Guntur intensifies chlorination of drinking water to prevent contamination after floods

The Rural Water Supply (RWS) Department has launched an extensive chlorination and super-chlorination drive across drinking water schemes in Guntur district to prevent contamination following floods triggered by Cyclone Murasu.

Acting on the advance instructions of District Collector C.M. Saikanth Varma, the department initiated the measures on Wednesday immediately after the cyclone's intensity subsided. Drinking water schemes in Nimmagadda Varipalem, Kantheru, Visadala, Mandapadu, Bheemuni Varipalem, Sowpadu, Narakoduru and Perecherla, among other villages, were covered under the programme.

RWS Superintending Engineer K. Kalyana Chakravarthy is supervising the operations. Officials and field staff are thoroughly inspecting each water supply scheme to identify potential contamination and ensure the safety of drinking water.

Mr. Chakravarthy said the Collector had directed officials to take precautionary measures well before the cyclone. Accordingly, all water supply schemes were filled to their full capacity in advance, and additional precautions were being taken to prevent contamination in the aftermath of the floods.

The department is taking all necessary steps to ensure the supply of safe drinking water to rural residents. However, considering the prevailing conditions, people have been advised to boil drinking water thoroughly and allow it to cool before consumption as a precaution against waterborne diseases.