KARACHI: Pipeline burst adds to water crisis
The power breakdowns at KWSB’s major water pumping stations and treatment plants resulted in bursting of a 72-inches Rising Main at Dhabeji.
The frequent power failures played havoc at KWSB’s treatment plants No I and II, at Manghopir and Mehmoodabad and it two sewage pumping stations at Jameela Street and in Clifton, as it caused sewage overflow in various localities.
The localities which suffered owing to power failures at treatment plants and the two sewage pumping stations included PECHS Block 6, Mehmoodabad, parts of Clifton, Lyari, Old City Area, Azam Basti, Manzoor Colony and Old Sabzi Mandi area. In PECHS Block 6 and Clifton’s Block 5, people said water mixed with sewage entered their houses.
The city also suffered a shortfall of 110 mgd as the 72-inch rising main at Dhabeji got damaged on Monday owing to a back pressure caused due to power failure at pumping station.
A similar pressure on Sunday had resulted into bursting of a 54 inches sewerage line in Liaquatabad which too caused a shortfall of 100mgd.
The overall water supply, source said, has dwindled from 629 to 419 mgd from both the Indus and Hub sources, leaving a gap of 210 mgd of water in the last two days.
The KWSB officials further stated that even Muslimabad hydrant and LSR (Low Supply Reservoir) pumping station suffered power breakdowns of longer durations on Monday owing to which water could not be supplied to certain localities.
Although the KWSB has made alternative arrangements of supplying water to the city through generators and from a standby pipeline of 72-inch diameters, the city will continue to suffer water shortage as long as normal power supply is restored to its major water pumping stations, which include Dhabeji’s old, K-II, K-III pump houses, Pipri and Gharo pump houses.