20000404

Can water

suppliers

ignore hygiene

KARACHI: Mushroom growth of the can water companies lowered the hygiene standards as now they are hardly supplying germ free filtered water throughout the city.

According to details, different companies after getting a no objection certificate from the city authorities for supply of clean potable water start their supply in cans.

Though they charge very nominal price ranging from Rs 10 to Rs 25 for a 10 and 12 litre can, most of them hardly bother to clean the cans before refill.

Several others collect the empty bottles of (imported) mineral water of different brands and seal the refilled bottle in a way that the user, having no idea of such cheaters, hardly notices the difference. Such cheaters reportedly have been spotted in defence and adjacent areas.

Can water people, generally have installed small filter plants at different areas of the city, in one room of their residence, from where they fill the can and supply through pick ups. Leaving aside the effectiveness of the filters used by such companies, they seal the can without removing and clearing the old seal that become a sanctuary for germs.

A large number of Karachiites fail to get sweet water and those lucky who get it from Water Board feel shy of using it for drinking purposes due to contamination.

The samples drawn from different localities shows the mixing of coliform (filth) in potable water due to which people have to rely on can or bottled water.

The board authorities have, however, claimed that such complaints have been reduced to a considerable level during the last couple of months, claiming credit for it's prompt action on complaints regarding leakage of water lines.

Bottled water being expensive is out of accessibility of middle class due to which they have to buy a filter to get clean water but where there is no sweat water available, people have to rely on can water.ÑAPP