Only 6.45 percent of the domestic wastewater of the city was being treated that needs to be enhanced by making collective efforts. It was echoed at a seminar held in connection with World Water Day at New Senate Hall. Chairing the session, UAF Vice Chancellor Professor Dr Iqrar Ahmad Khan said that we were facing numerous challenges in term of water issue amid climate changes.
He viewed that one of the major socioeconomic challenges was the mismanagement of water resources. He said that there is no life without water as the water is key to irrigation, food security, economic growth, energy production, industry and human health. He said time is ripe for promoting the rational use of water across the country to save the coming generation. He added that we are not treating industrial waste that is causing the deteriorating situation. He said that water is being pumped out from tube-wells that is lowering the groundwater levels and worsening overall water health. He also suggested pricing water for general public in order to ensure its optimized usage.
Managing Director Water and Sanitation Agency Zahid Aziz said that the city master plan study for next 20 years is being undertaken by JICA under Technical Cooperation. He called for the construction of more treatment plants to cover all wastewater of the city as expected to be proposed in master plan study.
He said that Singapore, Australia, Namibia, and US states such as California, Virginia and New Mexico are already drinking recycled water. He revealed that nearly all small towns in Western Australia and many throughout Australia recycle 100% of their wastewater. In Singapore 30 percent of drinking water comes from recycled wastewater.
He stressed upon the need to conduct research including differentiation between inorganic and organic arsenic, modeling for forecasting arsenic in groundwater, effects of arsenic irrigation water on crops and waste water treatment through low cost-low land use technology. He said the use of recycled water in horticulture and industry, as well as in residential areas has grown considerably over the past decade. Purified wastewater can be safe and clean, and help ease water shortages.
Total wastewater is 310 million gallons per day (MGD) including 200 MGD industrial wastewater and 110 MGD wastewater domestic, out of which only 20 MGD is being treated.
He said that vast majority of all the wastewater from our homes, cities, industry and agriculture flows back to nature without being treated or reused-polluting the environment, and losing valuable nutrients and other recoverable materials.
Dr Jahanzeb Chema said that there is the need to promote the high efficient irrigation methods. The country is blessed with tremendous resources. There is a need of a rational usage of them. Japanese Engineer Harutoshi Uchida, Sohail Naqvi from WWF, Lecturer Haroon Rashid and progressive farmer Manzoor Thakar also spoke on the occasion.
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