KARACHI, April 20: A number of children and elderly people residing in Lane No 245 of PECHS, Block 6, have contracted a severe type of stomach ailment owing to consumption of contaminated water being supplied to their houses.

Residents of the affected locality said that although around 50 houses and a number of schools situated in their vicinity, have been receiving contaminated water for the past one month, the KWSB officials concerned have not yet taken measures to rectify the problem although a number of complaints have been lodged to them about filthy water.

"The water from out taps gives a bad odour, it also has a light-brown sedimentation," they added. "We have already informed the KWSB's executive engineer concerned about the persisting problem, but despite this around four dozen houses continue to be supplied filthy water at the cost of health of inmates," they said.

Arshad Mirza, a resident of the locality, said his mother had been hospitalized for an acute stomach problem after she consumed contaminated water. Besides, a number of children in my neighbourhood have become a victim to diarrhoea, Hepatitis-A and typhoid owing to continuous supply of contaminated water, he added.

He also claimed that at least four schools, situated near Lane No 245, Block 6, PECHS, are also being supplied contaminated water as their pipeline is the same. Suspecting that sewage might be seeping into the water supply pipes, residents of the affected locality urged the KWSB MD and chief engineer (water distribution) to direct the officials concerned to resolve this lingering issue or else diarrhoea, hepatitis-A and typhoid would assume an alarming proportions.

HASSAN SQUARE: Water coming out from a leaking pipeline near Hassan Square and Cosy Homes apartments has caused extensive damage to a nearby service road. Residents of the locality apprehend that the water they are getting from the leaking pipeline might not be safe for drinking as it usually remains stagnant on the road and then seeps into the pipeline.