Wasa inaction: Protest against contaminated water

The residents appealed to the authorities to take notice of the situation and resolve it on priority basis.

FAISALABAD: Residents of An-Najaf Colony on Sunday protested against the Water and Sanitation Agency (Wasa) for supplying contaminated drinking water. Haji Qaisar Islam, a resident of the colony, said, “We have told Wasa several times that we receive water contaminated with sewage. Several people have contracted hepatitis and gastroenteritis because of it, but no action has been taken yet.” Syed Tahir Husain, another resident, said, “Wasa’s water supply pipelines are very old and rusty. The piped water mixes with leaks from sewerage lines and people have no option but to drink it.” Rana Riaz, another resident, said, “The sewers in the area have been blocked for days. The gutters are overflowing and the area looks like one big pond of sewage waste.” The residents appealed to the authorities and government to take notice of the situation and resolve it on priority basis. Wasa Water Supply Supervisor Anwar Khan said, “We have forwarded the complaints regarding contaminated water supply. The issue would be resolved very soon.”

Published in The Express Tribune, July 15^th, 2013.