Karachi Water and Sewerage Board (KWSB) Managing Director Misbahuddin Fareed has said that supply of 100 million gallon water from Hub Dam is still discontinued causing more water shortage in the metropolis.
“Due to this many areas of city are experiencing acute water shortage as such areas are getting water supply only once in 15 days,” he said.
Last year the heatwave killed 2200 people and shortage of water was said to be one of the reasons. This year too, a severe heatwave is predicted to hit the city
Addressing the inaugural ceremony of a three-day Pak Water Expo 2016 as chief guest and later talking to media at Expo Centre, Fareed said that there is need of 1,100 million gallons of water every day to meet the city’s water needs whereas only 550 million gallons are being supplied through Indus River system.
“Distribution of this water is a great challenge for the water board. Presently Indus River is the only source of water for Karachiites but it too has reserves for seven days only,” he added.
MD KW&SB said that 420 million gallons of untreated sewage is being poured in sea causing pollution. There is also much need of desalination plants in the city. Supreme Court of Pakistan ordered to install treatment plants in all industries at shores to curtail pollution is not implemented. All industries should install their own treatment plants, he urged.
Government of Sindh has approved PC1 for installation of combined effluent treatment plant having capacity to teat 500 million gallons on water board land and work has started on project. Untreated domestic and industrial effluent, waste is being discharged in Ravi River which is poured in Indus River and finally in Arabian Ocean. Treatment plants should be installed in all parts of country, he urged.
He said that many major companies are selling water board water in their bottles pretending it as mineral water to consumers which should be stopped. Pak water expo is a good initiative which should be expanded at further level, he suggested.
Project Director Kamran Abbasi told that more than 24 companies have participated in this event and more than 30 stalls are established. “Equipment used in water distribution, treatment and conservation will be at display from 10am to 7pm every day till Feb 25th, he added.
Guest of honor Director Quality Control PSQCA Shabir Qureshi told that laboratories of authority are providing testing services and raising consumer awareness about mineral water. Logo of PSQCA is guarantee of product quality. He appreciated organizers for providing opportunity to all relevant industry people to be under one roof.
