WASA warns 435 factories over illegal waste discharge

The Water and Sanitation Agency (WASA) has served notices to 435 industrial units, warning them to construct septic and silt tanks or face disconnection from the city's sewerage network.

As per the official notices, the majority of industrial units have been found discharging chemically contaminated wastewater directly into WASA's sewerage lines in violation of the Punjab Environmental Quality Standards (PEQS).

Officials say this practice is not only contributing to environmental and air pollution but is also clogging the city's sewerage system, especially during the monsoon season, causing severe drainage issues for residents.

The notices, issued on the directives of Managing Director Sohail Qadir Cheema, emphasise that under the WASA Sewerage and Drainage Rules and Regulations 2015, it is mandatory for every industrial unit to install a wastewater treatment system.

However, most industries have been bypassing this requirement and illegally connecting their effluents to the city's network without the prerequisite construction of septic and silt tanks — despite having been provided with standardized designs and guidelines by the authorities.

MD WASA Sohail Qadir Cheema stated that the continued discharge of untreated industrial waste into the sewer system is a significant hurdle in providing reliable drainage services, particularly during rains when chemically contaminated water from factories floods the system.

He warned that if the directives are not implemented, WASA will proceed with disconnecting the sewerage connections of the violating industrial units. Additionally, legal action will be initiated against offenders.

To enforce the compliance, joint teams from WASA and the Punjab Environmental Protection Department have been formed.

These teams will conduct inspections and monitor compliance within a given timeframe. Units that fail to adhere to the orders will face disconnections and penalties under environmental and municipal regulations.