Kathmandu. Kathmandu Metropolitan City (KMC) has intensified monitoring of treated drinking water jars.

In order to reduce the risk of water-borne diseases during the rainy season, the metropolitan city has intensified monitoring of treated drinking water. The Metropolitan Police Force has been tasked to recover and destroy 271 jars that are against the norms during the monitoring carried out in different areas during the last one week. Similarly, the METROPOLIS has seized and destroyed 456 jars from a total of 139 vehicles during the months of Ashadh and Shravan.

In addition, samples have been sent to the laboratory for physical and biological tests to ensure water quality. Chief of the Department of Agriculture and Livestock Nurnidhi Neupane said that after the beginning of the current fiscal year, the metropolis has been monitoring balkhu, Chabahil-Chuchepati, Machhapokhari-Balaju, Koteshwor and other places. In collaboration with the Department of Agriculture and Livestock and Metropolitan Police Force, check posts have been set up at various places to monitor the vehicles carrying drinking water.

“We have paid special attention to the quality of treated drinking water in view of the risk of water-borne diseases during the rainy season. Jars that are against the standards can have a serious impact on the health of the citizens. Therefore, we are working to confiscate and destroy such jars immediately and give strict instructions to the companies,” Neupane said. According to him, the Metropolitan Police Force has been tasked to destroy the jars.

The Department had checked the vehicles carrying water of eight different companies during the monitoring carried out at Balkhu area of Kathmandu Metropolitan City-14 on August 14. During the inspection, 59 jars were found crushed, broken and opaque, which was against the standards.

Similarly, 19 vehicles were monitored in Ward No. 7, Chabahil-Chuchepati area on August 14. During this period, 67 standards were recovered. These jars have also been handed over to the Metropolitan Police to destroy them. In addition, three 20-liter jars have been sent to the laboratory for physical and biological testing.

A total of 20 vehicles were monitored in Ward No. 16, Machhapokhari-Balaju area. During this monitoring, 68 jars were found to be against the standards, which were tasked to the Metropolitan Police Force to destroy.

A total of 15 vehicles were monitored in Ward No. 32, Koteshwor area on July 15. During this period, 77 violation jars were recovered, which were handed over to the Metropolitan Police for destruction.

Chief of the Department, Nurnidhi Neupane, said that the water producing companies have been instructed not to sell and distribute jars that are against the standards, to keep a clear label on the jar, to carry the bills issued by the company in vehicles and to be sensitive to the quality of water. He said that such monitoring will be continued to reduce the risk of water-borne diseases by being serious about the health of the citizens.

Similarly, food technologist Ashok Parajuli said, “It is very important to check the physical and biological quality of treated drinking water jars. We will ensure the purity and safety of the water by testing the samples sent to the laboratory. The health of our citizens is our first priority. ’

Parajuli said regular monitoring of water production, transportation and distribution system would be continued in the coming days as well. In addition, preparations are being made to conduct water sample testing and orientation programs at the community level. Especially in areas like Balkhu, Kalimati and Tankeshwar, cholera patients have been found in the past, so the metropolitan city has become sensitive to reduce such risks.

The metropolitan city has requested to drink the water kept in the jar only after boiling it well, especially during the rainy season.