|
|
|
| October 13, 2003 | Monday | Sha'aban 16, 1424 |
People warned against using untreated water
RAWALPINDI, Oct 12: The Water and Sanitation Agency (Wasa) has warned the people against using water from private borings without getting it treated.
The Authority has sounded the warning after its own laboratory tests have confirmed that the underground water is not safe for human consumption.
The Wasa officials told this reporter on Sunday that water samples had been collected from Khanpur and Rawal dam supplies, various tubewells and some private commercial and domestic borings and sent to the laboratory at Rawal Dam filtration plant.
The tests were conducted after a recent laboratory report of the district health department confirmed that eight out of the ten samples from Wasa’s supply were contaminated and therefore unfit for human consumption.
The test proved that the underground water in areas adjacent to the Leh Nullah like Khayaban-e-Sir Syed, Pir Wadhai, Dhok Hassu, Dhok Najju, Liaqat Road and Asghar Maal contained impurities.
“It is alarming that people use untreated water from domestic and commercial borings. The underground water in the nearby Leh areas is contaminated to a dangerous level. If people continue using it, water-borne diseases are likely to break out in the city,” an official said. He asked the people to install water purification machines on their private borings and avoid using water directly. He said Wasa had issued no objection certificates for digging borings for commercial use only.
The official said water from Khanpur and Rawal dams was fit for human consumption, as it was supplied to the people after proper treatment. Besides, he said, the water of most of the tubewells is also safe for drinking except for those located close to the Leh Nullah. The Authority has already installed chlorinators at these tube wells, he added.
Responding to a query, he said the main factor responsible for supply of contaminated water to some consumers was leakages in the water mains at numerous points. Besides, he said, some sewage also seeps into the pipelines at various points. The Wasa’s managing director has expedited the process of redressing the complaints, he added.
He asked the people to inform the Authority about leakages and clean their water tanks at least once a month because a survey by the Authority had also proved that some consumers had not cleaned their water tanks for the last two to three years.
|
|
|
|
