ISLAMABAD: Due to less rains in recent months and continuous use of water, the level in Simly Dam has decreased significantly.

But the Capital Development Authority (CDA) on Sunday announced it will ensure smooth water supply to residents in Ramazan, requesting people not to waste water care.

The CDA said that there was no need to panic as civic agency had enough water in its stock up to July 15 and by that time monsoon rain would fill the dam again.

The water level in the dam is currently 2271 feet against its capacity of 2315 feet. The Simly Dam is main sources of water for Islamabad, besides Khanpur Dam and tube wells.

Currently, CDA is supplying 60mgd water to citizens -24 mgd from Simly, nine from Khanpur and remaining from tube wells and two other sources.

Sources in CDA said that soon, an alternate pump machine will also add three million gallon supply from Khanpur Dam. They said that CDA had awarded the contract for new pump machine, which will be installed in next few weeks.

Islamabad is providing up to 70mgd water to its residents against the total need of 220mgd. During the last few decades, no new source was explored, except for two mgd recently added from Rawal Dam to system of CDA’s water supply.

But the civic agency has been relying on two proposed water supply projects --Ghazi Brotha (Conduction of Water from Indus Water System at Terbela Dam) and Chirrah Dam --for years.

Both the projects are under discussion since 2008, but work is yet to be started.

Last week a meeting, chaired by Federal Minister for Planning, Development and Special Initiatives Asad Umar, decided to complete the Ghazi Brotha project on public-private partnership mode but the cost of acquiring the land would be equally borne by the Federal Government and the Punjab government.

The said meeting also decided to hire the the services of Engineer-in-Chief and Frontier Work Organisation to complete the project on a faster track.

In addition, the meeting gave two and a half years to the Capital Development Authority to complete the project.

Talking about Chirrah Dam, the CDA officials said this project would be a joint venture of Punjab Government and CDA paid Rs851.8 million to Punjab government many years ago, but project has yet to be started.

Meanwhile, a press release issued by CDA on Wednesday said that the CDA administration is committed to ensuring the 24 hours provision of water to the citizens.

“Water supply is continued in the city despite the deficiency of water in Simly Dam. Water tanker services will be available 24 hours during Ramazan,” the press release said.

It added that decision has been taken to impose fine on citizens who are found wasting water.

It said that work is underway to resolve the issues of water leakage in the city.

More water plants and filtration plants are being installed across the city.

The press release said that, the department of water supply of CDA has closed 8 to 10 leakage points and preserved one mgd.

“One mgd water has been provided to sectors I-10, and I-9 from Simly Dam.

Similarly, the CDA said that new pipelines have been laid in G-11 to ensure the water supply to the sector.

“The citizens of small houses of G series are being provided water 24 hours. Almost 200 complaints are being received on daily basis which are being addressed through water tankers on the same day. Complaint number will be made public within one week. Citizens will be able to register their complaints regarding water leakage, water shortage, and any other on the complaint number. The administration of CDA has appealed to the citizens not to waste water,” it said.

The press release said that citizens are being asked not to waste water while washing vehicles and floors. Those who would be found wasting water will be fined up to Rs10, 000.

CDA will cut the connections of those citizens who are fined for second time while bore of their homes will also be sealed.

Published in Dawn, April 15th, 2021