Union Government has issued an advisory for ensuring safe drinking water during lockdown for effective management of COVID-19 pandemic. It has stressed on the need to ensure the supply of safe drinking water to all citizens particularly in the rural areas where facility of medical sanitizers is not available. State Governments have been asked to give top priority for taking measures to augment supply in water deficient areas and special focus to vulnerable sections of the society like people residing in relief camps, quarantine facilities, hospitals, old-age homes and slums.

Government has also advised that wherever chemical treatment for enhancing the safety of potable water is required, appropriate purifying chemicals like chlorine tablets, bleaching powder must be used. Hassle free supply of these chemicals must be ensured as the purifying chemicals comes under the essential commodities. Sufficient field test kits must be made available to the villagers trained in their use and they are advised to do periodic testing of supply water and all concerned in the event of any contamination. Arrangements for round the clock vigil may be made to ensure functionality of water supply systems from source to delivery points.

Government has asked the states to provide masks and sanitizers to the officials who are engaged in managing the operation and maintenance of the water supply systems in the field. It has also been advised to strengthen the existing grievance redressal mechanism so that any interruption in water supply can be immediately brought to the notice of all the concerned officials and timely action can be ensured to reinstate the supply. Government further stressed that norm of social distancing and relevant instructions issued by the government to combat the COVID-19 pandemic may be adhered in letter and spirit.