By Alexia Saoulli
THE HEALTH Ministry yesterday dismissed as ” false”widespread reports that water sold from private tankers and dispensers did not undergo proper testing.
The denial came after deputies on the House Commerce Committee on Tuesday expressed concern when – during a discussion about bottling plants – a Ministry representative apparently told them that water tank-trucks and special vending machines were merely given a visual check.
Press reports yesterday even suggested that the water being sold like this might come from unknown sources and claimed drivers did not possess Health Ministry certificates deeming their water ” safe for consumption” .
But Health Ministry Chief Health Inspector Mamas Philippou yesterday told the Cyprus Mailthese claims were nothing short of ” false” .
” I have read these articles myself and all I can say is that they are extremely misleading and that there has obviously been some sort of misunderstanding,”he said.
” I think it is important that the public knows the water being sold for consumption by these water tank-trucks and vending machines has been checked and is continuously checked by the Health Ministry.”
Philippou described the lengthy, process that the owners of trucks and vending machines had to go through before their product was allowed for public sale.
” First, they have to send a sample of the water, at their own expense, from a chosen water source to the state lab for chemical and microbiological analysis.
” After the water has been deemed clean and suitable for consumption, they are awarded a certificate that states just that. Meanwhile, the actual compartment in which the water is supplied is examined visually to see whether or not it is clean.
” The water suppliers then return to their source and fill their tanks with the Ministry approved water.
” Once their tanks are filled, the water is inspected by Health Inspectors and sent for analysis once more. Upon determining it’s safe for consumption, they are awarded a certificate from the Health Ministry as well as the local municipality, and allowed to distribute their water to the public, “Philippou said.
But the story does not end here. Every so often, water containers and vending machines undergo spot checks, and if their water is contaminated, those responsible are prosecuted.
The president of the water-tank suppliers’ union, Yiannakis Myltiados, also confirmed the rigorous inspections that each and every one of his members has to go through in order to become a certified supplier.
” There are about 70 of us and our water is checked chemically and microbiologically at least every two months.
” Although sometimes we’re checked every two weeks, 10 days or even three days,”he said, adding that with such frequent spot checks it was not worth jeopardising your livelihood by selling unclean water.
Philippou also said that the vending machines’ contents had to be analysed monthly and the results posted to the Ministry. Records are kept to ensure that this process is adhered to.
DISY deputy Lefteris Christodoulou, President of the House Commerce Committee, said yesterday ” the issue concerning healthy water will be examined in detail in the New Year, from its distribution, to transportation and consumption” .
