LAHORE, May 25: The City District Government of Lahore (CDGL) plans to revive the overhead reservoir water supply system for improving water management.

District nazim Mian Amir told reporters on Thursday that cooperation from cell phone and outdoor publicity firms would be sought to raise funds for the construction of 350 reservoirs. The companies could use overhead tanks for commissioning their transmitters and installing publicity hoardings.

The nazim said an advertisement-seeking expression of interest would be issued next week.

He said the tanks would not only help in ensuring supply of water during power breakdowns but also reducing pumping time and thus conservation of aquifer.

He said the city water table was depleting by over one-foot each year creating fears that a further decline in it might cause flow of brackish water of surrounding districts to Lahore.

The nazim said direct supply to consumers from tubewells would be cut off and Wasa would approve new connections for the houses having underground water tanks.

About the death of three sewermen a couple of days ago, he said such incidents occurred owing to lack of training as well as resources. Almost all sewermen were work-charged employees so there was no system for training them how to ensure their safety at job, he said. Owing to lack of training, the sanitary staff was unaware of the importance of using safety gear.

The nazim said efforts were under way for mechanising the whole process of clearing sewer lines.

Water samples: Minister for Chief Minister’s Inspection Team (CMIT) Shuja Khanzada on Thursday visited various areas of the city and obtained water samples for laboratory tests, directing the environment department to submit a report within two days.

The minister visited District Courts Chowk, Bilal Ganj, Bagh Munshi Ladha, Kasurpura, Marzipura, Bund Road, Samanabad, Allama Iqbal Town, Clifton Colony, New Muslim Town and Ichhra. CMIT member Muhammad Iqbal Bela, Wasa managing-director Inam Qadir and officials of the district government accompanied him.

The residents of Bagh Munshi Ladha, Kasurpura, Marzipura and other localities informed the minister that they were receiving polluted water.

The minister said the government was taking all-out steps to provide clean potable water to the people. He said reports of the samples would be submitted to the chief minister for action.

He directed the Wasa managing-director to immediately redress complaints of the people. He also directed him to establish special desks in all towns in the city so that complaints of the people regarding the polluted water could be redressed without any delay.