RAWALPINDI: After finding less underground water in the area around old Benazir Bhutto International Airport, the Water and Sanitation Agency (Wasa) has decided to install 12 tube wells in Islamabad area.

“Rs637 million has been released by Punjab government for the project and it will be started next month as the agency has completed all arrangements to launch it,”WasaManaging Director Raja Shaukat Mehmood told Dawn.

He said water shortage in the area was increasing and less underground water is available in the area so we have decided to install tubewells along Islamabad Expressway and lay a 9-kilometre long water supply line towards union councils 76, 77 and 78.

Under the project, 12 tube wells will be installed along Islamabad Expressway and water will be supplied to Faisal Colony, Fazl Town, Mangral, Dhoke Hafiz, Chaklala, New Afzal Town and Dhoke Munshi Katchi Abadi.

“Wasa selected the sites for installation of tubewells along Islamabad Expressway and found sufficient waterundergroundto supply to thickly populated areas,” he said, adding that three water reservoirs would be constructed.

“One overhead water tank andthree undergroundwater tanks will have the capacity for 400,000 gallons of water,” he said, adding Wasa already applied for a no objection certificate (NOC) from Capital Development Authority (CDA) and it would likely get it in a week or two. He said the agency also installed eight tubewells in Islamabad, a few years ago and supplied water to Morgah and adjoining areas.

He said these UCs came under the ambit of Wasa, a few years ago and before this, the water supply system of these UCs was operated by local citizen community boards. Due to non- functioning of existing tubewells, percolation wells and damaged distribution network, water was not properly supplied to people.

After taking control of these UCs,Wasahas taken immediate steps to improve the water supply situation including repair of existing tubewells, percolation wells, electric motors, transformers and water supply lines, Mr Mehmood said, adding these thickly populated areas face acute water shortages during the summer season and people mainly rely on water tankers.

“An underground water modelling study has revealed that there is adequate water to cater to the water requirement of these areas for the next 20 years but we planned to installed 12 new tube wells and supply water through water reservoirs,” he added.

The new project will provide benefit to residents and increase Wasaconsumers in these areas.

Published in Dawn, February 18th, 2022