A majority of samples of drinking water being supplied by the Water and Sanitation Agency (Wasa) to the Lahorites showed E-coli bacteria, suspended particles, arsenic and other such contamination in it.According to experts, the presence of E-coli, a kind of fecal coliform bacteria, indicates sewage or animal waste contamination in drinking water while the suspended particles also pose threat to human health. Sources say that though the senior officials of Wasa continue receiving water sample reports/results, which indicate contamination but they never took any serious action. According to an official letter of Aug 20, the Wasa managing director expressed displeasure over the situation, directing the officials to take measures for providing clean drinking water to millions of people in Lahore. Water quality test of the majority of drinking water samples supplied by the Water and Sanitation Agency (WASA), show the presence of E.Coli, a bacteria abundantly found in sewage and animal waste, as well as arsenic and fluoride.This can be explained by the continued practice of discharging domestic waste containing household effluent and human waste to a sewer system, a natural water body or a nearby field, which finds its way to the groundwater supply. The presence of arsenic and fluoride in sub-soil water was the result of untreated industrial effluent in water supply sources such as rivers and canals. As the contamination problem grew worse and the relevant authorities continued to evade the issue, a contempt petition moved last month by Dr Allah Bakhsh Nadeem, a resident of Lawrence Road seemed to jolt everyone to take action.The Lahore High Court subsequently ordered WASA to separate water supply from the sewerage system of the city and submit a compliance report till September 15, whereas the provincial government has assigned WASA a project to remove sewer inlets from the Lahore Canal in efforts to reduce contamination of the drinking water supply. It remains to be seen how the Lahore Development Authority (LDA) and WASA, deal with improving the water supply system, which needs upgrading desperately. The old rusty pipes, non-operating tube wells, and a lack of chlorinators at supply points are exacerbating the problem. The provincial government would be wise to take swift action to address this problem, which is the root cause of widespread disease, especially Hepatitis.
pk.shafaqna.com
