Pakistani Panel Raises Alarm Over Contaminated Water in Islamabad
Islamabad, Pakistan – A Pakistani parliamentary panel has raised serious concerns about the heavily contaminated drinking water in both urban and rural areas of Islamabad. Out of 127 tubewells in the federal capital, 22 were found unsuitable for human consumption.
Survey Findings
During a meeting of the Senate Standing Committee on Water Resources, led by Senator Shahadat Awan, members discussed a survey conducted by the Pakistan Council of Research in Water Resources (PCRWR) in June 2024. The survey results, presented by the secretary of the Ministry of Water Resources, revealed that out of 127 tubewells, 105 were safe, while 22 were unsafe. Additionally, among 108 water filtration plants, 69 were safe, and 39 were unsafe. Out of 12 waterworks assessed, seven were safe, and five were not. In rural areas, out of 41 water supply sources, 33 were unsafe.
Contaminants Detected
The survey tested 37 parameters and found significant contaminants, including nitrates and microbial organisms, in the water. Senator Shahadat Awan expressed his dissatisfaction with the unsafe water supply, noting that the issue has persisted since 2019. He urged the secretary of water resources to consult with the Capital Development Authority (CDA) and questioned why no action had been taken despite reminders from the relevant ministry.
Water Shortage
Residents of Islamabad are also facing a water shortage, needing approximately 220 million gallons per day (mgd), while the CDA currently supplies about 70 mgd in urban areas. In rural areas, residents depend on small water schemes or groundwater, but the underground water table is rapidly depleting.
Proposed Projects
Several projects have been proposed to enhance the water supply, such as small dams like Chiniot Dam, Shahdara Dam, and Chirah Dam, but construction has yet to begin. A major initiative to deliver 100 mgd from Ghazi Barotha Dam, planned in 2007, remains in the planning stages.
Groundwater Depletion in Balochistan
During a briefing on groundwater depletion in Balochistan, Senator Awan noted that no survey had been conducted since 2021. He emphasized the importance of preventing a similar crisis in Pakistan and urged the Balochistan Irrigation Department to halt the installation of additional tubewells.
Doubts Revealed
Pakistani parliamentary panel -: This is a group of people in Pakistan’s government who check and discuss important issues. They help make decisions to solve problems.
contaminated drinking water -: This means the water people drink is dirty or has harmful things in it, which can make people sick.
Islamabad -: Islamabad is the capital city of Pakistan, where the government and many people live.
tubewells -: These are deep wells that bring water from underground to the surface for people to use.
water filtration plants -: These are places where dirty water is cleaned to make it safe for drinking.
rural water sources -: These are places in the countryside where people get their water, like rivers, lakes, or wells.
nitrates -: Nitrates are chemicals that can get into water from fertilizers and can be harmful if people drink too much of them.
microbial organisms -: These are tiny living things, like bacteria, that can make people sick if they are in the water.
water shortage -: This means there is not enough water for everyone to use.
220 million gallons per day (mgd) -: This is a way to measure a large amount of water. It means the city needs 220 million gallons of water every day.
70 mgd -: This means the city is only getting 70 million gallons of water each day, which is much less than it needs.
proposed projects -: These are plans or ideas to do something, like building new water systems, but they haven’t started yet.
