Pakistan’s most populated province, Punjab, is facing a serious water shortage threat. The underground water levels of some of the biggest cities of the province are down by 90%. WaterAid Pakistan has marked cities, including Lahore, Lodhran, Vehari, Khanewal, and Multan as the fastest depleting freshwater resources.
The remaining 10% underground water is highly contaminated with arsenic particles. Previously, the Supreme Court of Pakistan had also expressed great concern over the increasing quantity of arsenic in drinking water across Punjab.
The Threat
The findings were reported by Pakistan Council of Research in Water Resources after a thorough research of two years. Due to a huge demand, the underground water resources are turning saline.
Cases of stomach-related diseases have also increased in the province by manifold due to the use of contaminated water.
Water from the underground sources of Khushab, Jhelum, Laiyah, Jhang, Sargodha, and Faisalabad is also marked unfit for consumption due to salinity and arsenic contamination.
Punjab’s marine life is also endangered as the factories are dumping their industrial waste in River Ravi, resulting in reduction of oxygen levels.
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Numerous water supply companies are working across the country to sell RO treated water but samples collected for testing show that they are not following the required standards for the treatment of water.
Depleting underground water isn’t new to the world. Other nations have successfully fought against the rising threat. The US has developed ways to treat saline water, at least for watering the crops.
Alaaas hum bus Roads aur Pull banain gay
Na Kabhi Paani ka socha
na Kabhi Hospitals
neither kisi Gareeb ka
:(
sir lan-at bhejo govt. par. hamaray gharun mein jo pani waste hota hai, kya wo govt ka kasoor hai?
Bhai wo ap ne aur me ny ee rokna hai
Baaqi I Do what I can Do
Mujhy Water Wastage ni pasand na e krta hon
Baqi hum sab ko apna kaam krna hoga
:)
Dear Farhan, 90% is really a big percentage, Please share some stats/article where you got it from. thanks.
90% means death in one year. He’s insane. But the way people consume water is also alarming. Due to shortage and high electricity cost people cannot turn on AC and try to get cooled down by water pumped up from underground. Every house has a water pump bore.
We don’t think so that water is decresed by 90%. Three weeks ago we visit in different villages of punjab and found many tube-wells working fine ALHAMDULILLAH.
One thing here we need to add that stop wasting water. As it is the biggest blessing of ALLAH S.W.T.
Mohtram paani jitni gehrai mein ho ga utna he behtar ho ga , aor utna he saaf hoga , jitna oper ke traf aay ga utny ziada acid hoon gy us mein , fasal k liy paani 1000 feet say mily to bilkul theek rehta ha aor hamary yahan 30 feet pay ha , jo k buhat ziada karwa aor nuqsan deh ha , i samjh mein bat ?