RAWALPINDI: Water filtration plants across the city are supplying muddy and potentially unsafe drinking water because their filters have remained unchanged for an extended period. Despite repeated complaints from residents, no effective action has been taken, raising fears that facilities meant to provide clean drinking water are instead becoming potential sources of waterborne diseases.
Filtration plants muddy water: the worst-hit areas
Plants in Union Council 46, Naya Mohalla, Sadiqabad, Dhoke Ilahi Bakhsh and Dhoke Hasu have drawn the most complaints. Residents report that the plants are supplying water mixed with soil, and the problem has persisted despite numerous complaints to the authorities.
Why the filters go unreplaced
Operators of the filtration plants said their filters had not been replaced for a considerable period because of a lack of funds. The overdue replacements have directly affected water quality.
They added that the tube-wells supplying these plants have seen groundwater levels decline, causing soil to mix with the water. Sources said tube-wells installed across Rawalpindi by the Municipal Corporation, WASA and District Council before 2000 have all experienced falling water levels. Groundwater had not fallen significantly until 2000, but levels have dropped by more than 200 feet between 2001 and 2026, according to the sources.
As a result, old tube-wells are supplying water mixed with soil, while filtration plants connected to them are also providing water of questionable quality because of the declining groundwater levels and overdue filter replacement.
Residents say lab tests show harmful water
Residents Iftikharuddin, Fayyaz Shah, Farhan Hamid and Fayyaz said they had laboratory-tested the water and found it to be highly harmful. Complaints have also been lodged with the Pak Ab Authority, but no action has been taken so far.
WASA hands over 130 plants to new authority
In a related development, the Rawalpindi Water and Sanitation Agency has formally transferred administrative control of 130 water filtration plants across the city to the Punjab Saaf Pani Authority. The authority, which previously operated under Punjab’s Housing Ministry, will now function under the Punjab Local Government Department and will be responsible for the maintenance and upkeep of the 130 plants attached to tube-wells.
Rawalpindi WASA Managing Director Azizullah Khan confirmed the development and said the agency was currently focusing its attention on the Chahan Dam and Dadhocha Dam water-supply projects. He said WASA was also working to install 15 tube-wells along the Expressway after reaching an agreement with the Capital Development Authority.
Khan said the Chahan Dam water-supply project was expected to be completed in 2027 and would provide an additional 17 million gallons of water per day. The Dadhocha Dam water-supply project, expected to add 35 million gallons of water per day for the city and cantonment areas, is scheduled for completion in 2029.
FAQs
Which areas of Rawalpindi are affected by muddy filtration plant water?
Filtration plants in Union Council 46, Naya Mohalla, Sadiqabad, Dhoke Ilahi Bakhsh and Dhoke Hasu have received the most complaints, with residents reporting water mixed with soil.
Why are the filtration plants supplying muddy water?
Operators say filters have not been replaced for a considerable period because of a lack of funds. Declining groundwater levels in old tube-wells are also causing soil to mix with the water supply.
What action have residents taken?
Residents, including Iftikharuddin, Fayyaz Shah, Farhan Hamid and Fayyaz, say they had the water laboratory-tested and found it highly harmful. They have lodged complaints with the Pak Ab Authority, but no action has been taken.
What is being done to fix the problem?
WASA has transferred control of 130 filtration plants to the Punjab Saaf Pani Authority, which will now handle their maintenance. WASA is also pursuing the Chahan Dam and Dadhocha Dam water-supply projects, expected to complete in 2027 and 2029 respectively.
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Originally reported by 247News.
