Rawal Dam water to be tested

Samples from Korang Nullah, catchment areas sent for analysis

RAWALPINDI:

The environmental protection department has started the collection of water samples from the catchment area of the Rawal Dam following complaints of pollution, it emerged on Sunday. The area supplies water to the twin cities of Rawalpindi and Islamabad.

A member of the inspection team confirmed to The Express Tribune on Sunday that the samples were collected from different areas of the Korang Nullah and other points of the catchment areas over the weekend

Muhammad Amin Baig, who is senior research officer at the department, said these samples would be sent to the laboratory, with action to be taken once the results come in.

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“In the light of this sampling report, the catchment area of Rawal Dam will be cleaned and any necessary measures including spraying will be carried out for water quality,” said Baig.

The water flows from Ghora Gali Murree via Chattar Park to the Rawal Dam. These areas have a large number of poultry farms, hotels, and rest and guest houses.

Single-use disposal items, polythene gaps and other refuse were found in most water channels, one member of the team said.

The provincial and federal governments have also started a project to clean the catchment areas of the three dams – Rawal Dam, Simli Dam and Khanpur Dam – that supply water to the residents of the twin cities.

An amount of Rs150 million has been set aside to upgrade the water treatment plants at the three dams.

 

Published in The Express Tribune, November 20^th, 2023.