In cities, sewage and industrial discharge are the main source of water pollution. In larger and more industrialized cities, the problem becomes acute. The common practice in Pakistan is to let factory waste products and fluids drain into rivers or canals. In Nowshera, for example, waste from factories, the sewage system and homes is discharged into the Kabul river. Waste from Rawalpindi is discharged into Leiah Nullah, from Lahore into the Ravi River, from Faisalabad into the Paharang and Mduhana Drains, and from karachi to into the Layari and Malir Creeks.
The coastal waters around karachi are highly polluted. Much of he wastes discharged into the creeks in and around Karachi eventually go into the sea, thus polluting the coastal waters around the city. The Layari, for example, drains into the manora Channel, which is enclosed on three sides, creating a toxic stretch of water that does not mix with the Arabian Sea. The ships that dock at Karachi Port also discharge oil and other waste into the sea.
The extent of pollution in the Layari is such the chloride content is 1 000 to 1300 ppm (parts per million), sulphate 850 to 1200 ppm and the Total Dissolved Solids (TDS) 2 000 ppm. An analysis of the coastal water at Karachi Port also reveals disturbingly high quantities of TDS, chloride, bicarbonate, calcium, magnesium, sodium and potassium. In addition to sewage, the main contributors to water pollution in this area are the 500 industries connected to the Sindh Industrial Trading Estate (SITE). As a result, the salt produced by the mauripur road and works is no longer fit for human consumption. The effects of this water pollution on the health of the residents of Layari and the workers at Karachi Port have yet to be determined. No assessment of the ill effects on the air by polluted water has been made although it must be considerable.
Other urban centers in Pakistan, particularly large cities and industrial areas, face similar problems on a smaller scale. The solution lies in the efficient and timely treatment of industrial waste and domestic sewage. It is a pity that ships treat the coastal waters of Pakistan as a dumping ground for refuse. They are not allowed to do this in the ports of developed nations.
Safe, clean drinking water is a basic necessity, yet only 53 percent of the population has access to safe drinking water in Pakistan. In rural areas. this percentage falls to 40, and in many regions drinking water is not available in sufficient quantities. At times, the water has to be transported to villages from great distances. Because Pakistan is largely and arid country, there are few streams. The rainwater that collects in ditches and small lakes, is used for drinking, washing clothes, bathing, In a short time, it becomes filthy and unfit for human use. However, some people have no option but to use this water. The use of contaminated water is one of the main causes of the diseases in rural areas.
About 79 percent of the urban population has access to safe drinking water in Pakistan. In the cities, the municiple corporations are generally responsible for the provision of water. In many cities, water is supplied to different parts of the city according to a fixed schedule. As a result, people only receive water at specified hours of the day. Urban centers in Pakistan are expanding rapidly with a resultant demand for more water. New sources of water like the Hab Dam near Karachi are being tapped to meet the increasing demand but only with partial success.
In Pakistan, water is generally treated with chlorine to make it safe for drinking. The ill effects of chlorine on the lungs is now well known. even more serious are the liver and intestinal diseases which are spread from contamination of drinking water from leaks in underground water pipes. This problem particularly affects residents of the older parts of Karachi or other large urban centers.
The coastal waters around karachi are highly polluted. Much of he wastes discharged into the creeks in and around Karachi eventually go into the sea, thus polluting the coastal waters around the city. The Layari, for example, drains into the manora Channel, which is enclosed on three sides, creating a toxic stretch of water that does not mix with the Arabian Sea. The ships that dock at Karachi Port also discharge oil and other waste into the sea.
The extent of pollution in the Layari is such the chloride content is 1 000 to 1300 ppm (parts per million), sulphate 850 to 1200 ppm and the Total Dissolved Solids (TDS) 2 000 ppm. An analysis of the coastal water at Karachi Port also reveals disturbingly high quantities of TDS, chloride, bicarbonate, calcium, magnesium, sodium and potassium. In addition to sewage, the main contributors to water pollution in this area are the 500 industries connected to the Sindh Industrial Trading Estate (SITE). As a result, the salt produced by the mauripur road and works is no longer fit for human consumption. The effects of this water pollution on the health of the residents of Layari and the workers at Karachi Port have yet to be determined. No assessment of the ill effects on the air by polluted water has been made although it must be considerable.
Other urban centers in Pakistan, particularly large cities and industrial areas, face similar problems on a smaller scale. The solution lies in the efficient and timely treatment of industrial waste and domestic sewage. It is a pity that ships treat the coastal waters of Pakistan as a dumping ground for refuse. They are not allowed to do this in the ports of developed nations.
Safe, clean drinking water is a basic necessity, yet only 53 percent of the population has access to safe drinking water in Pakistan. In rural areas. this percentage falls to 40, and in many regions drinking water is not available in sufficient quantities. At times, the water has to be transported to villages from great distances. Because Pakistan is largely and arid country, there are few streams. The rainwater that collects in ditches and small lakes, is used for drinking, washing clothes, bathing, In a short time, it becomes filthy and unfit for human use. However, some people have no option but to use this water. The use of contaminated water is one of the main causes of the diseases in rural areas.
About 79 percent of the urban population has access to safe drinking water in Pakistan. In the cities, the municiple corporations are generally responsible for the provision of water. In many cities, water is supplied to different parts of the city according to a fixed schedule. As a result, people only receive water at specified hours of the day. Urban centers in Pakistan are expanding rapidly with a resultant demand for more water. New sources of water like the Hab Dam near Karachi are being tapped to meet the increasing demand but only with partial success.
In Pakistan, water is generally treated with chlorine to make it safe for drinking. The ill effects of chlorine on the lungs is now well known. even more serious are the liver and intestinal diseases which are spread from contamination of drinking water from leaks in underground water pipes. This problem particularly affects residents of the older parts of Karachi or other large urban centers.
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