibhag mulls UV radiation for treating water

Subhash Rajta

Shimla, April 9

Following Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu’s announcement that providing clean drinking water would be a priority of his government, the Jal Shakti Vibhag is considering using ultraviolet (UV) radiation for water treatment.

“The UV radiation/disinfection system will first be used in the drinking water supply schemes that are vulnerable to contamination. One covered, the system will be then considered for other schemes,” said Sanjeev Kaul, Engineer-in-Chief, Jal Shakti Vibhag.

Incidentally, the Jal Shakti Vibhag has already started installing the UV disinfection system in two drinking water supply schemes in Hamirpur and Sunni. It may be recalled that Hamirpur recorded around 1,000 cases of gastroenteritis due to contaminated water in February.

According to Jal Shakti Vibhag officials, the use of bleaching powder and chlorine for disinfecting water can cause health issues apart from altering its taste. “The high doses of bleaching powder/chlorine can be carcinogenic,” said Rajesh Kashyap, Superintending Engineer, Jal Shakti Vibhag.

“Unlike traditional disinfectants, the UV radiation does not form harmful disinfection byproducts and is not carcinogenic. Also, it leaves no residue and is environment-friendly,” he added.

Kashyap further said UV radiation was nearly 100 per cent effective in removing bacteria and viruses from water. The UV system, though, has one limitation — it disinfects water just at one point in the watering system and does not provide residual germicidal effect downstream. “For this reason, it’s best to install a UV system in distribution tanks,” he added.

Nevertheless, the use of chlorine would continue for treating water, though in reduced quantities. “The UV radiation will be used in combination with chlorination. As the UV system provides point disinfection, water can again pick up some infection in the distribution system before reaching the end consumer. To check this possibility, chlorination has to be continued, but the dose will be reduced significantly once the water is disinfected by the UV radiation,” Kashyap said.

A water scheme each in Shimla and Solan has the UV radiation systems.

ENVIRONMENT-FRIENDLY

Unlike traditional disinfectants, the UV radiation does not form harmful disinfection byproducts and is not carcinogenic. It leaves no residue and is environment-friendly. It will be used in combination with chlorine, with the dose being reduced significantly. — Rajesh Kashyap, SE, Jal Shakti Vibhag