KARACHI, Feb 15: The Cantonment Board Clifton (CBC) has installed 14 water purification plants at an estimated cost of Rs9 million. These plants which are state of the art will provide potable water to area residents without charge.

Despite the fact the water supplied by the Karachi Water and Sewerage Board (KWSB) is fit for human consumption but due to the defective networking and distribution system which allows sewage to mix with drinking water the CBC has taken this measure to ensure availability of potable water to the masses.

The water purification plants have been installed in different localities within the CBC jurisdiction will start operating from next month

The CBC official said these plants will ensure bacteria and virus free water as they are installed with electro-rode through which water passes after being filtered twice from the system. Above all the taps of these plants have sensors to start and switch off water supply once the pots or containers are removed from underneath. Each plant has a capacity to supply 2,000 gallons per hour.

Seven water purification plants have been installed in DHA covering Phases I to VII. The remaining seven plants have been installed for localities like Delhi and Punjab Colonys, Bukhan Village, P&T Colony, Jumhooria and Hazara Colonys, Korangi Road and KDA scheme No5. All plants are installed at main water sources. CBC Executive Officer Iftikhar Ahmed Mir said these plants have been installed inline with federal government’s policy of providing potable water to masses. He said all care will be taken to ensure quality of water and for it effective operation a maintenance programme had been drawn up.

He said a two member team will look after each plant and ensure timely change of filters and replacement of other parts necessary to maintain water quality.

He said the plants would function for two hours in the morning and two in the evening. He appealed to the people not to misuse the facility so they could benefit from them for years to come. By June this year, six more purification plants would be installed in the area, he added.