Spurious mineral water plants thriving

Kamareddy: Under the pretext of selling mineral water, ordinary water is being sold in the district, including villages, establishing water plants which function under extreme unhygienic surroundings. The plants are accused of playing with the lives of the people.

There was no record of testing the water samples. As per rules, plastic cans that are used to supply water should be changed annually, but it is not being done. Rules also specify the use of only the ISI-marked machinery. But substandard machinery is also being used in the plants.

During this summer season, the operators of the drinking water plants are throwing norms to the winds to make a fast buck while the officials look the other way.

In Kamareddy district, there is one municipality, 22 mandals and 383 villages. In all, 58% of the population drinks the spurious mineral water. In fact, there are 60 ‘mineral water’ plants operating in Kamareddy, Yellareddy, Banswada and rural Kamareddy mandals.

Only two or three among these have license to carry out the business, it is alleged. The water cans showed signs of fungus formation since they are being used for years altogether without change. The surroundings of the ‘mineral water’ plants are unhygienic with flies and mosquitoes.

Municipal and public health officials should test the water samples every month to assess the extent of chemicals in the water. In the absence of regular inspection, people are encouraged to think whether the officials have been encouraging the filthy water business.

Even in villages, these plants operate from a dingy room. Most of these plants are functioning without taking a valid license.

If the officials promptly test the water samples and take action against those selling impure water, people will get pure water. They have been appealing to the officials that it was high-time the state government to take disciplinary action against the illegal mineral water plants.

When contacted, Municipal Commissioner of Kamareddy Vijayalakshmi said that the water plants would be inspected and disciplinary action would be taken against those running without licenses. Vijayalakshmi advised the plant owners to obtain licenses and stick to the rules.