THE GIST of Editorial for UPSC Exams : 02 March 2020 (Delhi water doesn’t conform to ISO standards (The Hindu))

Delhi water doesn’t conform to ISO standards (The Hindu)

Mains Paper 2: Health
Prelims level: Bureau of Indian Standards
Mains level: Cause of the failed water quality as per Bureau of Indian Standards

Context:

• None of the drinking water samples randomly collected from across Delhi conforms to the ISO standards of purity in one or more requirements, the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) informed the Supreme Court.

Bureau of Indian Standards:

• Of a total of 11 domestic piped drinking water samples, one is from the residence of Union Consumer Affairs Minister Ram Vilas Pawan.
• The sample taken from his 12, Janpath residence failed on the parameters of odour and aluminium and coliform contamination.
• The BIS functions under the Ministry of Consumer Affairs.

Key highlights of the BIS report:

• It was found that all the drinking water samples drawn from Delhi were non-conforming in one or more requirements as per IS 10500:2012 [specification for drinking water],” concluded a 64-page report filed by the Department of Laboratory Policy and Planning Department of the BIS.
• The samples were sent for testing at the laboratories accredited to the National Accreditation Board. The test reports are on record in the court.
• On January 13, the court ordered the pollution control board and the BIS to conduct a random check of water quality in Delhi and submit a report in a month.
• The BIS report said it drew samples from various locations across Delhi and 20 other State capitals under an integrated scheme.

Initiatives taken so far by the government:

• A Bench of Justices Arun Mishra and Deepak Gupta deputed another joint inspection by the Central Pollution Control Board, the BIS and Delhi Jal Board.
• The Delhi government has maintained that potable water in the national capital is safe. The re-inspection has been ordered for further clarity.
• The ..............................

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Conclusion:

• Coliform contamination occurs when faecal matter gets mixed with treated water supplied to consumers.
• Ultimately, consumers face dangerous gastrointestinal diseases, like dysentery, as a result of this contamination.

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Prelims Questions:

Q1. With reference to the Happiness Curriculum, consider the following statements:
1. It is one of the flagship schemes of the Delhi government in the education sector launched in July 2018 in all government schools.
2. For the evaluation, no examinations are conducted, neither will marks be awarded.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
(a) 1 only
(b) 2 only
(c) Both 1 and 2
(d) Neither 1 nor 2

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Mains Questions:
Q1. What do you mean by the Bureau of Indian Standards? Describe its report highlights on water sample collected across the Delhi state.