This mobile water testing laboratory will be an effective mode of surveillance of drinking water quality in rural areas of the state of Haryana; quickly identifying the water quality problem on the spot. The lab is capable of measuring different water quality parameters such as pH, alkalinity, TDS, hardness, residual chlorine, zinc, nitrite, fluoride, turbidity and micro-biological test of water samples.
Haryana, the north-western Indian state of India, has come up with a novel approach as part of its water supply mission to all its residents when it comes to water testing on the spot !!
Water quality in Haryana is mainly affected by total dissolved solids (TDS), fluoride, nitrate, iron, and alkalinity. Taking cognizance of the pressing need for water testing, a state-of-the-art ‘Mobile Water Testing Laboratory Van’, fully equipped with multi-parameter system containing analyzers / sensor / probes / instruments meant for water testing.
This mobile water testing lab van has been uniquely designed and fully loaded with latest technologies and features: It is GPS-enabled for location tracking and the analyzed sample data can be transmitted to a centralized PHED server via GPRS/ 3G connectivity with power backup. It also provides ‘On-site’ recording and reporting of results through a smart phone or similar device with the ability to send results direct to a web-based secure central server. “This mobile van also has a fully automated sensor-based analysis controlled by centrally commanded software. The LED display unit in the mobile lab gives an instant display of the results immediately after analysis,” a government release said.
Supply of clean and safe water is essential for public health, and therefore, ensuring supply of water along with regular testing is imperative. The Jal Jeevan Mission of the Government of India’s Ministry of Jal Shakti aims to provide tap water connection to every rural home by 2024. The work under this mission is being done on war footing and the mission gives a lot of emphasis on water quality surveillance and monitoring.
This mobile water testing laboratory, the government hopes, will be an effective mode of surveillance of drinking water quality in rural areas of Haryana. The lab is capable of measuring different water quality parameters such as pH, alkalinity, TDS, hardness, residual chlorine, zinc, nitrite, fluoride, turbidity, and micro-biological test of water samples. This mobile lab will help in quickly identifying the water quality problem on the spot at site.
The government has said, the mobile testing van will be stationed at State Water Testing Laboratory, Karnal and its area of operation will be throughout Haryana. This new facility will provide access to water-testing facility even at the remotest corner of the state. Further, in the event of outbreak of water-borne disease, these vans can be deployed onsite for effective management and quick access to water test reports. Besides, they can also be used for counter checking of quality of testing from all laboratories, the release said earlier this week.
The Jal Jeevan Mission mandates that in every village five persons, especially women, are to be trained for use of Field Test Kits, so that water can be tested in villages. Public Health Engineering Department / Rural Water Supply department of different states are supposed to ensure supply of safe drinking water to rural homes and monitor water quality on regular basis by testing in the laboratories.
