Emerging crisis: In Toba Tek Singh, clean water a scarcity

Contamination has resulted in outbreak of different waterborne diseases among children.

FAISALABAD: In Toba Tek Singh, the city of famous Sikh saint Teko Singh and a dry region within Punjab, fresh water is scarce and contaminated by industrial pollution.

The district has been facing acute shortage of clean water due to the poor policies of successive governments. For decades, the population of the district used to meet water requirements through tube wells installed on the banks of canals.

During the past 24 years, however, the canals has dried up and excessive power load-shedding has aggravated the situation.

What people say

While speaking to The Express Tribune, Mian Muhammad Rafique, a leader of Kissan Movement and Punjab Assembly member belonging to the ruling PML N said: “At present, 80% inhabitants of Toba Tek Singh do not have access to potable water. Even those, who are availing tap water facility, are getting contaminated water.”

“The population of Toba Tek Singh comprises more than 2.7 million people. The major source of drinking water in the district is underground water which is also used for irrigation purposes,” he added, “The water is unfit for human consumption because of being brackish and contaminated.”.

He revealed the irrigated water is being polluted with chemical effluent being discharged by textile industries. “It is playing havoc with the health and lives of people and also ruining the entire agriculture and wildlife sector of our district.”

Rafique pointed out: “I have been raising the matter in the assembly since 2008 but I could not succeed in resolving the chronic issue of drinking water and provision of canal water to the farmers.”

Former MNA and district Nazim of Toba Tek Singh Chaudhry Ashfaque told The Express Tribune, “In extremely hot and harsh weather conditions, the people of the district are running from pillar to post to acquire potable drinking water.” He added, “Those, who can afford, buy water from the markets.  The sale of mineral water is also one of the most lacerative businesses in our district,” he lamented.

He remarked: “Excessive pumping of groundwater has lowered the water table, thus making it more difficult to acquire water for daily use.”

Chaudhry Ashfaque said efforts have not been made by the Punjab government to improve the water situation which has now turned into a serious problem. “The current situation has resulted in outbreak of waterborne diseases,” he said.

“A PML-N MNA launched a water supply scheme at a cost of Rs890 million in 2009 which was scheduled to be completed in 2011 but it is in a doldrums,” he alleged.

Tariq Saeed, a senior journalist said the water crisis has gripped the entire district and without water, our life is in danger. He added majority of the population has been infected with waterborne diseases.

Contamination, a real threat

While speaking to The Express Tribune, Muhammad Jamil, a resident of Mohallah Kamal Chowk said, the water, which is being provided by water works department, is brownish in colour with foul smell. He said, “We are unable to drink water and use it for other purposes.”

He maintained, “The people have no other option but to stand in a queue at water plants to fill cans that has affected our routine work.”

A senior citizen Muhammad Ameen said over 75% people of Toba Tek Singh are forced to drink contaminated water. “The water in our taps has a foul stench. We know it is contaminated but we have to drink it because we cannot afford bottled-water,” he maintained.

All is well

However, the district’s municipal committees claim the people will be provided clean water which will be pumped through big turbines at Head Trimmu, a barrage on Chenab River, but the project is still under construction even after the lapse of stipulated time.

When contacted, Municipal Committee Chairman Ghulam Nabi Gujjar told The Express Tribune, “We received complaints regarding supply of contaminated water from two water plants and took measures to make the water fit for human consumption. The health department examined the water sample and declared it safe for drinking,” he claimed.

He added water is being supplied to residential colonies after proper treatment but old and vulnerable pipelines make it impure. He admitted that under the present setup, the municipal committees cannot meet the water demand of the district due to lack of resources.

Health risk

Senior medical officer Dr Muhammad Anwar said waterborne diseases are increasing at an alarming rate in Toba Tek Singh.

“The government-run health centres and hospitals are crowded with patients, who fall victim owing to non-availability of potable water.”

He pointed out, “The children, being admitted to hospitals, suffer from digestive problems caused by drinking contaminated water.”

Anwar said, “Owing to use of contaminated water, people in the district are suffering from rashes, itchy skin, fever, chills, cough, and muscle aches.”

Published in The Express Tribune, April 26^th, 2017.