Punjab envisages Water Quality Index
The Punjab government has set up 15 automated monitoring stations at various locations to monitor water pollution in the province's canals, rivers and other natural water bodies.
The stations track water quality and analyse 14 parameters every hour.
The stations have been installed along rivers and barrages to enable continuous monitoring of water quality. The government is also preparing to introduce a Water Quality Index, similar to the Air Quality Index (AQI), to provide regular assessments of pollution levels in water bodies.
Punjab Environmental Protection Department Environmental Monitoring Centre Head Noor Ahmed said while talking to The Express Tribune that the index would help assess water pollution levels and identify their sources on a scientific basis.
He said monitoring stations had been installed near the Ravi Siphon and the river's confluence with Hudiara drain. Water quality is also being monitored at Head Marala, Khanki and Trimmu on the River Chenab, as well as at Kalabagh on the Indus and other locations.
Data collected from the stations will help authorities track changes in pollution levels at different points along the rivers and assess the extent of contamination over time.
Research is also under way to identify the sources of pollution in Hudiara drain.
Water samples have been collected from 56 locations along the drain, with approximately 1km distance between sampling points.
The official said the samples would be analysed across all seasons to determine the contributions of local industries, urban discharges and polluted water entering from across the border.
The findings are expected to help establish the proportion of pollution attributable to each source.
Preliminary observations indicate that pollution levels are higher in the downstream sections of the rain near Lahore than at closer to the border. However, the precise contribution of different sources will be determined after the completion of the study, the monitoring centre head added.
According to a report, pollution levels in the Ravi remain relatively low between Narowal and Zafarwal and the siphon.
The situation changes after the river enters Lahore, where untreated municipal sewage and contaminated water from around 10 locations enter the it, adversely affecting the water quality.
The finding highlights the need to treat municipal sewage and industrial effluent before discharging it into water bodies.
Meanwhile, specialised water squads have been deployed across the province to monitor industrial discharges and take action against units violating environmental regulations.
The teams are tasked with identifying sources of industrial pollution and enforcing compliance with environmental laws.
In Lahore, work is under way to install at least eight wastewater treatment plants for the city's sewage before its discharge into waterways. The implementation of some projects for the purpose has begun.
Anti-smog guns
The environment department has also deployed anti-smog guns at pollution hotspots on the basis of air pollution readings and ground conditions.
Punjab Environment DG Abdullah Nayyar Sheikh said the department was using a data-driven approach to deploy the guns at locations where pollution levels required immediate attention.
He said field teams were monitoring conditions across the city and ensuring that the machinery was moved to identified pollution hotspots.
He said the action was part of efforts to curb dust and particulate matter during the smog season.
"The deployment of anti-smog guns is being linked with field monitoring so that the available machinery can be utilised where it is most needed," he said.
According to the department, the anti-smog guns are being deployed on a priority basis at locations with elevated PM10 (Particulate Matter 10) levels to suppress dust on roads and surrounding areas for limiting its dispersion.
Operations Member Sajid Bashir said the deployment was not restricted to any location and was being adjusted according to monitoring readings.
He said field teams were continuously assessing different areas and shifting the machinery where required to address pollution hotspots.
The guns were operated on Friday at Quaid-e-Azam Campus, Bahkewal, Muslim Town, Maulana Shaukat Ali Road, Gulberg, Stedex Complex, Doctor Hospital, Main Multan Road, Jail Road in Jinnah Town, Pasco Society and other spots.