KHANEWAL

Newly-upgraded water filtration plant in old Sabzi Mandi, Block No-10 has deprived the area residents of potable water facility, revealed a survey conducted by this correspondent.
The up-gradation work of the water filtration plant was completed in collaboration with a multinational company recently. It was inaugurated among others by DCO Khalid Mehmood Sh, ADCG Ashfaq and multinational company HR officer Ch Col (r) Zafar and other officials.
But, the residents of Sabzi Mandi claimed that existing potable water plant capacity is unable to meet demand of the residents. They said that storage capacity of water tank is main factor. They said that the situation has compelled them to consume contaminated water.
According to current situation, the plant remains closed on Friday, in the remaining six days, its time does not match power loadshedding timings. When people rush for fetching water, most of time tank attached with the plant is found empty. The residents are facing problems due to the negligence of authorities concerned.
According to another research report, more than 55 per cent water samples collected from different areas of the city have been found unfit for human consumption.
The report said that condition of the water filtration plants in the city is pathetic. It said that quality of water available at all filtration plants situated in People’s Colony Y-Block, Fire Brigade, Civil Lines near district courts, Jaswant Nagar Chowk, and Colony No-1 is not being monitored.
The residents have criticised the TMA over its apathy for not making out-of-order plants functional.
They claimed that the TMA does not replace filters in time since long, while people have no option but to drink unhygienic water from these plants. Residents complained that the authorities concerned have failed to ensure cleanliness and replacement of the water filters and other necessary gadgets on time. They demanded the district authorities to take corrective measures to avoid spread of any epidemic resulting in human misery in their respective areas due to supply of contaminated water.
Representatives of civil society, traders, religious and political circles said that water filtration plants should be monitored regularly to ensure provision of clean drinking water to the public.