(standing center) Dr. Ngangshi K. Ao, Minster PHE Nagaland with officials of the department of Public Health and Engineering at the launch of the mobile water testing laboratory at Dimapur.
Dimapur, March 2 (MExN): To carry out statewide water quality survey and to create data base on water quality, the department of Public Health Engineering has launched a mobile water testing laboratory. The mobile laboratory will conduct on-site testing and can cover more than one district/ block/ area simultaneously. With the launch of the mobile laboratory, remote areas can be covered and sample degradation is avoided. Also, results are accurate and reliability of test results is ensured and also aids in creating awareness among the masses.
The mobile laboratory, a Tata 709 (32 seater) was procured at the cost of rupees 35 lakhs. The laboratory area (19X7 ft) has facilities for both wet and instrumental analysis and is embedded with interior wood work as per laboratory standards with acid proof surface and also has a generator of 5.5 KVA with complete electric panel for all instruments, equipments in the laboratory and interior lighting. It is also equipped with storage cabinets for glassware, plastic ware, chemicals and stationery and has ample space for operation of laptop and printer with chairs, stools and fire extinguisher. The lab also has formulated reagents for analysis, chemicals, glassware, and plastic ware for upto 1500 samples.
The laboratory will help in creating data base on water quality so that the PHE is made aware of the exact remedial measure to be taken for quality improvement and also to ensure more reliable water tests, by enabling spot water testing, which ensures potency of water sample. It will also help to evaluate water quality trend over a period of time and assess the fitness of water for different uses. It is also expected that there will be generation of awareness among the rural masses about the water quality issues and the problems related to water borne diseases, identification of deficiencies, if any, in the existing water supply system and suggest remedial measures, to prepare of guidelines for initiating suitable measures for surveillance.
The mobile laboratory is equipped with various modern gadgets to test parameters like Alkalinity, Fluoride, Nitrate, free Chlorine, Chromium, Copper, Cyanide, Iron, Manganese, Sulphate, Arsenic, pH value, total dissolved solids, Turbidity, Chlorides, Hardness, and Bacteriological testing.
The inaugural function was held at the PHE Central Store Office premises at Supply Colony Dimapur, with Dr. Ngangshi K. Ao, Minster PHE Nagaland as the chief guest. Terming the inaugural as a historic moment in the records of PHED, Dr. Ngangshi advocated for safe and clean water in the state, saying that with industrialization, the increase of population and urbanization, added with people’s lack of civic sense, the need for clean water is felt more than ever before.
“For the time being, the mobile lab will serve its purpose in surveying the quality of water that people are drinking and take measures appropriately. It will render good service to the people by testing the quality of water in different areas of Nagaland,” he said. He also stated that sustainability of the programme is very important, and hoped that the mobile lab will map the whole state and assess the different quality of water in all areas.
“A new blood has been injected to the department,” said Dr. Ngangshi, expressing happiness on the works carried out by the officers and staff of the department of Public Health Engineering. “I have noticed that the officers and staff have been working hard, to do something for the department and the people,” he said and added that there is visible motivation towards a purpose, commitment, and responsibility to the people to supply safe water.
The mobile laboratory, a Tata 709 (32 seater) was procured at the cost of rupees 35 lakhs. The laboratory area (19X7 ft) has facilities for both wet and instrumental analysis and is embedded with interior wood work as per laboratory standards with acid proof surface and also has a generator of 5.5 KVA with complete electric panel for all instruments, equipments in the laboratory and interior lighting. It is also equipped with storage cabinets for glassware, plastic ware, chemicals and stationery and has ample space for operation of laptop and printer with chairs, stools and fire extinguisher. The lab also has formulated reagents for analysis, chemicals, glassware, and plastic ware for upto 1500 samples.
The laboratory will help in creating data base on water quality so that the PHE is made aware of the exact remedial measure to be taken for quality improvement and also to ensure more reliable water tests, by enabling spot water testing, which ensures potency of water sample. It will also help to evaluate water quality trend over a period of time and assess the fitness of water for different uses. It is also expected that there will be generation of awareness among the rural masses about the water quality issues and the problems related to water borne diseases, identification of deficiencies, if any, in the existing water supply system and suggest remedial measures, to prepare of guidelines for initiating suitable measures for surveillance.
The mobile laboratory is equipped with various modern gadgets to test parameters like Alkalinity, Fluoride, Nitrate, free Chlorine, Chromium, Copper, Cyanide, Iron, Manganese, Sulphate, Arsenic, pH value, total dissolved solids, Turbidity, Chlorides, Hardness, and Bacteriological testing.
The inaugural function was held at the PHE Central Store Office premises at Supply Colony Dimapur, with Dr. Ngangshi K. Ao, Minster PHE Nagaland as the chief guest. Terming the inaugural as a historic moment in the records of PHED, Dr. Ngangshi advocated for safe and clean water in the state, saying that with industrialization, the increase of population and urbanization, added with people’s lack of civic sense, the need for clean water is felt more than ever before.
“For the time being, the mobile lab will serve its purpose in surveying the quality of water that people are drinking and take measures appropriately. It will render good service to the people by testing the quality of water in different areas of Nagaland,” he said. He also stated that sustainability of the programme is very important, and hoped that the mobile lab will map the whole state and assess the different quality of water in all areas.
“A new blood has been injected to the department,” said Dr. Ngangshi, expressing happiness on the works carried out by the officers and staff of the department of Public Health Engineering. “I have noticed that the officers and staff have been working hard, to do something for the department and the people,” he said and added that there is visible motivation towards a purpose, commitment, and responsibility to the people to supply safe water.
