Stephan Kayyar
Daijiworld Media Network – Kasargod (EP)

Kasargod, Apr  23: Water being supplied in Kasargod city and the surrounding area during the last few days is found to contain salt beyond permissible limits. The department of health has warned that it may adversely affect the health of the people.

The salt content was five times the permissible limits in the water supplied on Monday, April 21.  While usually salt content in one liter of water remains within 250 milligrams it was found to be 1300 milligrams in the water supplied on Monday.

The department of water supply supplies water to Kasargod city, Muliyaru,Chengala, Madhuru and Puttur panchayat limits from Payaswini lake through Bavikkere reservoir.

It is said that the absence of a barrier to block salt water from flowing to the lake has caused the problem.  Nearly 50,000 people depend on water from Water Authority.  Health experts have found that an increased consumption of salt leads to increased blood pressure and kidney ailments.

The world health organization and laboratory of water resources has banned supply of water containing salt.

The water supply department has provided 6,970 water pipe connections.  5,654 among them are in the city area.  The salt content in the water supplied during last summer was 840 milligrams in a liter of water.

The people of Kasargod and surrounding areas are left with no option other than consuming salt water.  Though a temporary retaining wall was constructed spending several lacs of rupees it was not effective to stop salt water.  The demand for a permanent solution is yet to be fulfilled.