ISLAMABAD: Addressing the Senate session, chairperson of the Senate Standing Committee on climate change Senator Sherry Rehman, raised concerns over the deteriorating water quality and management in Islamabad.
She stressed the urgent need for regular water testing and proactive measures to address the capital’s water-related challenges.
“Without testing every three months, the situation will continue to deteriorate,” she warned, emphasising upon the connection between poor water quality and public health, citing numbers that 93% of diarrhea cases in children are directly connected to a lack of access to clean drinking water. “The sheer number of cases is deeply concerning and calls for immediate action,” she added.
The senator highlighted the rapid depletion of groundwater resources, with levels plunging from 10 meters in the 1960s to a staggering 60-120 meters today. She stated that out of Islamabad’s 127 tube wells, 22 fail to meet health standards, while 39 of the city’s 94 water filtration plants provide substandard water: “The gravity of the crisis is evident from a recent study conducted in 2024, which found 35% of 299 water samples collected in Islamabad to be unsatisfactory. Moreover, 35% of the city’s water supply comes from underground sources, many of which are contaminated.”
She also pointed out that seven percent of tube wells are polluted with nitrates, while 16% of filtration plants contain microbial contamination.
Coliform bacteria, a major contributor to water contamination, remains a persistent problem in Islamabad, exacerbating the risk of waterborne diseases.
Sherry Rehman also shed light on the health impacts of water contamination, noting a significant rise in cases of Hepatitis A and E in 2024. “Contaminated water is the primary cause of Hepatitis, diarrhea, and other diseases.”
She called for improved monitoring systems and public awareness campaigns to address the crisis.
Criticising the operational inefficiencies of the Capital Development Authority’s (CDA) filtration plants, which suffer from water leakage and inadequate maintenance, she highlighted the role of environmental changes and rapid urban development in exacerbating water scarcity.
Illegal waste dumping and outdated sewage systems are compounding the problem, polluting Islamabad’s drains and nearby water reservoirs. “Polluted drain water is rendering reservoirs unsafe for consumption, creating a severe public health hazard,” she said.
The senator proposed immediate infrastructure upgrades for Islamabad’s water and sewage systems. She stressed the need for strict enforcement of waste management laws to combat illegal dumping. Public awareness campaigns promoting recycling and waste segregation were among her key recommendations to mitigate environmental damage.
Calling for urgent action, she urged authorities to prioritise the protection of public health and prevent further deterioration of water quality.