KARACHI, Oct 21: Due to water shortage in parts of Malir, people are forced to consume subsoil water procured from illegal hydrants at exorbitant rates.

The business of water tankers is thriving in the locality owing to a persisting water shortage. The worst affected areas included Dakhana, Khokhrapar No 1, Saudia Colony Sectors 8-A, 8-B and 9, Alimabad, Model Colony, Pak Kausar Town, parts of Kausar Town and Indus Mehran. The KWSB water boosting station staff at Saudabad has attributed the water shortage to the reduced supply from Pipri.While the KWSB is yet to increase water quota for Malir from Pipri and Dumlotte, people mostly from the tail-end areas continue to suffer.

Despite making regular payments of water bills to the Karachi Water and Sewerage Board (KWSB), people of these areas are not supplied water and left at the mercy of the illegal hydrants located at Malir Halt and Quaidabad.In some of these areas water lines have been laid but the authorities concerned have utterly failed to ensure supply of water through these lines. Keeping in view the prevailing situation, people in some areas have started showing reluctance in making payments to the KWSB. An area resident said that purchasing water from hydrants had proved to be an additional burden especially on daily-wagers.

Residents of Saudia Colony said they had either been purchasing water from carts or tankers, which sometimes provided turbid water that caused various kinds of diseases as well.The tankers carrying subsoil water charge Rs200 to Rs500 per trip while carts charge Rs5 to Rs10 per container.According to area people, the only water filter plant located at Saudabad boosting station is also not up to the mark as the water filter company responsible for its maintenance is not properly carrying out its duties. They claimed that sediments of sand, fungi and algae posed a risk to the lives of the people.They said owing to the use of subsoil water, a large number of people had been suffering from various skin ailments and doctors had advised them not to consume subsoil water.