Water is most precious commodity on earth with its myriad uses to support the system and life on this planet. Clean and safe drinking water is critical to sustain human life and it has become more relevant today as COVID-19 pandemic has spread its deadly tentacles almost everywhere.
In order to ensure clean and safe drinking water in confirmation with the standards of World Health Organization to every household and irrigable water to the fields of farmers Jal Shakti Department has been ensuring proper repair and maintenance of water storage tanks in district Solan. The department at the same time has undertaken repair, cleaning and chlorination of water sources in view of coming summer season. The department has also undertaken awareness programmes to sensitize the public on importance of clean and safe water.
Solan district has a total of 795 water supply schemes. Of these, 318 schemes are in Solan division, 227 schemes in Nalagarh division and 250 schemes in Arki division providing clean water and irrigation facilities to people in the district.
In view of the COVID-19 problem, Jal Shakti Department Solan first of all sensitized all the employees of the department about guidelines and advisories to be followed while undertaking any kind of activity of the department. They were also made aware of importance of social distancing as well as regular hand washing. The purpose of the awareness programme was to ensure the health safety of all personnel involved in water supply schemes at different levels in the district.
The Solan, Nalagarh and Arki divisions of the department first completed the repair and maintenance works of various drinking water and water supply schemes so that people do not face any problem in the long term. All the schemes were physically inspected. The department subsequently ensured the cleanliness of the storage tanks constructed for water supply. As many as 1586 water storage tanks have been supplying water at various stages to people in the district.
All the drinking water tanks were chlorinated as per standard. The department also repaired hand pumps especially in rural areas so that there is no shortage of drinking water in such settlements where hand pumps are the main means of water supply.
In addition to above works, Jal Shakti circle Solan started construction activities on water supply schemes in the district. Construction work has begun in 33 schemes which were under construction prior to lockdown. A total of 240 workers have been benefited through these construction works on these schemes in Solan circle. In all the construction sites, every care has been taken to maintain social distancing as per the guidelines of the government.
The Jal Shakti Department has completed the work of a sewerage scheme of Rs 34 crore in Baddi town of Nalagarh subdivision even in this crisis period. While 95 percent of work on the sewerage scheme costing Rs 17 crore has been completed in Nalagarh town.
Along with these basic functions, the department is regularly making people aware of waterborne diseases occurring during summer season. The department is also creating awareness amongst people on the importance of clean drinking water, prevention of diseases and about conserving each drop of water.