PANAJI
In a major regulatory overhaul to tighten oversight of potable water supply, the Goa government has directed mandatory GPS tracking for all water tankers supplying drinking water in the State, while also introducing compulsory registration, monthly water quality testing and QR code-based monitoring.
Under fresh guidelines issued by the Department of Drinking Water (DDW), every tanker supplying potable water will now have to install GPS tracking devices approved by the department to enable real-time monitoring of tanker movement and operations.
“The GPS devices will have to be installed through agencies authorised by the DDW and according to specifications laid down by the department,” reads the notification issued on Friday.
Alongside GPS tracking, the government has also made registration with the DDW compulsory for all drinking water tankers operating in Goa, failing which action would be taken.
The notification said the move was intended to improve accountability and curb malpractice in the supply of drinking water through private tankers, a sector that has long operated with limited regulation.
The government has further warned that any tanker caught committing malpractice could be de-registered by the DDW and barred from obtaining fresh registration for a minimum period of one year.
Tankers will have to apply online and pay a one-time non-refundable registration fee of Rs 5,000, along with an annual renewal fee of Rs 3,000 before the end of each financial year.
Before registration, tanker owners must obtain certification from the Directorate of Transport confirming that the tanker body has internal stainless-steel lining and complies with mandatory safety norms. The tanker body must also be painted blue and display prescribed markings and QR codes.
Each tanker must be calibrated and stamped by an authorised Legal Metrology Officer before registration is granted. Annual re-verification by the Legal Metrology Department has also been made mandatory.
Every registered tanker will receive an online registration certificate and a QR code generated by the DDW. The QR code, which must be prominently displayed on the vehicle, will contain details of the tanker, water quality tests and other relevant information.
The DDW said that as part of stringent water quality monitoring mechanism, regular testing will be conducted at least once every month, and tankers will only be permitted to continue supplying drinking water if the samples meet prescribed standards.
For this, tanker operators will have to pay an annual water testing fee of Rs 10,000. The DDW said all water quality reports would be placed in the public domain.
In addition to scheduled checks, surprise and on-the-spot water quality tests will also be carried out to ensure compliance.
The guidelines apply to all tankers supplying drinking water, including those hired or deployed by the DDW, although department-hired tankers will be exempted from testing charges.
The government has also said members of the public would be encouraged to procure field test kits approved by the DDW to independently verify water quality.
