Untreated sewage

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Karachi's coastline has turned into a dumping ground for untreated sewage, exposing the city's failure to prioritise environmental protection and public health. The S-3 sewage treatment project, launched in 2007 as a joint venture between the federal and the provincial government, held the promise of mitigating this crisis. It envisioned four treatment plants - TP-I, TP-II, TP-III and TP-IV - processing the city's sewage before its discharge into the ocean. Yet, nearly two decades later, the project is a glaring testament of mismanagement and indifference.

After a delay of seven years, construction on the S-3 project commenced in 2014, with an ambitious timeline of two years for completion. However, almost a decade later, only 7.6% of Karachi's sewage is being treated, with the rest - an estimated 450 million gallons daily - flowing untreated into the Arabian Sea. This untreated sewage not only pollutes marine ecosystems but also poses grave health risks to the millions relying on the coast for livelihood and recreation. The reasons behind this are manifold. Chronic underfunding and bureaucratic inefficiencies have repeatedly stalled the project. As a result, Karachi's marine life has dwindled, with toxic pollutants decimating biodiversity. Coastal communities face increased health risks, including waterborne diseases. The city's once-pristine beaches, which could have bolstered tourism and provided a haven for residents, are now littered with filth and debris.

The need for immediate action cannot be overstated. Authorities must expedite the completion of the S-3 project while ensuring that all treatment plants are operational and functioning at full capacity. Concurrently, public awareness campaigns about waste management and stricter penalties for industries dumping untreated effluents into the sea are essential to address the broader issue of coastal pollution.