Water quality surveillance & monitoring - cum - testing kit demonstration programme : organised for assistant / junior engineers of Public Health Engineering Department, Bihar

This report originates from the experiences and feedback obtained during various training programmes organized for the Drinking Water Quality Improvement Project. The training programmes utilized DRDO developed field testing kits sponsored by the Water Quality Surveillance Programme and were organized for the benefit of Assistants/Junior Engineers of various divisions of the Public Health Engineering Department in Bihar. The programme was initiated in 1994 under an arrangement between UNICEF, Bihar, and M/S Creative Consultants, Patna. The information summarized in this report was obtained through on-site observations, feedback and interaction with participants and others during the organization of these training programmes. A basic training module was used in each location and as well as assessing water quality based on quality related standards, factors such as sickness, costs, availability and reliability were discussed in detail. Human activity impacts were also discussed so that appropriate yet cost effective quality preservation interventions could be undertaken at local levels. One objective of the training programme was to empower participants through attitude building concepts to become individual contributors to the task of water quality surveillance. The relation between water and disease was stressed to encourage trained personal engaged in water supply programmes to contribute to the upkeep of community health. The main thrust of the programme, however, is to teach participants new skills to use various testing facilities, to present test reports and to interpret them. The report gives general details about the programme, summarizes the training programmes conducted, and gives general observations about these programmes and recommendations. Individual reports are included for training programmes carried out in Bettiah, Khagaria, Gumla, Arrah, Sasasaram, Deogarh and Ranchi. Technical details of the water testing field kit and the chemical tests carried out are also included. The report calls for more attention to be given to water quality aspects in future water supply programmes.