16% of Islamabad’s filtration plant water is unsafe for consumption

Our Correspondent 

Islamabad: Islamabad’s residents are grappling with a serious public health crisis as contaminated drinking water continues to flow from multiple filtration plants managed by the Capital Development Authority (CDA).

The majority of these plants lack modern filtration systems, putting citizens at risk of consuming unsafe water.

A recent CDA report revealed that 16 percent of water samples from filtration plants were found unsafe for consumption. Despite this alarming discovery, immediate remedial action remains pending, with authorities only planning upgrades in the coming months.

Islamabad has 98 water filtration plants spread across various sectors and model villages, with their management outsourced to five different NGOs.

However, residents from multiple areas have raised concerns about deteriorating water quality, reporting ongoing contamination issues.

“Drinking contaminated water poses serious health risks. The CDA must conduct regular inspections and upgrade these filtration plants immediately,” a resident urged. Another citizen emphasized the urgent need for government intervention, highlighting that clean water shortages are worsening in both Islamabad and Rawalpindi.

Meanwhile, DG Water Management CDA, Sardar Khan Zimri, acknowledged the issue, stating that “two to three percent of test results show the presence of coliform bacteria. Funds have been allocated, and a regular chlorination system will be installed soon. We expect to resolve the issue completely within a few months.”

Experts stress that ensuring safe drinking water requires regular maintenance of filtration plants, timely replacement of cartridge filters, and effective sterilization. With clean water being a fundamental necessity, authorities must act swiftly to prevent the crisis from escalating further.