More than 600 cases of diarrhea have been reported in twin cities during the last couple of months, most of them caused by the use of contaminated water being supplied by the civic bodies. The presence of hazardous bacteria in the drinking water of Rawalpindi and Islamabad has raised serious concerns among the citizens and about an efficiency of the authorities responsible for the water supply.
On request of anonymity, an official of the NIH confirmed that they have received reports of over 600 acute diarrhea cases in several public sector hospitals in the twin cities over the past few weeks because of the bacterial contamination and the presence of nitrates in the drinking water.
He was of the view that leakage in the water pipeline infrastructure is a major cause of bacterial contamination. He informed this scribe that the water supply infrastructure of the twin cities has become outdated.
According to a study conducted by Pakistan Council of Research in Water Resources (PCRWR), some 75 percent drinking water being supplied to the Capital and 87 percent to Rawalpindi is unfit for human consumption due to bacterial contamination.
Lawmakers have also raised this issue time and again in the National Assembly and Senate.
The National Assembly standing committee on environment has raised serious concerns over reports of possible water contamination in the Rawal Lake, supplying water to Islamabad and Rawalpindi.
When contacted an official of the health ministry, he said that the ministry has already directed both the Capital Development Authority (CDA) and Water and Sanitation Agency (Wasa) to provide clean drinking water to the people.
On the other hand, health experts have advised people to be extra cautious while consuming the water because the contamination could cause fatal diseases like hepatitis and cholera. Using boiled water is the only best solution.
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