The Ernakulam district panchayat is planning to adopt a technology developed by the central research body, Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR), to ensure the purity of drinking water sources, especially in the eastern region. This move comes in the wake of reports that the region is facing acute water contamination.
The highlight of the ambitious project is the TERAFIL filter device which is likely to be set up at both surface and groundwater sources.
To make this a success, the Kerala Water Authority engineers are being roped in to cater to the need for clean drinking water.
“The idea was evolved after we conducted a one-day seminar along with the Communication and Capacity Development Unit of the state water resources department last month.
About 70 engineers were briefed on water purification technologies and were asked to collect water samples from their respective areas, for testing”, sources said.
With the tests hinting at the presence of harmful E-coli bacteria, the administration is now all geared up to test the TERAFIL water filter technology developed by the Institute of Minerals and Materials Technology, CSIR, Bhubaneswar.
“The low-cost device can filter sediments, suspended particles, iron and certain micro-organisms causing water-borne diseases.
If found successful, the technology will be used in all future drinking water projects, especially in the eastern regions like Kothamangalam”, they said.