Strict norms issued to ensure safe drinking water supply

The Food Safety Commissioner, Biju Prabhakar, has issued a special set of guidelines to ensure the supply of drinking water through tanker lorries in the district. The guidelines were issued in the wake of a severe shortage of drinking water in various parts of the State.

According to an official release issued here on Thursday, the norms make it mandatory for tanker lorries to possess a Food Business Operator (FBO) license under the Food Safety and Standard (Licensing and Registration of Food Business) Regulations, 2011.

Special licenses

The FBO license number should be displayed on the lorries. Moreover, establishments using multiple vehicles for supplying water are required to apply for a special license that contains the registration numbers of all vehicles.

All drinking water sources, except those of the Kerala Water Authority, must have the FBO license, the release said. Tanker lorries and other vehicles used for supplying water must carry a signage in which it should be written ‘Drinking Water’ in English and Malayalam.

For those vehicles transporting water for other purposes, the signage must state ‘Not for Drinking Purpose’ on the tanks. Legal action would be initiated against those transporting water without the proper signage.

The quality of the water should be ascertained every six months by testing at government laboratories or those accredited by the National

Accreditation Board for Testing and Calibration Laboratories. The norms also specify that the interiors of the water tanks must be coated with certified materials in order to prevent the contamination of water.

The vehicles transporting drinking water for supply are required to have the Food Safety and Standards Act (FSSA) license, laboratory report stating the water quality and certificate regarding the coating material used in the tank. The failure to produce the required documents is a punishable offence, it has been specified.

Directions for public

The norms also direct the public to ensure that water is purchased only from those distributors with valid FSSA licenses.

Hotels, restaurants, apartments, hospitals and other establishments which purchase water were asked to maintain a register that contains the details of the supplier.

It should also contain the water source, copies of the lab reports on the quality of water, license details of the supplier, and a copy of agreement for water supply and the quantity of water.

Non-compliance of the regulations would lead to legal actions under the FSSA. Further details regarding the norms can be obtained by contacting the toll-free number: 1800 425 1125.

 Source:http://www.thehindu.com