The Chennai Corporation Council on Thursday passed a resolution seeking a ban on drinking water sachets in the city.
Coliform bacteria, faecal matter
Mayor M. Subramanian said the drinking water sold in polythene sachets in the city had been found to contain coliform bacteria and faecal matter.
The absence of non-touch technology in 22 units led to their closure.
Diarrhoea, typhoid
A large number of cases of diarrhoea and typhoid in the city have been caused because of the consumption of substandard water, he said.
The Corporation has requested the government to slap a ban on sale of drinking water sachets and other products such as unhygienic juices.
The civic body has also said that readymade packets of food should have the printed details of ingredients, address of manufacturer, date of manufacture and expiry date in Tamil.
The Tamil Nadu Packaged Drinking Water Manufacturers' Association has voiced concern at the decision of the civic body to seek a ban on water sachets.
Standards
According to a press release from the association, the Bureau of Indian Standards had introduced standards for flexible pouches for selling drinking water.
It clarified that the pouches were recyclable and had a thickness of more than 65 microns.
The Pollution Control Board had banned carry bags less than 20 microns, the press release said.
The ISI certified water pouches were safe for consumption as they were packed and sealed by automatic machines, the press release added.
