Vegetables grown with sewage causing diseases: report

Report says sewage water was not only hazardous in itself, but use of cleaning acids make water more dangerous

SARGODHA: Use of sewage water for cultivation of vegetables is causing a number of diseases, including hepatitis and cancer, a report by Pakistan Agricultural Research Council (PARC) revealed on Monday.

The report stated the use of sewage water for cultivation of vegetables as well as for wheat and other crops was hazardous for human health.

According to the report, sewage water was not only hazardous in itself, but the use of cleaning acids in homes and chemicals in factories make the water more dangerous. Authorities have yet to take action against such people who were playing with the lives of the citizens.

The vegetables produced in such yields were being sold in local markets on daily basis but the people were unaware of the hazards. The main reason for using sewage water for cultivation was the unavailability of clean water, farmers said.

A spokesperson of Tehsil Municipal Administration said several notices were served to such people, , adding, a comprehensive strategy was devolved to deal with such elements. He disclosed that water treatment plants were also being planned which would make sewage water suitable for cultivation.

Published in The Express Tribune, February 14^th, 2017.