Annual Report 2003-2004

Water samples from submerged drinking water sources were
initially tested with H2S strips, and where test results were found positive,
water samples were further tested in laboratory for confirming
contamination. Disinfection of public drinking water sources was carried
out by RWSS organization and private drinking water sources were
disinfected jointly by RWSS and H&FW Department officials. A total of
85,718 drinking water sources were disinfected.
In addition to the local Self Employed Mechanics (SEMs), 224
teams and 142 mobile vans were pressed into service for repair and
disinfection of drinking water sources. The damaged drinking water
sources were repaired and restored immediately.
One of the examples of integrating disaster mitigation measures with
development activities is having tube wells platforms raised in
submergence prone areas. Rural Development Department decided to raise
the platforms of minimum necessary number of tube wells in submergence
prone villages of districts such as Cuttack, Jagatsinghpur, Kendrapara,
Jajpur and Puri. In pursuance of this decision, about 600 tube well
platforms in the aforesaid districts have been raised above high flood level
to make safe drinking water available to people during floods.