Neglect plagues city's water filtration plants

Where the supply of water has remained an incessant woe plaguing the peace of locals in Karachi, it appears that even the measly quantity of water supplied to the residents is not fit for consumption.

Most of the water filtration plants of the Karachi Water and Sewerage Corporation (KW&SC) have been in disrepair in the city for many years. As a result, due to an inadequate amount of chlorine mixed in the water, many diseases, especially the deadly Naegleria, risk spreading among the local population.

Talking to The Express Tribune, General Secretary of the People's Labour Union Mohsin Raza disclosed that the Karachi Water and Sewerage Corporation (KW&SC) has nine filter plants, out of which only three are in working condition while the remaining six have been in disrepair for many years.

"As a result, forty percent less chlorine is being added to the water supply in Karachi. Hence, the water reaching all districts across the city is not disinfected and is causing various types of diseases among the citizens. Due to the negligence of the top officials of the Water Corporation, the required amount of chlorine cylinders has not been available for a long time. At some places, the staff adds the right amount of chlorine during the day but at night, chlorine is mixed in less quantity. Approximately, 645 million gallons of water is being supplied daily to the city. For this amount of water, 240 cylinders of chlorine should be available per month; however, only 150 cylinders are being supplied," revealed Raza.

On the other hand, a spokesperson for the KW&SC while talking to The Express Tribune claimed that all nine filter plants with 32 chlorinators located across six different locations were functional. "Chlorine tablets are being added to all water tankers going from the government hydrants of the Water Corporation. Apart from this, water samples are being analyzed on a regular basis in various laboratories of the Water Corporation," claimed the spokesperson.

The on-ground reality, however, proves otherwise. Last year, the Health Department of Sindh obtained more than 50 water samples from different districts of the city before testing them at the Karachi Water and Sewerage Board (KWSB's) laboratory. The results confirmed the presence of several contaminants including pathogenic bacteria like Vibrio cholerae, E. coli and total coliforms, all of which culminated into a diarrhoea outbreak, which affected at least 20,000 children between April to September last year.

Similarly, Naegleria fowleri, which grows in contaminated water and is activated at 35 degrees Celsius, claimed four lives last year in Karachi. Just recently, a woman died of Naegleria in the Gulshan-e-Iqbal area of District East. Hence, it is expected that the amoeba will cause several casualties during the upcoming harsh summer months.

Cardiologist and health expert Dr Muhammad Akram Sultan revealed that if there is excess chlorine in water and it is used continuously, it will cause eye irritation, difficulty in breathing, coughing, vomiting, itching and stomach pain. "Water that has a high chlorine content and is used for a long time can also cause bladder and anal cancer," informed Dr Sultan.

While commenting on the precautionary measures needed to control the spread of Naegleria, the KW&SC spokesperson advised citizens to clean the overhead and underground tanks storing water on a monthly basis and avoid bathing in swimming pools, ponds and reservoirs with unchlorinated water. "Apart from this, citizens should use one chlorine tablet in a 1,000-gallon water tank, which is enough for 15 days. People should use boiled or chlorinated water while performing ablution and bathing or for cleaning the nose in general," emphasized the official.