There was a time when we could drink water directly from rivers or wells, without wondering about its purity. Because of acute contamination of water sources, this is no longer a possibility. Now, the State government, realising the extent of water pollution, is promoting Terafil units, using which water can be filtered at houses. The mechanism, developed by the Bhubaneshwar-based Indian Institute of Minerals and Material Technology, is a double-layered plastic container with blended terracotta discs in the middle which filter water.
Inaugurating the State-wide distribution of Terafil units at the Press Club here on Wednesday, Minister for Water Resources P.J. Joseph said that of the 80 lakh families in the State, only 25 per cent had access to clean pipe water, while the rest relied on wells. “Clean drinking water must be ensured in each house,” he said. The government aimed at installing these units in 54 lakh houses in Kerala. A memorandum would be sent to the Union government, seeking aid for the large-scale distribution, the Minister said.
Subhash Chandra Bose, director of the Communication and Capacity Development Unit, which is promoting the product in Kerala, termed it an “economical and environmentally favourable alternative.” The unit had been tested to ensure thorough cleansing of water, he added. Mr. Bose said CCDU wanted to promote a rain-water harvesting measure that would recharge wells which dry up during summer.
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