Report On Jal Manthan
Report On Jal Manthan
Report On Jal Manthan
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State Level Consultation on developing a roadmap for dealing with microbial
contamination in drinking water for better health
Date: 30.05.2024
Time: 11 AM
Attendees:
Objectives:
1. Develop a roadmap for implementing safely managed water at the community level, with a
focus on reducing Acute Diarrheal Diseases.
3. Promote integration, convergence and collaboration between Health, PHED, P&RD, other
departments, CSOs and concerned agencies towards creating safe water communities.
Inaugural Session
This session began by lighting of lamps by all the department heads and presenting them with
plants as a memento by Samarthan Team.
Opening Remark
By Mrs. Ashalata Gupta, State Nodal, Water Quality Jal Jeevan Mission
Mrs. Ashalata Gupta began by explaining the critical role of the Public Health Engineering (PHE)
Department, which primarily focuses on providing drinking water. In Chhattisgarh, approximately 90
percent of the water supply in rural areas relies on groundwater, whereas urban areas predominantly
depend on treated surface water from rivers processed in Water Treatment Plants (WTPs). She noted
that Chhattisgarh is fortunate to have sufficient water resources in most areas, ensuring an adequate
supply. Both raw and treated water quality are meticulously monitored at each WTP.
Mrs. Gupta highlighted the Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM), launched in 2019 with the ambitious goal of
providing every rural household with piped water of adequate quantity and prescribed quality by 2024.
A key focus of JJM is maintaining high standards of drinking water quality. In Chhattisgarh, 28 district-
level laboratories are NABL accredited for testing more than 13 chemical parameters. Additionally, 44
labs are in the process of obtaining NABL accreditation, and there are about 27 water testing
laboratories at the sub-divisional level.
She also mentioned the proactive approach of training five women in each of Chhattisgarh’s 19,622
villages to test their water sources using Field Test Kits. Another significant aspect of JJM is the Water
Quality Management Information System (WQMIS), an online database that provides public access to
water testing information at the village level. Prior to JJM, water testing was conducted in regional
laboratories, with records maintained regionally. Now, anyone can access detailed water testing data at
the village level.
Addressing waterborne diseases, Mrs. Gupta emphasized that sanitation and toilets play a crucial role in
preventing these illnesses. She pointed out that in tribal areas, sanitation remains a challenge, and
simply constructing toilets is not enough. Effective hygiene practices are equally important.
She also raised the issue that, despite the installation of water taps in households, many villagers
continue to use traditional sources like handpumps and shallow wells for drinking water. This adherence
to traditional practices highlights the need for further education and adaptation to new water supply
systems.
Keynote Address:
By Dr. Arvind Neral, Professor and Dean Pt. JNMC Raipur
Dr. Arvind Neral opened the gathering on a positive note, highlighting the potential for great outcomes
when esteemed individuals from various departments come together. He acknowledged the significant
improvements in healthcare and related facilities over the past few years. As evidence, he pointed out
that today, students in laboratories struggle to find infected stool samples to demonstrate the presence
of bacteria and viruses— a stark contrast to the past when such samples were readily available.
While praising these advancements, Dr. Neral emphasized that much work remains to be done. He
stressed the importance of continued collaboration among professionals from diverse backgrounds in
health and sanitation. By uniting and discussing these critical issues, they can achieve a common goal of
further enhancing healthcare and sanitation standards.
Technical Session -01
Understanding Current Practices of Water Quality monitoring, Information Sharing and
Communication.
1. Existing Process of Sample Collection, testing and report generation by PHED on overall water
quality and specific to microbial contamination
By Mr. Parimal Dutta, Chief Chemist, State Laboratory and Research Centre PHED
Mr. Dutta highlighted the critical health impacts of consuming contaminated water. He noted that while
the health effects of chemically contaminated water might not be immediately apparent, drinking
biologically contaminated water can have immediate and potentially fatal consequences. Therefore,
testing for biological contamination is equally important.
Biological contamination can occur at any stage, from conveyance from Water Treatment Plants (WTPs)
to overhead tanks, and from overhead tanks to households. To mitigate this risk, water is disinfected
through chlorination. A small amount of residual chlorine is intentionally left in the treated water to
ensure that any potential contaminants encountered during conveyance are neutralized.
He further explained the process of sample collection, sample transportation and testing of biological
parameters in water testing laboratories. Currently water testing is done for two parameters which are E
coli and total coliforms in water testing laboratories. The presence of coliforms is an indicator that fecal
contamination of water has occurred. While, the presence of Ecoli in water samples confirms the
presence of fecal contamination and pathogenic bacteria in treated water. While testing of
bacteriological parameters is done in state and district laboratories, NABL accreditation for
bacteriological parameters is yet to be done and this year PHE is trying to gain NABL accreditation for
both state and district laboratories in Raipur district.
Currently all the public water sources are being monitored for their water quality once in a year for
chemical contamination and twice a year for bacteriological contamination (Pre-monsoon and Post
monsoon). Sample collection for public water sources is done by PHE department and sample collectors
are properly trained on the process of sample collection. Sample collection is done in borosilicate glass
bottles or HDPE bottles for bacteriological contamination.
For testing the water quality of private water sources, PHE charges a minimum fee. Anybody can get
their water tested in the district or block level laboratories by submitting their samples.
2. Walk through the WQMIS Portal, and how the information can be accessed by other departments
at state, district and block levels.
In Jal Jeevan Mission, for villages there is a provision for online registration of users along with their
mobile number who want to get their water tested and after registration in WQMIS, which is an online
database of information developed under Jal Jeevan mission on testing of water both in laboratories and
in field, they have to physically submit their samples in the laboratories. After testing, results must be
directly sent to the users through SMS on their registered mobile numbers but this feature is not
working and even though the information is uploaded in WQMIS, automatic text message is not being
sent to the concerned persons. In case a contamination is detected, the Sarpanch or concerned person
in the village is immediately informed through call for instructing the people to stop drinking water from
the affected source.
In village level, water testing is done using FTK (H2S Vials) and in each village, a Pani samiti and Village
Water Sanitation Committee is constituted whose main work is to ensure that water quality testing and
monitoring is done properly especially before and after monsoon and in case of contamination reported,
informing the PHE department for further actions. A group of 5 women (Jal Bahini) are trained in each
village for testing of water using FTK, they are also trained to upload their test results on the WQMIS
portal from their mobile phones. Also WQMIS is a platform which is open for anyone who wants to gain
information about the status of water quality testing at state, district, and block or village level.
Issues Raised:
1. In case of private testing of water, people have to come to the laboratories for submitting their
samples. Since sample collection is a very important step in testing of water, there is a high risk that the
sample collector is not following proper procedures for sample collection. This can affect the test
results.
2. For disinfection of treated water, chlorination adopted as the method of disinfection. Drinking
chlorinated water can have long term health impacts.
3. In water testing laboratories, only bacteriological Parameters are tested but when we talk of
microbiological contamination, there are other pathogens also such as virus, protozoa, parasites etc
which can cause water borne diseases such as Hepatitis A and Hepatitis E virus.
4. RMC is not using alum dosing for the treatment of sewage water in sewage treatment plants and is
releasing the water directly in the river after disinfection. Alum dosing is responsible for the formation of
flocs which settle down in settling tanks. In these flocs about 80-90 percent bacteria are attached which
also settle down along with the flocs and the released water after disinfection contains very little
bacteria. But alum dosing is not being done in STP.
5. The information loop which is required to be completed in WQMIS i.e. sample submitter must be
informed immediately of the test results by way of email or SMS on registered mobile numbers is not
completed and this is a major loophole in the water quality monitoring system (WQMS). Especially if
bacteriological contamination is detected, there is possibility of diarrhea outbreak if people continue
drinking water from the affected source.
3. Status of Waterborne diseases and Hotspot Areas
Dr. Chaynika Nag presented on the Integrated Disease Surveillance Program (IDSP) which has been
launched with the objective of Strengthening of Disease Surveillance System for epidemic prone
diseases to detect and respond to outbreaks. The organizational structure of IDSP consists of Central
Surveillance Unit (CSU), State Surveillance Unit (SSU) and District Surveillance Unit (DSU).
She further talked about Integrated Health Information Platform (IHIP) which enables real time
reporting of diseases by all healthcare facilities through a mobile application and is accessible at all
levels from village level to central level. It has GIS enabled graphical representation of data in an
integrated dashboard. Through this app, geo-tagging of reporting health facilities is also done. Through
this app more than 33 health conditions are being monitored.
She further explained on the flow of information and that at district level all the PHC, CHC and District
hospitals, medical colleges, Pathology Labs, Private practitioners, nursing homes, private labs, corporate
hospitals report to the District Surveillance Unit (DSU) which reports to State Surveillance unit (SSU) and
SSU reports to the Central Surveillance Unit (CSU).
She then talked about daily reporting under IHIP wherein three types of forms are filled. Form S is filled
by health care workers at Sub-centers for suspected cases, Form P is filled by doctors for probable cases
while form L is filled by Laboratories for confirmed cases. Based on this daily reporting a weekly report is
generated and outbreak alert is also generated in cases of outbreak.
Investigation of an outbreak is also done by a Rapid Response Team (RRT) when an event alert is
converted to an outbreak by the District Surveillance officer (DSO). All the information obtained from
outbreak investigation by RRT including the line listing of cases is captured in the application. After
information from the RRT or based on data provided by the Healthcare facility, DSO closes the outbreak
investigation. An outbreak summary report is then generated in PDF format.
Dr. Nag also provided information on past disease outbreaks in Chhattisgarh. In the past two years
maximum disease outbreaks reported are of Acute Diarrheal Diseases (ADD). In 2023 about 59 cases of
ADD outbreaks and in 2024 about 20 cases of ADD outbreaks have been reported so far.
Maximum number cases of diarrhea have been reported from Raipur district and Dantewada District in
2023 and 2024 while maximum number of Jaundice cases was reported from Baloda Bazar and Raipur in
2023 and 2024. Information about hotspot areas where outbreak of waterborne diseases has previously
occurred was also provided. Maximum number of waterborne outbreak areas is in Durg District. In
Raipur Sankalp Society phase 2 was highlighted due to the frequent outbreaks that have occurred in the
past.
Testing of water for health department is done at Hamar Labs, district public health laboratories (DPHL)
or in medical colleges.
Lastly she talked about the expectation of health department from different departments such as PHE
department, Urban administration department and Panchayati Raj Institutions for taking necessary
actions so that any outbreak can be prevented.
Issues Raised:
1. IHIP Platform is only open for healthcare facility workers and not for general public.
2. There are many government apps already working but there is no awareness created regarding these
apps.
4. In Raipur, Hepatitis E cases are frequently reported even though Hepatitis A is more common.
Mr. Anshul talked on the information loop which must be created in the water testing process so that
after reports are prepared in labs and in cases where contamination is detected, an SMS be sent to
Gram Panchayat or Village representative so that necessary remedial action can be taken immediately.
For this an application is currently under development in Chhattisgarh, and a DPR has been prepared
after which alert message will be directly sent to the Gram Panchayat or Village representative.
Group B: Content/ Messages for the community on microbial contamination
Mrs. Biraja highlighted that along with water quality monitoring, a sanitary survey of water sources is
also very necessary. And apart from contamination of water sources, another key aspect of concern is
contamination of water at the point of use. For this behavioral practices and personal hygiene must be
also addressed and awareness regarding this should be created.
Dr. Neha Singh emphasized that in the process of water testing there are various sources from where
water can get contaminated from the point of sample collection to the place of testing. For
strengthening our water testing infrastructure can be done using schools, college and private
laboratories and providing them with incentives. She also stressed on the use of rapid diagnostic test
kits which are very effective in detecting about 5-6 Indicator organisms at one time.
Group D: Convergence Action at the District and Community level with clear cut roles and
responsibilities
Mr. Manish emphasized on interdepartmental convergence that in case any event of outbreak occurs, or
a contamination of water source is detected, an alert is sent to each department, so that they can take
necessary actions on their specific roles and responsibilities. Also information must be disseminated at
each level from district level to village level and all the committees be made aware of their specific roles
and responsibilities.
Open House:
In this discussion representatives from all the departments were asked to put forth their suggestions.
1. Representative from Swachha Bharat Mission put forth a problem that, after the construction of
handpumps there is a problem of water accumulation near the handpumps and this increases the risk of
water borne diseases. For this purpose, they are constructing Sokhta Gadhha near the handpumps so
that grey water from these handpump sources is drained and there is no accumulation. But Dr. Nirmal
Verma pointed out that Sokhta Gaddha must be constructed at a distance of at least 15 m from the
water source and only in that case, the water source can be considered safe.
2. Mitanin Coordinator suggested that in case of an outbreak, Mitanins must be also used for creating
awareness at the community level for adopting safe and hygienic behavioral practices.
3. Representative from Nagar Nigam Raipur pointed that along with the departments, people must be
also made aware of their actions and the long term impacts such as shortage of water. Especially
groundwater recharge practices must be encouraged at each household level and proper management
of solid waste must be done to prevent any disease outbreak.
1. The first issue which arose during discussion was that there is a high risk of contamination of water
during the process of sample collection or during transportation to the labs in case of private testing. For
this laboratories must devise a plan of door to door sample collection. Anybody who wants to get their
water samples tested can call or register online and a person will be sent to their home for the collection
of sample. For this a minimum fees to be charged by the laboratories.
2. Another issue raised was the use of chlorination as a method of disinfection. The scope of UV
disinfection of water was discussed as it is a very effective way of disinfection and decreases the risk of
long term health effects due to chlorination. But in India, since the sewer lines run very close to
pipelines and there is a chance that water can get contaminated during conveyance so chlorination is
the only method suitable for India.
3. Water testing laboratories currently only test for bacteriological parameters but there are many
waterborne diseases which spread through viruses, protozoa, parasites and other microbes. So the
capacity of water testing laboratories must be increased so that Virus and other organisms can also be
detected.
4. WQMIS portal must be improved and the information loop must be completed so that each and every
person who might get ill due to consumption of contaminated water is alerted in case a contamination is
detected. For this, an automated SMS, email must be sent to one person from each households. If
anyone gets test their household water samples tested, the test results must be communicated to the
person by way of SMS or email.
5. On the issue of creating awareness, social media platforms and influencers must be utilized for
creating short videos on hygiene and behavioral practices to prevent an outbreak. Also short videos on
government apps available and open for the public use be made and promoted by social media
influencers in local languages such as Chhattisgarhi who will receive incentives for promoting these
videos.
6. On the issue of IHIP application not open to public for reporting, there is currently a public dashboard
which is in development after which any person can access the weekly reports or bulletins for obtaining
information on disease outbreak. Also an outbreak is declared for any area on the basis of its
population.
7. For preventing Hepatitis A and Hepatitis E street food vendors must be advised to cover their food
especially during monsoon season when flies and mosquitoes are more.