KARACHI, Nov 1: In its desperate attempt to meet the least requirement amid hue and cry from the citizens of almost entire city, the KWSB has resorted to make a passionate appeal to the consumers to conserve water.

The appeal seems to be a signal that the situation has gone beyond the Board’s control as all the emergency and austerity plans, proudly introduced and implemented by the KWSB over the last few weeks, have failed to produce some positive results.

Instead of providing relief to the water-starved consumers, certain KWSB measures have aggravated the situation in some areas. The water holiday system was aimed at containing the shortage resulting from the suspension of the dried Hub Dam source. The shortage, however, turned into a virtual stoppage of the supply in Karachi West bringing in intolerable miseries for the residents of a vast territory. The affected families had no choice but to look for the expensive tanker water.

Similarly, the water diversion plan, rotation system, frequently revised strategies, streamlined system of operation and several other measures over the past several weeks have also failed to provide relief to Karachiites who are purchasing water from hydrants and that, too, after running from pillar to post in availing an opportunity to fetch a single tanker.

The KWSB’s appeal to the frustrated citizens to conserve water, has given an impression that there is no hope of an end to the scarcity in near future contrary to the Board’s much publicized assurances that the situation would be normalized soon.

The appeal, made by a spokesman for the KWSB on Friday, contained the advice for the consumers to stock a sufficient quantity of water, during the week, that could be utilized on water holidays. The spokesman addressed his appeal particularly to the residents of Karachi West. The area is being supplied water, the spokesman said, from the alternate source — Indus River system — in the face of the closure of Hub Dam source. The affected areas include Orangi, Baldia, Shershah and SITE. The spokesman argued that the water holiday system was prompted by the alternate arrangement. The routine daily supply from the trunk main linked with the COD Filter Plant would have to be closed for the purpose.

Under the water holiday system, there would be no water supply to Federal B Area, North Nazimabad, Buffer Zone, Nazimabad and Shadman Town areas on Mondays.

Tuesdays would be observed as water holiday in Clifton, Gizri, Delhi Colony, Punjab Colony, Sheerin Jinnah Colony, Bhutta Village, Jinnah Hospital, NICVD, Naval Dockyard, NORE-1 and GE Army connection as supply from the city main trunk would remain suspended.

Water supply to Old City area, Garden East and West, Soldier Bazaar, Saddar, Shikarpur Colony, Cosmopolitan Society and some parts of Lyari would remain suspended on Wednesdays.

There would be no water supply to Landhi, Korangi, National Refinery, Defence Housing Society, KPT, Pakistan Railway and PAF Korangi Base areas on Thursdays.

Water holiday will be observed in Gulshan-i-Iqbal Blocks 3, 4, 6, 7, 13 B, 13 A, 10 A, 10, 16, 17 and 18 on Fridays.

The areas of PECHS, KDA, Sharfabad, TV Station, Aga Khan University, Liaquat National Hospital, KECH Society, Civic Centre, Mehmoodabad No 5, Liaquatabad, Furqanabad, Gharibabad, Bandhani Colony and parts of Nazimabad will receive no water on Saturdays.

The spokesman explained that the water conserved on holidays would be provided to Karachi West areas.

TURBID WATER: Residents of Ghulam Quadir Brohi Street and adjacent localities have complained that they were receiving contaminated water and water-borne diseases like diarrhoea and stomach ailments were on the rise in their area.