Dead horse: CDA’s bulk water supply facility dysfunctional

Over 15 employees still perform duty at the facility.

ISLAMABAD:

A Capital Development Authority (CDA) water supply facility —- built before Simly and Khanpur dams were set up —- to cater to the needs of Islamabad residents, has been under-utilised for decades.

The Bulk Water Production unit’s water storage tanks and filtration plants in Garden Avenue near Pakistan Sports Complex used to be the main distributor for water in Islamabad. Today, the tanks and plants are rusting and corroding.

Interestingly, over 15 CDA employees are performing duty at the facility despite the fact that it has become a dead horse for the civic agency.

An officer in the water and sanitation department of the civic agency, who wished not to be named, said that the CDA spent millions of rupees on the facility, spread over five kanals.

The official said that water shortage in twin cities could be overcome if the facility was made functional again.

Every summer, Islamabad faces water shortages when Khanpur and Simly dams hit dead levels due to low rain and high consumption, the official said.

“Around 75 to 80 million gallons of water are supplied to Islamabad from Khanpur and Simly dams and tube wells, while the daily requirement stands at around 180 million,” another CDA official told The Express Tribune.

“The high ups must understand the gravity of water problems as Islamabad’s population is rapidly increasing and it would be difficult for the CDA to meet demand unless all water supply sources are fully tapped,” said the official.

Another official said that instead of building new mini dams, the CDA should use the existing water facilities.

CDA Engineering Member Sanaullah Aman, however, claimed that the authority did not need to revive the facility, as according to him, the CDA has others water sources to meet demand.

Aman said that the bulk water facility was built when the capital did not have dams nearby. When asked if the people would face water shortage in the summer, he said the CDA has already stored two million gallon water for the season.

“The CDA has stored 200 million gallons after the recent rains. It is enough for the summer season,” he claimed. Aman said the CDA was also working on a plan to supply water to the capital from the Indus River.

CDA Administration Member Amir Ali Ahmed, however, accepted that the under-utilised facility should not be ignored. He said he will bring it the CDA chairman’s notice and take up its revival. “Every under-utilised water facility will be made functional in the near future,” he claimed.

Published in The Express Tribune, April 20^th, 2014.