Press Release: More conducive and better working facilities being explored for meter readers and staff of PUC Water Depot

Ministry of Environment and Energy
Press Release: More conducive and better working facilities being explored for meter readers and staff of PUC Water Depot
Friday 11th  April 2014

More conducive and better working facilities are being explored for meter readers and staff of PUC Water Depot. This amongst other issues were discussed with the Minister for Environment and Energy Professor Rolph Payet. Minister Payet was visiting  and meeting with staff of the water division of PUC based at the Water Depot at Latanier Road. The visits started this year by Minister Payet is for him to better understand the working conditions of the around 800 staff employed by PUC, an organization providing a vital service but which is  often at the butt of harsh criticizism.

The Minister was briefed on plans to relocate staff and to refurbish various facilities such as warehouses and staff office accommodation.  He visited various facilities including workshops, stores and offices of the division.  He also held meeting with staff members of the Meter Reading Section and the Water Stores. Issues discussed in the meeting were around working conditions and resources to meet the ever increasing demand for services and improvement in delivery.

Flexibility in working hours, more modern handheld devices utilized for on-the-spot billing, recruitment of more staff in specific section, concession for PUC staff,  and the need to increase interdivisional communication, were also discussed. Minister Payet says that working at PUC on a 24 hours, 7 days a week and 365 days a year basis is not an easy task, and demands a lot and he has congratulated the staff for their hard work and dedication in the provision of such essential service.

Minister Payet says that one of the primary functions of the water division is to provide a safe drinking water supply to the public on Mahe, Praslin and La Digue, adding that the process of turning water from rivers and other sources to potable water is one which is highly delicate. PUC has six main treatment plants on Mahe namely Hermitage, Cascade, Le Niole, Rochon, Grand Anse, Mare Aux Cochons and seventeen minor treatment plants. To protect drinking water from disease causing organisms, or pathogens, water suppliers often add a disinfectant, such as chlorine, to drinking water.

PUC utilises two different types of chlorine at its water treatment plants. These are gas chlorine and calcium hypochlorite in granular and tablet forms. These products are commonly used for potable water treatment in water plants all over the world. Gas chlorine is handled in one-ton cylinders and is only being used at four of PUC’s main treatment plants. Both are relatively inexpensive and have the lowest production and operating costs and longest history for large continuous disinfection operations. Chlorine is a powerful oxidant, but used in correct way and right amount, is safe, effective and economical.   In the long term PUC is also considering the possibility of using electrolysis for production of chlorine, as the use of chlorine gas is very hazardous in terms of storage and transportation. The Public Utilities Corporation says that its treatment plants are strictly controlled and monitored to ensure that the water quality conforms to  national  and World Health Organisation standards for drinking water.