Scarcity of water is threatening human lives: Wangnao

PHED uses modern technology in providing drinking water to Rüsoma

Principal Correspondent
KOHIMA, SEPTEMBER 5

MOVING in line with the advancement of technology, Public Health Engineering Department has come to rescue of Rüsoma village under Chiephobozou RD Block in providing safe drinking water.
Initiating the scheme – Augmentation of Water Supply through Deep Tube Well to Rüsoma under National Rural Drinking Water Programme, PHED Minister Noke Wangnao formally inaugurated plant with distribution system, since there are no viable surface water sources for the village.
Addressing the inaugural function, Noke said, “Nagaland being a hilly region and many villages are situation on top of hills with undependable water sources but today the dream comes true particularly for Rüsoma village as the villagers will now get clean drinking piped water supply after so many years”.
He said that the ministry of Drinking Water and Sanitation, GOI, under the program National Rural Drinking Water Program (NRDWP) set the national objective to provide every rural person with adequate safe water for drinking, cooking and other domestic basic needs on a sustainable basis by 2019 and Rüsoma is one of the beneficiaries of this programme.
He also asserted the gathering that, PHED in its efforts to provide all rural habitation with safe drinking water where there is no gravity water source, is resorting to other methods and technologies like supply of pumping, Tube Wells, Rain water Harvesting and Traditional Wells.
He said water is the most basic need but the scarcity of water is likely threatening human lives on earth soon.
Stressing on the need to know water management, particularly the safe and clean drinking water supply, he urged upon the villagers to extend continued support particularly in operation and maintenance of the scheme through WATSAN to have uninterrupted and sustainable clean drinking water.
Meanwhile, he also asserted the gathering that the NPF-led DAN government in the state, being a peoples’ mandated government of the people, is committed to work for the welfare, progress and all round development of the state.
Pressing brief technical report on the scheme Chief Engineer Kevisekho Kruse said that Rüsoma village under Chiephobozou RD Block is a water scarce village with no economically feasible and dependable gravity source. He said piped water supply was provided in the past when the village was having a smaller population, however the system could not deliver the required service due to depletion of water at the source as well as rapid increase in population.
In the meantime, the villagers have been relying on traditional wells for their drinking water needs which entail the villagers to go down to distant wells to fetch water with great difficulty, he said adding that such wells are the only lifeline for the village although there is o guarantee about the quality of water since water treatment facilities are not in place.
Highlighting the summary of the scheme, he said the total estimated cost is Rs. 145.04 lakh, number of bore wells drilled is 4, out of which 3 were successful; 3 nos of Iron Removal Plant (IRP) with slow sand filter to clear water reservoir and aerator tray assembly constructed, 5 nos of public fountain, 1nos of distribution reservoir, combined average discharge for 3 units in 1 hour of pumping is 12900 litres and a minimum of 6 hours pumping per day of all the three units is advised in order to provide at least 40 litres per capita per day for Rüsoma village.
Shorts speeches were also delivered by President Kohima District GB Association Zeneivi Chase and ADC Chiephobozou Bodeno S. Colo.
The program chaired by Secretary PHED, Asenla S.Longchari, Pastor of AG Church Rüsoma Rev. S. R Mepfhüo offered the dedicatory prayer while Rüsoma village Chairman Kruzolie Zhale delivered the welcome address, whereas the vote of thanks was tendered by Er. Y. Tep, SE, PHED, Kohima Circle. Folk song was presented by Rüsoma village.