Farooka City residents consume contaminated water

Health experts fear spread of water-borne diseases in the area

SARGODHA: Residents of Sargodha’s Farooka City have become vulnerable to various water-borne diseases after consuming contaminated water due to negligence of local government and district administration.

A survey by Express News showed that a large number of patients have been admitted to different government and private hospitals in the area. Health department officials have confirmed that the number of such patients is rising on a daily basis, while locals are rapidly falling victim to water-borne diseases.



The survey revealed that the core reason behind the contaminated water supply is the rusted and broken pipelines, which have become a health hazard for the people of the city. Another cause of the contamination is the underground junction of rusted and broken pipelines and sewerage lines which are located in close proximity of each other at several spots.

Residents of the area have accused the district administration of not paying attention to the matter in residential and commercial areas.

Health department officials fear that people could get infected with hepatitis, gastroenteritis and kidney ailments if the situation continues to prevail. Officials have expressed concern that water-borne diseases could also extend beyond Farooka City to connecting water systems if remedial preventive measures are not taken immediately.

While speaking to Express News, local resident Rana Shaukat Ali said, “The water is contaminated and is unfit for human consumption.” He added, “The government should take measures to provide safe drinking water to the people.”



Another resident Syed Sarfaraz Shah said that if immediate steps were not taken, people could get infected by water-borne diseases. “In the past, several people were admitted to hospitals after consuming contaminated water but nothing has been done to address the issue,” he lamented.

Similarly, Dr Naveed Raja said that the rulers have turned a blind eye over the matter. He maintained, “It is the right of every citizen to get clean drinking water and the government should do something to provide relief to the masses.”

Published in The Express Tribune, December 1^st, 2018.