Kakinada, Nov 16th: Thousands of students of various government schools in Godavari districts will shortly get safe water under Jalamani, a centrally sponsored project of installing stand-alone water purification systems in schools. The superintending engineers of the Rural Water Supply departments in both East and West Godavari districts have already identified nearly 300 government schools for implementing the project in the first phase. Jalamani will be implemented through the gram panchayat, village water and sanitation committees, self help groups and school committees.

Village panchayats will have overall responsibility to ensure that the systems are run effectively and drinking water available by the systems meets the minimum prescribed standards in terms of quality, portability and quantity. The capital cost of each stand-alone system will not exceed Rs 40,000. Ownership of the water purification systems will rest with schools authorities while operation and maintenance on the systems will be the responsibility of the manufacturers and suppliers. In West Godavari district, officials concerned have identified nearly 150 government schools for implementing the project.