HYDERABAD: A surveillance system to check the quality of water in the twin cities and elsewhere is being overhauled to control and minimise spread of viral fevers in the monsoon season ahead.

A new online water quality monitoring system to keep a daily tab on water quality in regions falling under Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC) will be up and running by the end of July.

A water quality task force team under the Director of Institute of Preventive Medicine (IPM), P. Sucharitha Murthy, had recently issued directives to various departments in the twin cities for implementation so that water quality is maintained.

Format for reports

Daily, weekly and fortnightly checks of quality of water through online monitoring system, preparation of a common format for water quality reports, training programme to district health educators and maintenance of log books has been made mandatory.

"Now the surveillance would be on a daily basis. Within 24 hours the departments would have to act and solve the problem if any in a particular area," says Chief Water Analyst of IPM G. Chenna Keshavulu.

Compulsory chlorination of sumps, overhead tanks, monitoring of residual chlorine and maintaining log book in city schools, colleges, hotels, lodges, Government offices, bus terminus and railway stations have to be done on a weekly basis by the District Medical and Health Officers. The Central Laboratory of IPM would be linked with 15 of its centres in various parts of the State in the online monitoring system. Officials point out that this would help in the quick sharing of information and taking preventive measures.

"These directives are mandatory for all the District Health Officers. Online monitoring system would be implemented by July. During monsoons, chances of viral outbreaks are always high and in this background these steps would go a long way in maintaining the quality of water supply," he informed.

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