Ensure adequate safe drinking water supply in rural areas during COVID-19 lockdown: Centre to states

NEW DELHI: The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare has issued an advisory to states to ensure adequate supply of potable water during coronavirus lockdown, particularly in rural areas where medical sanitisers may not be available, stating that frequent washing of hands with frothing soaps is recognised as the most-effective measure to control the spread of coronavirus.

It highlighted the need to augment supply in water-deficient areas and give special care to vulnerable sections such as people in relief camps, places of quarantine, hospitals, old-age homes and slums.

It asked states to assess the availability of water-purifying chemicals. "The purifying chemicals are among the essential commodities and therefore it may be ensured that these are part of the running supply chain.”

It also advised states to ensure round-the-clock vigil and functionality of water supply systems and provide protective equipment like masks and sanitisers to officials managing the operation of the systems. 

"It is possible that demand during this period may go up and if people have to fetch water from the public stand post, supply hours may be required to be increased to ensure social distancing," the advisory stressed.

The Union Health Ministry also told states to make use of tele-medicine and triaging to avoid crowding of hospitals. It said non-COVID-19 services, including health promotion and community-based screening for chronic conditions, could be deferred until the lockdown is lifted.

States should develop a phased engagement with the not-for-profit and private sector for use of their infrastructure if there is a shortfall in government health facilities, it said.

Here’s the Advisory for ensuring safe drinking water during lock down and effective management of pandemic caused by coronavirus

COVID-19 has taken pandemic proportions in many countries and in view of the seriousness of the matter, Govt of India and State Governments have taken several pre-emptive measures to contain this disease in the country. Frequent washing of hands with frothing soaps is recognized as most efficient and effective measure in the listed
preventive measures for controlling the spread of the virus.

Thus, there is an urgent need to ensure that safe potable water is available to all citizens particularly in the rural areas where facility of medical sanitizers may not be available.

Public Health Engineering Departments/ Boards/ Nigams of the State Governments need to accord top priority for taking measures to augment supply in areas where water
supply may be deficient as of now and special care may be given to vulnerable sections of the society like people residing in relief camps, places of quarantine, hospitals, old
age homes, poor strata of society, slums, etc. It will be appropriate to integrate the identified needs of potable water in the micro-plans of the districts being formulated to
combat the spread of COVID-19 disease.

Further, wherever chemical treatment for enhancing the safety of potable water is required, appropriate purifying chemicals like Chlorine tablets, bleaching powder,
Sodium hypochlorite solution, Alum, etc. as may be needed, should be used. State Governments may assess the requirements of water purifying chemicals and availability
of the same. 

In case the supply of the same is deficient, to meet the immediate requirement, then suitable intervention for their procurement from elsewhere sources may be resorted to. The purifying chemicals are among the essential commodities and therefore it may be ensured that these are part of the running supply chain.

In addition, sufficient field test kits may be made available to the villagers trained in their use and they may be advised to do periodic testing of water supplied and alert all
concerned in the event of any contamination.

Arrangements for round the clock vigil may be made to ensure functionality of water supply systems from source to delivery points. Personal safety measures like masks, sanitisers, etc. may be provided to the officials of PHED, particularly who are managing the operation and maintenance of the water supply systems in the field. Alternate arrangement should be in place to replace the staff managing water supply, in case they get infected.

It is possible that demand during this period may go up and if people have to fetch water from the public stand post, supply hours may be required to be increased to ensure
social distancing.

Further, existing grievance redressal mechanism may be strengthened so that any interruption in water supply can be immediately brought to the notice of all the concerned
and timely action can be ensured to reinstate the supply.

The principles of social distancing and relevant instructions issued by the Ministry of Home affairs, GoI to combat the COVID -19 pandemic may be complied with, by
following the prescribed protocols.’’