Food safety officials test potable water

KOCHI: It seems that the food safety officials have woken up from a deep slumber. The food safety officials conducted an inspection on tanker lorries carrying drinking water in the city on Monday. A team of officials headed by food safety designated officer K Ajith Kumar conducted inspection on eight tankers at Thiruvankulam which were proceeding to various parts of Kochi with water.The officials acted on reports that appeared in media regarding poor standards of potable water and that of tankers carrying it. “We have collected samples from the tankers as well as from the sources. The samples will be sent for bacteriological  and chemical test to check the standards,” said Ajith Kumar. Potable water for the city comes from sources in the eastern region of the district like Puthencruz and Muvattupuzha.There have been allegations from various corners that drinking water distributed by private parties through water tankers was not up to the standards and also, that tankers used to transport septic waste were being used for carrying potable water.As per the norm, a tanker used to transport drinking water should be painted blue. “It has come to our notice that some distributors have violated this norm. Since it is the first time, they have been issued warning to strictly adhere with the norms,” added Ajith Kumar. He also said a special team has been constituted  to  prevent distribution of contaminated water. “The team which comprises health, food safety and police personnel will conduct inspection at frequent intervals at various parts of the city,”  he said.