KARACHI, July 18: The University of Karachi has developed a low-cost system of wastewater treatment using micro-organisms that are already present in the wastewater.

This was stated by the VC Prof. Dr. Zafar Saeed Saifi while talking to APP on Thursday.

He said that Karachi University model is capable of removing up to 90 per cent of biochemical oxygen demand and up to 99.9 per cent faecal indicator bacteria.

Dr. Saifi said this model had been transplanted with certain modifications at Mauripur here for treatment of 54 million gallons wastewater daily by the KWSB.

He said that the 54 million gallons daily of treated water is released into the sea which is proving beneficial for the development of mangrove forests.

The VC said previously untreated water was released into the sea which was detrimental to these forests as well.

He was of the view that keeping in view the success of this model and the Mauripur plant, it is suggested that many more such plants may be designed and established which will help improve the environmental health of the community.

Dr. Saifi said the department for poverty-alleviation in the first phase will initiate a diploma programme. A committee has been formed to prepare syllabus for this.

Prof. Saifi said as part of the university, work towards poverty alleviation, a model of low-cost housing, is being developed at the campus. This 200 square yard house is expected to be ready by the end of this year.

The constant availability of gas to this would be ensured through bio-gas plant as well as the electricity through wind-turbine and solar energy cell.

The VC also said that Dr. Abdul Qadeer Institute of Biotechnology and Genetic Engineering will start functioning from Oct 15 for which instruments worth Rs30 million have been acquired.

The VC said for poverty-alleviation, a department would be set up at the university which will start functioning from the next academic year.

The VC also said that the fiscal deficit of Karachi University which was Rs70 million last year has now been reduced to Rs40 million.

He said due to financial and administrative discipline during the past one and a half months, the deficit has been reduced further by Rs8.1 million and efforts are being made to reduce the fiscal deficit of the university to Rs15 million in the next six months.

Meanwhile, the VC has accepted the request for meeting the representatives of teachers, officers and employees’ welfare organisations.

According to a KU spokesman, meetings with the representatives of Karachi University Teachers Society (KUTS) and officers and employees’ welfare organisations will be held on Friday (July 19), separately.—APP