Strict norms issued for supplying drinking water

• The drinking water supply sources, other than the Kerala Water Authority, should have an FBO licence and the sources should have certificates proving the safety and quality of water. (File/EPS)

Food Safety Commissioner Biju Prabhakar has issued a strict directive that Food Business Operator (FBO) licence is mandatory under the Food Safety and Standards (Licensing and Registration) Regulations, 2011, to supply drinking water in tanker lorries in the state.
If a drinking water supplier has more than one tanker lorry supplying water, then the registration number of the vehicle should be shown in the licence separately.
“If a supplier doesn’t own a vehicle and is operating a rented one, the number should also be mentioned in the FBO licence,” the directive said.  All tanker lorries and other vehicles supplying drinking water should carry a clear sign saying ‘drinking water’. If the water being transported is to be used for other purposes, the signage should say ‘not for drinking purpose’. Water being carried without a clear signage would be considered as drinking water and action would be taken by the Food Safety officials.
The inside of the tanker lorries carrying water should be coated with some certified coating material, such as bituminastic coating, to prevent water contamination .
Distributing drinking water in tanker lorries or storage tanks that do not meet this condition will be considered illegal and is punishable under the Food Safety and Standards (Licensing and Registration) Regulations.
The documents regarding the coating should be kept in the vehicle and during inspection if the supplier concerned fails to provide the documents, the vehicle will be seized.
Also the drinking water supply sources, other than the Kerala Water Authority, should have an FBO licence and the sources should have certificates proving the safety and quality of water. Tanker lorries and other vehicles transporting water should display the FBO licence.
The water quality should be tested every six months in government laboratories or labs having the accreditation of the National Accreditation Board for Testing and Calibration Laboratories.
The commercial consumers including hotels, hospitals, apartments and others should necessarily keep a register containing the details of the supplier.
It should also have the details such as the source of water, copies of lab reports on water, details of the quantity of water purchased (in litre), details of the licence of the distributor and the contract entered with the supplier.
“If the register is not maintained, then it will invite legal action under the Food Safety and Standards (Licensing and Registration) Regulations,” the directive said.