Over half of Karachi’s water supply unfiltered

KARACHI: Authorities on Sunday informed the judicial commission on water and sanitation in Sindh that more than half of the 140 million gallons of water supplied to Karachi every day is unfiltered.

The revelations were made to former Supreme Court justice Amir Hani Muslim, who heads the commission, during a visit to Pipri Water Filtration Plant’s laboratory.

Justice (retd) Muslim was accompanied by local government department secretary, Karachi Water and Sewerage Board MD and other officials.

When the judicial commission head enquired who the chief chemist was, officials responded that the post is vacant at present and an advertisement has been published in this regard.  Justice (retd) Muslim was astonished to learn that water tests were conducted once every 15 days.

Moreover, the head of the commission was informed that 140 million gallons of water are supplied to Karachi every day, of which not even 50 per cent is filtered.

The former judge then summoned details of the expansion and funds of the filtration plant.

The next hearing of the commission is on January 25, before which the former Supreme Court justice said 5that he will visit various water filtration schemes to monitor their conditions personally.

Earlier, Justice (retd) Muslim visited sewage treatments plants I and II in Karachi and expressed dismay at their condition.

The commission was recently constituted by the Supreme Court to investigate the authorities’ failure to provide potable drinking water, improve sanitation and curb its impact on the environment in Sindh.