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Page 1: IUCN, International Union for Conservation of …waterinfo.net.pk/sites/default/files/knowledge/Quality of Filtered... · IUCN, International Union for Conservation of Nature,
Page 2: IUCN, International Union for Conservation of …waterinfo.net.pk/sites/default/files/knowledge/Quality of Filtered... · IUCN, International Union for Conservation of Nature,

IUCN, International Union for Conservation of Nature, Pakistan

Draft Final – Assessment of Water Quality, Rawalpindi

Disclaimer: The designation of geographical entities in this paper, and the presentation of the material, do not imply the expression of any opinion whatsoever on the part of IUCN concerning the legal status of any country, territory, or area, or of its authorities, or concerning the delimitation of its frontiers or boundaries. The views expressed in this publication do not necessarily reflect those of IUCN. Published by: IUCN Pakistan. Copyright: ©2015 IUCN, International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources. Reproduction of this paper for educational and other non-commercial purposes is authorized without prior permission from the copyright holders, provided the source is fully acknowledged. Reproduction of the publication for resale or for other commercial purposes is prohibited without prior written permission from the copyright holders. Citation: IUCN. 2015. Quality of Filtered Drinking Water in Rawalpindi. IUCN Pakistan, pp 34. Prepared by: Marria Ghalib Farhat Yasmeen Syeda Batool Tazeem Abeer Arshad Facilitation and Monitoring by: Mohammad Irfan uddin Ahmed Resource person: Dr. Shahid Ahmad

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Draft Final – Assessment of Water Quality, Rawalpindi

Table of Contents 1.  CONTEXT ................................................................................................................................ 1 

1.1  Background Information ................................................................................................... 1 1.2  The Problem Statement ................................................................................................... 1 1.3  Purpose of the Study ........................................................................................................ 2 1.4  Scope of the Study ........................................................................................................... 2 1.5  Terms of Reference ......................................................................................................... 2 1.6  Work plan ......................................................................................................................... 3 

2.  METHODOLOGY ..................................................................................................................... 4 2.1  Review of Previous Studies ............................................................................................. 4 2.2  Spatial distribution of filtration units in study area ............................................................ 4 2.3  Selection of Filtration Sites ............................................................................................... 5 2.4  Sample Size and Water Sampling ................................................................................... 5 2.5  Analysis of water samples ................................................................................................ 5 2.6  Users’ response ............................................................................................................... 5 2.7  Data transfer and tabulation ............................................................................................. 6 2.8  Data analysis .................................................................................................................... 6 2.9  Case studies ..................................................................................................................... 6 2.10  Reporting .......................................................................................................................... 6 

3.  CASE STUDIES ....................................................................................................................... 6 3.1  Water supply problems in Rawalpindi city ....................................................................... 6 3.2  Pak- EPA Evaluation of filtration units in Rawalpindi and Islamabad .............................. 7 3.3  AFPGMI Study on nitrite and nitrate concentration in potable water, Rawalpindi ........... 7 3.4  Poor waste management upsets water quality ................................................................ 8 

4.  STUDY FINDINGS ................................................................................................................. 10 4.1  Environment of the Filtration Units (Location, Design, Landscape) ............................... 11 4.2  Users’ Response ............................................................................................................ 13 4.3  Water Quality Assessment ............................................................................................. 18 

4.3.1  pH ........................................................................................................................... 19 4.3.2  Electrical conductivity ............................................................................................. 20 4.3.3  Turbidity .................................................................................................................. 21 4.3.4  Nitrates ................................................................................................................... 22 4.3.5  Total Dissolved Solids ............................................................................................ 23 4.3.6  Chloride .................................................................................................................. 23 4.3.7  Calcium .................................................................................................................. 24 4.3.8  Sulfate .................................................................................................................... 25 4.3.9  Hardness ................................................................................................................ 26 4.3.10  Magnesium ............................................................................................................. 26 4.3.11  Sodium ................................................................................................................... 27 4.3.12  Potassium ............................................................................................................... 27 4.3.13  Microbial Testing .................................................................................................... 28 

4.4  Constraints and issues ................................................................................................... 29 4.5  Options Available ........................................................................................................... 30 4.6  Policy Review and Analysis ........................................................................................... 30 4.7  Vision .............................................................................................................................. 30 4.8  Objectives ....................................................................................................................... 30 4.9  Public Awareness ........................................................................................................... 31 4.10  Institutional Gaps ........................................................................................................... 31 4.11  Capacity Building Needs ................................................................................................ 31 4.12  Awareness and Mass Communication Needs ............................................................... 32 

5.  NEXT STEPS ......................................................................................................................... 32 References .................................................................................................................................... 33 Appendix 1: water quality parameters, units and permissible limits ..................................... 34 

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Draft Final – Assessment Water Quality, Rawalpindi

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Quality of Filtered Drinking Water in Rawalpindi Marria Ghalib1,Farhat Yasmeen2, Syeda Batool Tazeem3, Abeer Arshad4

1. CONTEXT 1.1 Background Information Pakistan is one of the most water stressed country, not far from being water scarce country. Pakistan is one of the most arid countries in the world, having the lowest per capita freshwater supplies in the region. Water being the most vital substances on earth. Water is the substance most essential for human survival. Practically every living cell in the body depends on water to carry out important functions. If there was no water there would be no life on earth. Apart from drinking there are many other uses for water. These include: cooking, washing clothes, cooking, keeping houses and communities clean, recreation. Access to pure drinking water is mostly considered as human right supported by international laws and declarations. It is most important that the water which people drink and use for other purposes is safe i.e. water must be free of germs and chemicals. Unfortunately, now it is almost impossible to find "pure" water in its natural state anywhere on our planet due to its contamination by anthropogenic activities. Water that is safe for drinking is called potable water. Massive part of Pakistan’s population is currently having unsafe and polluted water for drinking. According to an estimate by Pakistan Council of Research and Water Resources (PCRWR), almost 50 percent of urban water supply is inadequate for drinking and personal use.5 Communities have faced diseases which have been spread through by a polluted water supply. One of the reasons this happens less frequently now is that people make sure drinking water supplies are potable. But still masses even lack this awareness. Majority of people get water from municipal water supplies that is untreated and contaminated. The easiest and simplest method for dealing with the contamination is boiling. But this is not continually effective in severely chemical polluted water supplies. If the water is not safe to drink it is treated. All the action taken to make sure that drinking water is potable is called water treatment. This water treatment is done via water filtration units for safe water provision to public. In Rawalpindi more than 200 filtration units are installed for the provision of safe water. The quality and purity of the drinking water is as important as the amount. Even though our local and federal governments make large investments each year to keep our water clean and safe, our water systems still contaminated by various anthropogenic activities and human health is at risk. RDA and CDA have installed filtration plants in twin cities to ensure safe and clean water to public which are not sufficient, or are not working properly.

1.2 The Problem Statement The water quality in very large cities like Rawalpindi is a serious problem of the millennium. And water quality is improved by installing water filtration units all over Rawalpindi. In order to get a glimpse of water quality provided by these filtration units water is monitored before and after entering the filtration plant.

1 Student at Fatima Jinnah Women University, Rawalpindi 2 Student at Fatima Jinnah Women University, Rawalpindi 3 Student at Fatima Jinnah Women University, Rawalpindi 4 Student at Fatima Jinnah Women University, Rawalpindi 5 Kausar, S et al. (2011). Factors Affecting Drinking Water Quality and Human Health at Household Level in Punjab, Pakistan. Pak. j. life soc. Sci., , 33-37

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1.3 Purpose of the Study Purpose of the study is to explore:

Quality of drinking water provided by WASA and other organizations through filtration plants to the residents of Rawalpindi including DHA, Airport Housing Society and Bahria.

Assessment of water samples by biological and physiochemical parameters. Investigation of Users’ satisfaction with the quality of water supplied by filtration plants and

hygienic conditions of plant site through questionnaire based survey. Study incorporated supervision of Senior Water Expert, IUCN Pakistan water Program and

work of Pakistan Council of Research in Water Resources PCRWR providing support in performing tests which ensures validity of the results and conclusions.

1.4 Scope of the Study The study focus on evaluation of quality of drinking water provided by WASA and other organizations through installed filtration plants to the residents of Rawalpindi including DHA and Bahria. The study includes plotting of map of study area and locating the filtration units. The study also include Selection of sample size collection of water for sampling one of the water entering the filtration unit (before filtration) and one after filtration. It is focused on the functioning of administrative body WASA compared with working of other organizations providing potable water. The study used questionnaire based survey to analyze Users’ satisfaction with the quality of water. The study does not cover all filtration units for sampling only 25% of the total. The study does not cover views of all users only 25% of all present between defined time periods.

1.5 Terms of Reference

Prepare the map of Rawalpindi and located the filtration units Selected sample size and explained the methodology The sample size was maximum of 19 filtration units Visited PCRWR Laboratory and get the list of test to be performed and the cost Collected sample bottles from the PCRWR Lab Collected two samples from each of the selected filtration unit. One of the water entering the

filtration unit (before filtration) and one after filtration. The purpose is to check the quality of filtration – before and after

Submitted sample to the selected laboratory obtained analysis results Collected secondary information from net regarding work already done on filtration of drinking

water Pictures of filtration units were taken including the environmental conditions around the filtration

unit Stayed at the filtration unit for 3-4hours and count number of consumers who collected water

and take their interview through questionnaires regarding their satisfaction about quality and how often they collect water and what they feel about improvements required

Described the study methodology including sampling & analysis procedures Joined Pakistan Water Gateway (www.waterinfo.net.pk) and written blogs to document weekly

activities. Report writing and submission

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1.6 Work plan The list of activities and schedule of work plan are presented in the following�Table.��������������

No

Activities

Schedule of implementation of activities

June 2014

July 2014

August 2014 4th

week 1 2 3 4 1 2 3 4

1 Development of Proposal

2 Creation of map and site selection

3 Collection of secondary data

4 Sample collection

5 Sample analysis

6 Evaluation of results

7 Compilation & submission of report

8 Modification & submission of final report

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2. METHODOLOGY

2.1 Review of Previous Studies All the secondary data collected was focused on water filtration units in Rawalpindi. It consist of official reports, case studies, news reports and articles applicable to water purification sites. Majority of the statistics were acquired from working bodies in water sector. Data were acutely examined and considered so as to get an insight of the present situation, which was then unified in the chief study done by questionnaire and water sampling.

2.2 Spatial distribution of filtration units in study area Rawalpindi is fourth largest populous city of Pakistan. It includes number of union councils, some private housing societies as DHA, Bahria and Airport housing society. Safe water is supplied to public by the filtration units installed at different locations in Rawalpindi. Around 200 filtration units (excluding few areas of cantonment due to inaccessibility) are installed in Rawalpindi by the authorities responsible for water provision as WASA, TMA and RDA among which 6 were un-operational in Rawal Town due to water supply problems6.

6 Filtration Plants. (Excel File), WASA.

Figure 1. Spatial distribution of filtration plants in Rawalpindi Source: Retrieved from Google maps on 25-6-2014

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Some of these plants are installed by non-governmental organizations as well as private sector. However filtration units in Rawalpindi are handed over to WASA for the maintenance and monitoring excluding those of housing societies.

2.3 Selection of Filtration Sites Filtration units were selected from all over Rawalpindi to evaluate and assess the present condition and quality of water being supplied by these units. Sampling sites were selected randomly.

2.4 Sample Size and Water Sampling Total of 19 sampling sites were chosen for sampling including 2 filtration units each from DHA and Bahria, 1 from Airport Housing Society and 14 from rest of Rawalpindi.

S. No

Sample identification code Location of filtration plant Pre-

treatment Post-

treatment 1 A1 A2 4B, Sector D, DHA-1 2 B1 B2 Street 12, Safari villas 3 C1 C2 Bahria Phase-3, Street 66 4 D1 D2 Liaquat road opposite Gordon College 5 E1 E2 DAV College Road 6 F1 F2 Sirsyed Avenue, Gulraiz-4 7 G1 G2 Sector B, DHA-1 8 H1 H2 Street 2, Askari 10 9 I1 I2 Askari 4 10 J1 J2 Sector 2, Khyaban-e-Sirsyed 11 K1 K2 Raheemabad Stop, Chaklala 12 L1 L2 A-Block, 6th Road 13 M1 M2 Main Commercial Market 14 N1 N2 D-Block, Satellite Town 15 O1 O2 Ahmadabad Main Road Dhamial Camp 16 P1 P2 Sector-1, Airport Housing Society 17 Q1 Q2 Sector-3, Khyaban-e-Sirsyed 18 R1 R2 Army Public School Dhamial Camp 19 S1 S2 Chaklala Scheme 3, Chaklala Cantt

Water samples from these sites are collected. Each of the sampling site was assigned a code, for instance A1 for inflow of DHA-I, Sector D plant and A2 for its outflow. Samples of water before entering the filtration plant and after leaving filtration plant were taken in sample bottles of 100-500mll for microbiological testing from PCRWR. Along with that samples of both inflow and outflow were also taken in 1.5 liter bottles for chemical testing and other chemical parameters and then conveyed to PCRWR lab within 24 hours. Proper sampling procedure devised by PCRWR was followed.

2.5 Analysis of water samples Water samples were analyzed by the PCRWR laboratory for microbiological and chemical contamination.

2.6 Users’ response On site questionnaire survey was conducted at the sampling site in order to know the consumers’ satisfaction level, improvements, hygienic conditions and other parameters for water quality and supply.

Table 1. Location of sampling site and sample code

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2.7 Data transfer and tabulation Data was collected on the questionnaires which was then transferred to Excel Spreadsheets. In which all the sampling sites where donated with an ID. Data for each question and parameter is added distinctly in discrete cell of the sheet for each site, having respondents in rows and questions in columns. Statistics was symbolized in binary digits (0, 1), for easier calculation and understanding. As all the questions have either choices or were answered as positive or negative. A positive entry of option selected 1 was selected, and a negative entry was designated as 0.

2.8 Data analysis After tabulation and transfer of data it was analysed by the help of calculating frequencies, averages and percentages for the selected questions which are then displayed in graphs and histograms

2.9 Case studies Four case studies have been chosen relevant to the study area. Studies include water supply situation, factor affecting the water quality, filtration units’ evaluation and chemical contamination in water supplies of Rawalpindi. All the studies have been considered and assessed in comprehensive way.

2.10 Reporting Reporting is done after field survey, secondary data evaluation and sample’s analysis results. Report is formulated in complete and detailed manner.

3. CASE STUDIES Water scarcity is becoming a widespread issue in Pakistan as the growing population largely depends on ground water pumping for agriculture and living.7 Particularly in Rawalpindi people depend on ground water or water supply through pipelines from the dams. Currently the dams located near Rawalpindi are Simli dam, Khanpur dam and the Rawal dam located in the federal capital. The water stored by Rawal and Simli dam is then supplied to the residents of Rawalpindi. Residents of twin cities face two-fold crisis of water scarcity and poor water quality. Quality is dropping due to sanitation issues and lack of proper sewage treatment. All of which ultimately falls in Nullah Lai and Sowan River. Ground water recharge by this polluted water is deteriorating water quality. According to study conducted during last few years many efforts have been made to improve the water quality in Rawalpindi but the main defects are persistent since decades. The existing water supply to the residents of the city is inadequate and unsafe due to un-hygienic conditions at reservoirs, leaky joints and pipes, cross flow between old and new pipe lines, pipe network is passing through sewerage drain. In Rawalpindi, bacteriological contamination is observed in almost 61% filtration plants (Pak-EPA study), UV lamps were not replaced on time. Furthermore, Nitrate is an upcoming pollutant in drinking water. Main contributors of this ion are the use of fertilizer, domestic effluents, decayed vegetable and animal matter, industrial discharges and atmospheric wash out. According to a survey by AFPGMI, high nitrate and nitrite content was observed in ground water samples of Rawalpindi. Pakistan has been blessed with abundance of availability of surface and ground water resources but now per capita availability is reduced. Another study reveals that along with supply shortage, quality has also been reduced due to poor waste management. In Rawalpindi, 65% of the city no sewerage system exists, raw sewage is being discharged into street-side drains and storm water drains which ultimately discharges into Lai Nullah. Root causes of this problem are limited coverage of piped sewerage in the city and over flowing of sewage.

3.1 Water supply problems in Rawalpindi city In a case study done by Ch. Naseer Ahmad et al. “Water supply problems in Rawalpindi city”, Proves that in the near future water distribution will be an ever-increasing matter of concern for the administrators of very large cities. In Rawalpindi, high urban growth ,slow urban sector development, lack of resources and insufficient institutional capacity have resulted in uncontrolled urban sprawl, deteriorating urban environments and deficiencies in urban services including water supply, sewerage systems, drainage, solid waste management, and community facilities. The resulting deficiencies particularly affected the urban poor and led to a considerably reduced quality of life; including poor health.

7 Water A Vital Source of Life. UN system in Pakistan.

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According to study conducted the main defects that are persistent since decades in Rawalpindi water supply distribution networks are: un-hygienic conditions at reservoirs, leaky joints and pipes, cross flow between old and new pipe lines, pipe network is passing through sewerage drains, valve location at road crossing and same is used as garbage dumps, backflow from house connections, backflow from non-terminated new installation, faulty jointing mechanism and wrong jointing material.

During last few years many efforts have been made to improve the water quality in Rawalpindi but the quality of water is improved or not is still a question. The existing water supply to the residents of the city is inadequate and unsafe. Most of the distribution lines are passing through sewerage drains which are causing contamination at consumer’s end. Many other factors responsible for contamination are non-existence of legislation on ground water extraction, contamination in filtration plants installed by TMA (Tehsil Municipal Authority), poorly maintained chlorination / disinfection System etc.

Another problem is that people are not willing to pay even a single penny for utilizing water for the household and drinking purposes. Effective revenue recovery mechanism makes financial management of water business more versatile and flexible which in return improves better service delivery to its consumers. To enable sustainable development in the peri-urban areas of fast growing cities, the water resources have to be used carefully and any possible method of water conservation to be taken into account, using suitable methods of reuse and treatment to supply quality sensitive uses.

It is concluded that the whole city is violating the rules and ethics of the drinking water supply network. There is need to restrict the land use regulations especially for water supply sector which will ultimately help to improve the water sustainability and quality. Modern techniques are required to improve the management systems.

3.2 Pak- EPA Evaluation of filtration units in Rawalpindi and Islamabad A case study led by Pak-EPA, Investigation of drinking water quality of water filtration plants installed at Rawalpindi and Islamabad was analysed to get an insight of present condition of filtration plants. Twenty six filtration units from all over Rawalpindi were checked both for biological and chemical contamination. Two plants were having chemical contamination while 14 were bacteriological contaminated. Around 61% of plants monitored were inefficient and hence providing water that is unsafe for human consumption. Among the samples, the highest bacterial count monitored was from commercial market near sewage office. Although examination of the contaminated filtration plant was done after 3 months yet the bacterial contamination of the plants did not improve. In water purification systems, the problems which are causing elevated level of microbiological contamination are: Filters remain in system even after their expiration and studies show that level of bacteria in water that has been passed through improperly maintained filter may be up to 2000 times higher than unfiltered water. And also the UV lamps are not being replaced as per manufacture’s recommendations.

3.3 AFPGMI Study on nitrite and nitrate concentration in potable water, Rawalpindi

A case study performed by Syed Sabahat Kazmi, Sadat Ali Khan named Level of nitrate and nitrite contents in drinking water of selected samples received at AFPGMI, Rawalpindi, evaluated the level of nitrate and nitrite contents in some drinking water samples. As the whole human population needs drinking water for sustaining life, the provision of a safe water supply is a high priority issue for safeguarding the health and well-being of humans. The World Health Organization (WHO) reported that nearly half of the population in developing countries suffers from health problems associated with lack of drinking water or the presence of microbiologically contaminated water. In this study 162 water samples were analysed for their nitrate and nitrite contents. Out of them, ninety one samples were from twin cities i.e. Rawalpindi and Islamabad and most of them were ground waters. It can rightly be said that contamination of drinking water by nitrates is an evolving public health concern since nitrates can undergo endogenous reduction to nitrites, which are potent carcinogens. This reduction process runs relatively fast in the alimentary canal of infants under the age of 6 months, so can lead among infants to the disease called methemoglobinemia (blue baby syndrome). According to

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a National Academy of Science study, the incidents of Blue Baby Syndrome usually occur when nitrate-nitrogen concentrations exceed 11 ppm and when coliform bacteria contamination is also present in the water8. There is a positive association between nitrates in drinking water and non-Hodgkin lymphoma and colorectal cancer, bladder cancer, cancer in the digestive tract, diabetes, and some birth defects and miscarriages. A few recent studies have linked high nitrate to bladder cancer, especially in women. Nitrates were found in most of the water samples ranging from traces to the maximum of 1125 mg/litre. Out of these 162 water samples, 153 (94%) and 133 (82%) samples had nitrate and nitrite contents in varying concentrations, while 64 (40%) and 22 (14%) had nitrate and nitrite concentrations more than Pakistani standards. According to Pakistan Standards, fixed limits of the contents of nitrates and nitrites in drinking water are to 10 mg NO3-/litre and 0.020 mg NO2-/litre.

3.4 Poor waste management upsets water quality Another case study Adverse effects of poor wastewater management Practices on ground water quality in Rawalpindi and Mitigation strategies by Lt. Col. Islam-ul-Haq & W.A. Cheema states that, Pakistan has been blessed with abundance of availability of surface and ground water resources. In spite of this naturally resource enrichment, per capita water availability has decreased. Rawalpindi city, having population of 1.6 million, generates approximately 70 MG of wastewater daily. Presently only 35 % of the total wastewater is being collected by RWASA and remaining 65% of the city where no sewerage system exists, discharges raw sewage into street-side drains and storm water drains which ultimately discharges into Lai Nullah – the main natural drainage channel passing through the city, thus causing alarming environmental hazards for the residents of Rawalpindi. Lai Nullah also carries a large quantity of untreated and a partially treated sewage from Islamabad and cantonment area. Due to the geological sub soil conditions of the sub-surface strata, wastewater flowing in Nullah Lai (main recharge source) easily gets into fissured bed rocks and transport associated contaminants through flow nets into deep aquifer, causing ground water contamination. Over extraction of ground water is exposing upper aquifer, which allows contaminant transport associated with wastewater flowing in open drains and Nullahs and ultimately causing ground water contamination.

8Impacts of High Nitrate Levels. Retrieved August 5, 2014, from http://www.co.portage.wi.us/groundwater/undrstnd/no3impct.htm

0

200

400

600

800

1000

1200

10 19.7 0

1125

91

Concenteration m

g/l

Nitrites in Drinking water Samples

0

0.1

0.2

0.3

0.4

0.5

0.6

0.7

0.8

0.9

1

0.02

0.3

0

1

0.14Concentration m

g/l

Nitrates in Drinking water Samples

Graph 1. Graphical representation of the concentration of Nitrates in drinking water samples.

Graph 2. Graphical representation of the concentration of Nitrites in drinking water samples.

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The main problems associated with poor wastewater management are: Limited coverage of piped sewerage in the city, over flowing of sewage in and around streets due to undersize existing sewerage lines i.e., some of the sewerage schemes completed in the past in high income areas of the city, including satellite town and Khyaban-e-Sirsyed. The major cause of bacterial contamination of ground water is due to Nullah Lai which carries 120 MGD wastewater of twin cities of Islamabad and Rawalpindi. All the tube wells installed near Nullah Lai are producing contaminated water. Due to the puncturing of impervious rock from various locations, the bacteria can find easy route to the clear water aquifer, which is causing ground water contamination. Owing to waste water recharge mechanism the contamination level both at source and at consumer’s end has amplified beyond the acceptable limits. Graph 3 clearly shows the elevation in contamination level due to waste water or sewage mixing with drinking water as the contamination is higher at consumer’s end. Therefore, recent analysis of 220 tube wells has shown that all most 50 % of the 220 tube wells have shown bacterial contamination in the year 2007 against 33 % contamination in the year 2003/2004. Hence after detailed situational analysis, the only viable solution to protect the ground water source of Rawalpindi is termination of subsoil seepage and infiltration of contaminated water from Lai Nullah and other streams by proper lining of secondary streams and constructing a box channel intercepting the dry weather flow which will act as a dry weather sewer for safe disposal of sewage generated from Rawalpindi and Islamabad.

0%

20%

40%

60%

80%

2004 2006 2007Percentage

 Contamination

Year of Survey

Bacterialcontamination‐ GroundwatervsConsumerEnd

Ground Water Contamination Consumer End Contamination

Graph 3. Comparison between bacterial contamination- source v/s consumer’s ends

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4. STUDY FINDINGS

Figure 2. Map of DHA-I Source: Retrieved from Google maps on 23-06-2014

Figure 3. Map showing Bahria and Gulraiz (Highlighted areas) Source: Retrieved from Google maps on 23-06-2014

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4.1 Environment of the Filtration Units (Location, Design, Landscape) Nineteen filtration units were selected from all over Rawalpindi. Two plants from DHA (sector B and D) were quite well maintained, neat and had excellent environmental conditions. And are maintained by the DHA authorities. Purification unit at Sector-B was having its input by overhead water tank.

Two plants were selected from Bahria, one is in phase-3, Street 66 near Mughal Park. This Filtration unit of phase-3 gets tube well water as inflow Filtration units from Bahria were also well maintained and hygienic. Both plants of Phase-3 and Safari villas were in very good condition having new and spotless filters apparently. Four filtration plants being visited from these two private housing societies, all having worthy background. These plants are maintained by Bahria’s own Water supply authorities. Filtration units installed by WASA at Liaquat road and DAV college road were miserable. Plant at Liaquat road is near WASA and TMA’s office. Both of them were very unhygienic and algae growth can be seen at the floor of collection site. Plant at Liaquat road is prone to more dust as it is situated along roadside. Filtration plants from Askari 4 and 10 were in a very good condition. Clean taps are there and all functional. These plants are maintained by Askari’s Authorities and are taken good care of. Gulraiz filtration unit is located at Sir Syed Avenue and was neat and clean visually but people had complained about smell in water provided. Another plant located at Raheemabad stop near airport flyover is having worst environmental conditions it had a sewage nullah flowing in front of the filtration site. Water collection area was somewhat muddy and unhygienic. Waste water was flowing alongside the water inflow pipeline.

Figure 5. Waste water flowing along inflow line and in front of Raheemabad filtration plant Source: Personal Photography

Figure 4. DAV College Road algae growth at floor and waste water near plant site Source: Personal Photography

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Khyaban-e-Sir Syed’s Sector-2 plant was also very unclean, muddy, filthy and not properly taken care of. Taps were missing and plastic bags were wrapped around pipe to prevent water leakage. While that of Sector-3 was relatively better. But, it was on main road and collection area was liable to dust and pollution. Filtration plant at airport housing society sector-1 is situated near children’s park. Its inflow is basically a tube well’s water which is supplied to filter by water tankers and bowsers. At filtration site water is collected in an underground cemented tank. Filter draws water through it and supplies to public. It had a waste water flowing in front of it. Two plants from Dhamial camp one in army’s area and one at main Ahmad Abad road. Both of them were very decent condition compared to other plants visited. Although floor was quite untidy but better than rest of the plants monitored. Three plants were selected from satellite town A-Block, Main Commercial Market and D-Block. Plant at 6th road A-Block was having waste piles around it giving filthy smell and flies all around. Taps on one side of plant are also broken. Chaklala scheme-3 filtration plant was having intermediate state among all 19 plants yet the residents of area still feel that water provided by the plant has some odour and is inconsumable. It is under control of Chaklala Cantonment. The authorities responsible said, we change it after every 3 months. However, the problem is still there.

Figure 7. Sewage nullah in front of plant at Airport Housing Society Source: Personal Photography

Figure 6. Broken taps at Khyaban e Sir Syed, Sector-2 Plant, Covered to prevent leakage Source: Personal Photography

Figure 8. Open garbage pile and broken taps of filtration unit at A-Block, 6th road

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4.2 Users’ Response The questionnaire based survey carried out in city Rawalpindi through semi structured interviews of individuals collecting filtered water from drinking water filtration unit. This survey yields high quality data, which give reader actionable insight into consumer of this filtered water satisfaction levels. This consumer feedback survey was formulated by accessing a higher volume of responses by a representative sample in order to get accurate results, by getting as many of participants responses as possible. Representative sample is one that accurately reflects the members of an entire population which was 25% of all users collecting water from the plants in between a defined time period. Survey was made easy to respond to actually supplement consumers’ opinion. Participants were relaxed, at-ease, and willing to put more effort into their responses. Consumer feedback to each question of the survey is analyzed to get respective average percentages and presented in the most usable and readable way. Following table represent Locations of drinking water filtration plants where consumer feedback surveys were taken. Table 2 represents housing colonies including their sectors and other locations of city Rawalpindi.

Location of drinking water filtration plant and number of respondents Housing Colony/ Sector/ Other Number of respondents

Gulraiz, Phase-4 4

Liaquat Road 1

DAV College Road 1

Chaklala, Scheme 3 1

Raheemabad stop 1

Khyaban-e-Sirsyed 3

Askari 5

Satellite Town 9

Airport Housing Colony 3

Ahmad Abad 3

Dhamial Camp 2

DHA, Sector-B 3

DHA, Sector-D 3

Bahria-3 3

Safari Villas 3 Table 2. Locations of drinking water filtration plants selected for consumer feedback surveys

Graph 4. The controlling authorities of filtration plants under survey

0%

10%

20%

30%

40%

50%

60%

CDA TMA WASA HousingSocities

%Age Of Sampled Plants

Controlling Authorities

Controlling Authorities Of Sampled Filtration Units

CDA

TMA

WASA

Housing Socities

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Graph 4 represents the controlling authorities of filtration plants under survey approximately 45% of the filtration plants were installed by WASA and approximately 55% were installed by other authorities which are chiefly the management authorities of housing societies as Bahria, DHA, Chaklala cantonment and Airport housing scheme. Each having 2000 Gallons/ Day for plants installed by WASA and TMA.

Despite of the maintenance problems, most of the residents believe that water supplied to them is safe and healthy so, they do not use any further treatment to enhance the quality. 81% consumers of filtered water are ensured enough and consume water without treatment. The 19% of consumers who further purify filtered water use boiling as treatment method because boiling is the cheapest measure to improve water quality at household level and almost everyone can adopt it (Graph 5, 6). Respondents were asked to identify the source of water supply in their houses in order to make a link with dissatisfaction with the tap water. In the graph approximately 61% of the respondents were receiving water supply from government through pipelines, 28 % were getting tap water from tube wells. Three percent had wells as their supply source and 8% had no water supply source hence buying water tankers. (Graph 7).

Graph 7. Water supply source in respondents’ residence

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

percentage

 of available source

Water Supply Source

WaterSupplySourcesAtRespondent'sHousehold

Pipeline

Tubewell

Well

Tanker

0

20

40

60

80

100

% of respondents

Method of treatment

Methodstofurtherpurifythefilteredwater

boiling none

Graph 6. Consumers’ method to further purify the filtered water

0

20

40

60

80

100

Consumption Without Treatment

% of Respondents

Consumptionwithouttreatment

Yes No

Graph 5 Consumption of filtered water subsequent to treatment consumption of filtered water subsequent to treatment

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Nearly 90% of the respondents prefer using filtered water as they think it is safer than tap water and elected better quality as a reason of their preference of filtered water. While remaining 10% were having water shortage problems at household. So, their reason for using filtered water is supply shortage rather than quality. In Rawalpindi, almost every individual is routine users of filtered water i.e. they use filtered water only for drinking purposes. This implies they are apparently satisfied with quality of filtered water and assured with safety of water for them and their family.

Graph 9. Satisfaction level with taste, colour and odour of the filtered water

According to survey conducted approximately 80% of the respondents are satisfied with odour of the filtered water and 58% are satisfied with taste and colour of the filtered water. 32% of the consumers use some type of transportation to collect water from filtration plants (Motorbikes majorly). There is no surcharge or cost of filtered water itself and users didn’t identify any other cause of cost associated with filtered water collection (Graph 10).

Graph 8. Reason of preference of filter water over Tap water

0%

20%

40%

60%

80%

100%

Quality OthersPercan

etage

 of Respondents

Reason of preference

Why user prefer filter water instead of tap water

Quality Other

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

80

90

Smell Taste Color

% of respondents

Parameters

UserSatisfaction:Qualityofwater

Satisfied

Not Satisfied

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The plotted graph (Graph 11) depicts that approximately 45% of respondents agreed that there is water shortage during summer seasons while 55% disagree with the statement. This is in fact the supply shortage. There may be a possibility that some of the areas receive open access to filtered water while others have restricted access. When respondents were asked to give their reviews about the hygienic conditions of the plant site ~52% of respondents are satisfied with hygienic conditions while ~48% are dissatisfied with hygienic conditions of plant site.

Since most of the filtered water consumers belong to middle class cost is the main issues to nearly 83% of the respondents (Graph 13). Study findings reveal that socio-economic status influences the choice between filtered and mineral water. While rest of 17% of sample are having easier access to filtered water than mineral water.

0%10%20%30%40%50%60%70%

% of Respondents

Cost to bear for filtered water

Cost to bear in obtaining filtered water

Graph 10. Cost to bear in obtaining filtered water

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

Yes No

% of Respondents

Responses

User Satisfaction: water shortage in summer

Graph 11. Users’ facing shortage of water in summer season

0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60%

Yes

No

% of Respondents

Responses

User Satisfaction: Hygienic conditions of filtration plant site

Graph 12. Consumer contentment with hygienic conditions of filtration plant site.

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Graph 13. Reason for preference of filter water over mineral water

Majority of respondents i.e. 81% never reported any dissatisfaction with filtration plant water quality or hygienic conditions of the plant site. Although they have problems with the taste and odour in water yet the majority has never complained concerned authorities for questionable quality of water supplied (Graph 14).

Graph 14. Report for dissatisfaction with filtration plant or site

Water quality surely has harmful impact on human health by causing different diseases as Diarrhea, Hepatitis etc. However among the sample 90% of responds never faced any water borne disease due to consumption of filtered water while those who faced mainly complained about stomach problems, flu and fever.

0.00%

10.00%

20.00%

30.00%

40.00%

50.00%

60.00%

70.00%

80.00%

90.00%

Problem Reporting

% of Respondents

UserSatisfaction:ReporttoCDA/WASA

No Yes

0%

10%

20%

30%

40%

50%

60%

70%

80%

90%

Cost Others

% of Respondents

Reasons

User Consumption Pattern: not using mineral water

Cost

Others

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Graph 15. Rate of water borne diseases in consumers of filtered water Respondents were asked to give any suggestion regarding improvement of filtered water quality ~90% suggested that authorities should regularly maintain the filter plants while some suggested better treatment approaches and some didn’t respond. Mainstream of residents and consumers ~90% suggested that authorities should maintain hygienic conditions of the filter plants while some suggested changing of tabs and some didn’t respond. Through analysis of respondents’ feedback it can be assumed that most of the respondents are satisfied with filtration plants yet proclaim for improvements.

4.3 Water Quality Assessment

The quality of water, whether used for drinking, domestic purposes, food production or recreational purposes has an important impact on health. Water of poor quality can cause disease outbreaks and it can contribute to background rates of disease manifesting themselves on different time scales (WHO’s Water Quality and Health Strategy 2013- 2020).

To ensure good quality water provision several microbial and physio-chemical parameters need to be within permissible limits either by world health organization or PSQCA. Water quality was also assessed for all of nineteen filtration sites by the help of PCRWR laboratory. Different physio-chemical parameters including: color, E.C, PH, turbidity, alkalinity, bicarbonate, calcium, carbonate, chloride, hardness, magnesium, potassium, sodium, sulphate, nitrate (N), TDS were tested.

0%

10%

20%

30%

40%

50%

60%

70%

80%

90%

100%

Yes No

% of Respondents

Responses

Water-Borne Diseases Due to Filtered Water

Yes

No

Graph 16. Areas of improvement in water quality

Graph 17. Areas of improvement in filtration plant site

0%

20%

40%

60%

80%

100%

RegularMaintinance

Others

% of Respondents

Suggestions for Improvement

User Suggestion for Water Quality improvement

0%

20%

40%

60%

80%

100%

Cleanliness Others

% of Respondents

Suggestions for Improvement

User Suggestion: Plant Site

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4.3.1 pH

The pH values of analyzed water samples from filtration units ranged from 6.77 to 7.88. There is no health standard but the pH values from 7.5 to 8.3 are considered ideal.9 Highest value is from the post treated water of Ahmad Abad filtration unit. Graph 15 shows the pre and post- treatment values for pH which reveals that almost 58% of sampled units have increased pH as compared to the pre- treated water.

9 Pak-EPA. (2005). Investigation of drinking water quality of water filtration plants installed at Rawalpindi and Islamabad

6.2

6.4

6.6

6.8

7

7.2

7.4

7.6

7.8

8

pH

Location of Plant

Comparison of pH  Values of Pre & Post‐Treatment Water Samples

Pre‐Treatment Post‐Treatment Permissible Limit

Graph 18. Comparison of pH values of water before and after filtration

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4.3.2 Electrical conductivity

Electrical conductivity (EC) of samples varied from 397 to 1340 µS/cm. Minimum value is recorded from filtration plant of Ahmadabad main road Dhamial camp and maximum (1340 µS/cm) from the filtered water of Safari Villas, Bahria. There is no health standard for EC. But, if the electrical conductivity values are much greater than hardness than it may indicate the presence of contaminants as sodium, chloride, nitrate and sulphates. Changes in conductivity over time may indicate changing water quality.10

10 Pak-EPA. Case Study (2005)

0

200

400

600

800

1000

1200

1400

1600

Ahmadabad

 Rd.

APS Dham

ial Cam

p

Commercial M

arket

Schem

e‐3

AEC

HS

DAV College Rd.

A‐Block, 6

 Rd.

Bahria‐3

D‐Block, Satellite Town

Raheemabad

 Stop

Khayban

 e Sirsyed

 2

DHA‐I, Sec B

DHA‐I, Sec D

Askari 4

Askari 10

Liaquat Rd.

Khayban

 e Sirsyed

 3

Safari Villas

Gulraiz‐4

EC (µS/cm)

Location of Filtration Plant

Comparison of EC Values of Pre & Post‐Treatment Water Samples

EC Pre‐Treatment

EC Post‐Treatment

EC Permissible Limit 400μS/cm at 20°C

Graph 19. Comparison of EC values of water before and after filtration

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4.3.3 Turbidity

Turbidity is the measure of relative clarity of a liquid. It is an optical characteristic of water. It may be due to clay, silt, finely divided inorganic and organic matter, algae, soluble colored organic compounds, and plankton and other microscopic organisms. Turbidity of the 68% pre-treated water samples and 78% of post-treated samples were more turbid than permissible limit i.e. >5. 15% plants gave lesser values for turbidity than inflow water. Table 3 represents of turbidity values of collected samples. Excessive turbidity, or cloudiness, in drinking water is aesthetically disagreeable, and may also represent a health concern. Turbidity can provide food and shelter for pathogens. If not removed, turbidity can encourage regrowth of pathogens in the distribution arrangement, leading to waterborne disease epidemics.11

Turbidity

Location Pre-Treatment Post-

Treatment Permissible Limit (NTU)

DHA-I, Sec D >5.0 >5.0 <5

Safari Villas >5.0 >5.0 <5

Bahria-3 >5.0 >5.0 <5

Liaquat Road >5.0 >5.0 <5

DAV College Road >5.0 >5.0 <5

Gulraiz-4 1.98 0.31 <5

DHA-I, Sec B >5.0 >0.5 <5

Askari 10 >5.0 >0.5 <5

Askari 4 >5.0 >0.5 <5

Khyaban e Sirsyed 2 0.42 >0.5 <5

Raheemabad Stop >5.0 >0.5 <5

A-Block, 6 Road >5.0 >0.5 <5

Commercial Market >5.0 >0.5 <5

D-Block, Satellite Town >5.0 >0.5 <5

Ahmadabad Road 0.31 0.22 <5

AECHS 4.46 >5.0 <5

Khyaban e Sirsyed 3 >5.0 >5.0 <5

APS Dhamial Camp 3.72 0.66 <5

Scheme-3 1.08 1.4 <5

11 Turbidity. In Water Resources of the United States: U.S. Geological Survey. Retrieved August 8, 2014, from http://water.usgs.gov/edu/turbidity.html

Table 3. Comparison of turbidity values of water before and after filtration

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4.3.4 Nitrates Among all the parameters observed nitrates were in objectionable amount. Nitrate level of water samples from Rawalpindi’s filtration units varied from 1 to 13 ppm. The acceptable limit of nitrates is 10ppm. 12 The maximum concentration of 13 ppm was found in inflow of water filtration plant from Safari Villas but after filtration this level drops to 4ppm. Which means that the filtration plants users are having safe water at filtration site than water supply at their homes. Whereas the second highest and more dangerous nitrate level for human consumption was recorded from outflow of filtration unit at Liaquat road near WASA office. Another important aspect is that the water supplied to plant is also having the same concentration of nitrate. The filtration unit is of no use. Overall, almost 47% of sampled filtration units are delivering water that has same nitrate level as before filtration. While 52% are providing water with lowered levels as compared to inflow.

Graph 20 represents the level of nitrates in sampled water prior to filtration. Three samples of Bahria, Liaquat road and Gulraiz are having higher values than permissible limits i.e. 13, 12 and 12 ppm respectively.

12 Pakistan standard specification for bottled drinking water 3rd Edition. PSQCA

0

2

4

6

8

10

12

14

Concenteration ppm

Location of Filtration Unit

Comparison of Nitrtaes in Inflow & Outflow Water Samples

Pre‐Treatment Post‐Treatment Permissible Limit

Graph 20. Nitrate level in water samples before & after filtration

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4.3.5 Total Dissolved Solids

Total dissolved solids concentration varied from 218 to 804 ppm. In water filtration units this parameter indicates either the unit is working properly or deionization resins need to be charged. Lowest value was recorded from water sample of Ahmadabad road filtration plant (after filtration. And the highest is from the filtered water from the filtration unit of Safari Villas. But as the permissible limit is 1000 ppm so all the samples collected were safe for human consumption. Higher concentrations can cause gastro-intestinal irritation.

4.3.6 Chloride

Chloride concentration in water samples from filtration plants of Rawalpindi ranges from 20 to 84 ppm. The optimum level of chloride is 250mg/l. All the samples are well within permissible limits. But majority of samples were having higher Chloride content after filtration.

0

200

400

600

800

1000

1200

Ahmadabad

 Rd.

APS Dham

ial Cam

p

Commercial M

arket

Schem

e‐3

AEC

HS

DAV College Rd.

A‐Block, 6

 Rd.

Bahria‐3

D‐Block, Satellite…

Raheemabad

 Stop

Khayban

 e Sirsyed

 2

DHA‐I, Sec B

DHA‐I, Sec D

Askari 4

Askari 10

Liaquat Rd.

Khayban

 e Sirsyed

 3

Safari Villas

Gulraiz‐4

TDS (ppm)

Location of Unit

Comparison of TDS in Inflow & Outflow Water Samples

Pre‐Treatment Post‐Treatment Permissible Limit

Graph 21. Comparison of TDS Values among filtration Units before & after Filtration

0

50

100

150

200

250

300

Concenteration (ppm)

Location of Unit

Comparison of Chloride Concenteration in Water Samples

Pre‐Treatment Post‐Treatment Permissible Limit

Graph 22. Comparison of Chloride Values among filtration Units before & after Filtration

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4.3.7 Calcium Calcium contributes to the Total Hardness (TH) of water. Hardness is defined by the amount of Mg2+ and Ca2+ ions in a given amount of water. The presence of calcium ions poses no health hazard but water hardness is of particular concern because the reaction of these ions with soap (sodium salt of a large fatty acid) produces an insoluble product. Calcium can be determined directly by titration, with EDTA (ethylenediaminetetra acetic acid) and an indicator (calcon carboxylic) is used that combines with calcium. The hardness of water can be reported in milligrams per liter (mg/l) or parts per million (ppm). Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) provided standards of calcium hardness in the drinking water, which are as follows: In the observed samples the lowest value of Calcium is 41mg/l falling in the category of slightly hard while highest value is 161mg/l falling in the category of hard water. However values are below the quantities where water is considered as contaminated.

Classification mg/l or ppm

Soft 0 - 17.1

Slightly hard 17.1 - 60

Moderately hard 60 - 120

Hard 120 - 180

Very Hard 180 & over

Graph 23. Comparison of Calcium ions among filtration Units before & after filtration

020406080100120140160180

Concenteration (ppm)

Location of Unit

Comparison of Calcium Concenteration in Water Samples

Pre‐Treatment Post‐Treatment Permissible Limit

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4.3.8 Sulfate Sulfate ions (SO4

2-) are widely distributed in nature and are a major anion of potable waters. Sulfate ions (SO4

2-) react with barium ions (barium chloride BaCl2) in hydrochloric acid (HCl) medium to form slightly soluble barium sulfate (BaSO4). The resulting turbidity is determined photo metrically at 525 nm. Sulfate concentration values are expressed in mg/l without decimals. Higher concentrations cause problem of odour and corrosion due to its reduction to H2S. Consumption of elevated level of sulphate produces laxative-like effects. In the given samples the lowest value of Sulfate is 14 while highest value is 92 falling in the category of hard water. Almost 73% of filtration units were delivering water with enhanced concentrations of sulphate ions as compared to pre-treated water. The highest allowable value of sulfate in potable water is 250 mg\L hence values are below the quantities where water is considered as contaminated.

Graph 24. Comparison of sulphate ions among Units before & after Filtration

0

50

100

150

200

250

300

Concenteration (ppm)

Location of unit

Comparison Of Sulphate Ions In Pre & Post-treated Water Samples

Pre‐Treatment Post‐Treatment Permissible Limit

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4.3.9 Hardness Total hardness observed among sampled water fluctuates from 182 to 482. Lowest value is recorded from the water delivered by Airport Housing Society’s filtration unit and highest is recorded from filtered water of Army Public School Dhamial Camp.

4.3.10 Magnesium Magnesium is one more parameter observed for the water quality whose permissible limit is 50ppm. The collected samples fall in the range of 4 to 41 ppm, lowest from filtration unit of Ahmad Abad and highest was observed from treated water of Safari Villas. All the samples observed were below standard limit but, 63% of sampled units showed enhanced concentration of magnesium ions whereas 26% were providing water with lowered values of magnesium as compared to untreated water. Rest 10% of sampled units had no changed among the untreated and treated magnesium ion concentration.

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

Ahmadabad

 Rd.

APS Dham

ial Cam

p

Khayban

 e Sirsyed

 2

Khayban

 e Sirsyed

 3

A‐Block, 6

 Rd.

Raheemabad

 Stop

Safari Villas

Liaquat Rd.

DHA‐I, Sec D

Commercial M

arket

Schem

e‐3

Bahria‐3

Askari 10

AEC

HS

Gulraiz‐4

DHA‐I, Sec B

DAV College Rd.

D‐Block, Satellite Town

Askari 4

Concenteration (ppm)

Location of Filtration Unit

Magnesium Concenteration Among Different Filtration Units

Pre‐Treatment

Post‐Treatment

Permissible Limit

0

100

200

300

400

500

600

Hardness (ppm)

Location of Plant

Hardness Values For Pre & Post‐ Treated Water Samples

Pre‐Treatment Post‐Treatment Permissible Limit

Graph 25. Comparison of Hardness among filtration units before & after Filtration

Graph 26. Comparison of magnesium ions among filtration units before & after

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4.3.11 Sodium Sodium is also monitored for desirable quality of water. The maximum permissible limit for sodium is 50ppm. Samples collected showed remarkable variation among all the parameters observed, ranging from 10 to 130ppm. 31% sampled units can be categorized as hazardous concentration providers i.e. >50ppm. 5% were marginal having concentration of 50ppm before and after treatment. Rest of the plants (63%) were below the standard limits but the treated water either had the same or higher concentration before and after treatment.

4.3.12 Potassium Potassium observed in water samples alters between a very narrow ranges i.e. 0.8-2 ppm. Around 31% filtration plants have higher concentration of potassium after filtration. But overall these concentrations lie below the permissible level (10ppm).

020406080100120140

Sodium (ppm)

Location of Filtration Unit

Concenteration Of Sodium In Treated & Untreated Water Samples

Pre‐Treatment Post‐Treatment Permissible Limit

0

2

4

6

8

10

12

Potassium (ppm)

Locations

Concenteration Of Potassium In Treated & Untreated Water Samples

Pre‐Treatment Post‐Treatment Permissible Limit

Graph 27. Comparison of Sodium among filtration units before & after Filtration

Graph 28. Comparison of Potassium among filtration units before & after Filtration

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4.3.13 Microbial Testing Water filtration units installed by WASA, TMA or any other authority they are essentially equipped with UV disinfection systems. Microbial testing was done to check whether E.coli, Faecal Coliforms and Total Coliforms are present or not. Total coliform bacteria are a collection of relatively harmless micro-organisms that live in large numbers in the digestive systems and intestines of human beings and animals. If a water supply is found to contain coliform bacteria it may be contaminated by sewage or manure, and there is a risk of exposure to water-borne disease13. E.coli can cause a variety of syndromes and is notoriously responsible for diarrheal episodes. According to WHO guidelines, the E coli and faecal coliform bacteria must not be detectable in any 100ml sample of all water intended for drinking. Total coliforms were observed in five samples. Two in pre-treated water and three in post-treated samples. Pre-treated samples of Gulraiz-4 and D-Block, Satellite Town had the Coliform count of 26 and 12 respectively. Whereas, in pre-treated water from filtration unit of AECHS total coliforms count was found to be 2 which escalated to 240 the highest level documented in all samples (Graph 29 & clearly illustrates this increase). Total Coliforms count 26 was also detected in post-treated water from Bahria Phase-3 filtration unit and another from Khyaban-e- Sirsyed Sector 2 site having bacterial count 6.Fecal Coliforms and E.coli were found to be absent in all water samples witnessed. All the samples were negative for both microorganisms.

Total number of filtration units

Chemical contamination

Microbial contamination

Total number of inefficient plants

% of ineffective plants

19 1 3 4 21

For all the parameters observed, 21% of the sampled units are incompetent i.e. unable to remove chemical and bacteriological contaminants which is clearly reflected in table 4.

13 Pak-EPA, National Standards for Drinking Water Quality (NSDWQ), 2008

0

50

100

150

200

250

300

Total Coliform

s

Location of Filtration Unit

Total Coliform Count In Treated & Untreated Water Samples

Pre‐Treatment Post‐Treatment Permissible Limit

Graph 29. Total Coliforms in Pre-treated & Post- Treated Water samples From Rawalpindi Filtration Units

Table 4. Water Filtration Plants Efficiency

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4.4 Constraints and issues Constraints regarding the survey done are: the Population area was quite large and covered 233 filtration plants. Such large number cannot be analysed and monitored. So, only 19 plants were selected to be sampled. Rapid population expansion, slow pace of urban sector development, unavailability of resources and inadequate institutional capacity leading to uncontrolled urban sprawl consequently resulted in deficiencies in basic services like water supply, sewerage systems, drainage, solid waste management and community facilities. Filtration units, which were installed in well-developed and newly build housing societies like Bahria town, DHA and safari villa, faced less problems as compared to the filtration units located in the areas of interior Rawalpindi (Liaquat road, Dhamial camp, Lalkurti etc.). For illustration, the very posh residency area Bahria town is also facing some problems regarding water provision by filtration plants. No doubt the quality of water supplied is good but residents have complained that during rainy season color of water changes. Sometimes, they find tiny specks in drinking water that has been taken from filtration plants located in their localities. Frequently quantity of drinking water also decreased due to leakage problems. Water management in these developed societies is more refined and sophisticated and is in better condition. Moreover, water supply agencies clean these plants on regular basis to ensure water hygiene. In 2009 Water and Sanitation Authority (WASA) and the City District Government had decided to alter all the water filtration plants after receiving complaints of dirty and contaminated water in supply lines from citizens. However improvements are hard to find, one of the reasons may be the non-vigilant attitude of users like leaving taps open and unattended, using purified water for washing purposes and stealing of tap etc. It is quite alarming that in some water filtration plants, there are no taps, the floor is filthy and not properly cleaned. Thus, it appeared that cleanliness as well as maintenance of these filtration plants is being totally neglected by the concerned authorities. Most of the taps are broken or covered with rust. The entire physical condition of the plants gives an unpleasant impression. Consumers were not satisfied regarding quality of water from the filtration plant. They preferred water from tube well instead of water from filtration plants. Capacity of some of the filtration plants does not meet the daily requirements of the consumers. There is only one filtration unit in Ahmadabad and residents are complaining that the water flow from taps is very slow and they had to wait for three to four hours to get water. WASA and other management authorities seem least interested in improving the capacity of the filtration unit. There are some leakages in the inflow pipe of filtration plant of Liaquat road. WASA is not paying any attention to this issue. Inhabitation of algae and fungi is another serious issue that can lead to the spreading of deadly viruses like malaria and dengue. Social issues faced were that: people throw bottles and broken articles and wrappers at the plant site. Even in the well-maintained plants like of DHA this situation was observed.

Figure 9. Bottles and articles thrown at filtration plant in DHA (left) and Gulraiz (Right) Source: Personal Photography

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Chief issues are there due to negligence of concerned authorities. And are deteriorating the health of the citizens. For instance, Inhabitants of airport Housing Society are satisfied with the quality of drinking water, only problem is the deficient water supply for domestic purposes. The main reason is the breakage of pipelines, rusting of old pipelines and mixing of sewerage system with water supply pipeline. Authorities are just keeping their eyes closed.

4.5 Options Available All these concerns and complications can be addressed. All that is need is sincere, honest working bodies and responsible, conscious citizens. Options that are available are:

a. Replacement of water filters as per manufactures’ recommendations b. People should close taps when container is not under the tap, waste should be thrown in

designated containers not at the plant site c. WASA and RDA maintain both water supply and waste. And maintenance of water pipeline is

very important to avoid mixing of waste and drinking water. d. Citizens suggested that more filtration units are required in a locality of larger individuals,

efficient and increased number of taps are needed to reduce the load on the unit. e. Newer technologies can help to overcome all of these problems. f. Hygienic conditions at the plant site and its surroundings should be maintained regularly.

Replacements and maintenance of Ultraviolet Lamps should be carried out in time for continuous supply of safe drinking water.

4.6 Policy Review and Analysis

Many policies have been formulated on national and provincial level to ensure the availability of safe and pure drinking water for the citizens of Pakistan. One of which is Punjab Drinking Water Policy The “Punjab Drinking Water Policy” provides guiding principles under which the efforts of provincial and local authorities shall be planned and coordinated. To keep the policy framework in line with the aims of the Federal Government, the Government of Punjab has adopted the key principles outlined in the National Drinking Water Policy of 2009.

4.7 Vision The vision of the Government of the Punjab is provision of safe drinking water of an adequate quantity at an affordable cost through equitable, efficient and sustainable services to all citizens by 2020. In order to translate this vision into reality, the Government of Punjab shall introduce measures to ensure sector reforms, political consensus, judicious need based resource allocations and effective stakeholder / community partnerships. A Provincial Drinking Water Policy Implementation Committee has been notified after the approval of the Policy, which will be chaired by Minister Planning & Development Department. 4.8 Objectives Few objectives of the policy to achieve the vision include:

1. Improving the standards of the public health through provision of improved services backed up by a legal, regulatory and binding framework.

2. Laying down a roadmap for mobilization of the resources required to ensure provision of drinking water to all by the target timeline, assigning a priority to unserved and under-served areas of Punjab.

3. Ensure protection and conservation of water resources. 4. Serving basis for the development of sector strategies, both for urban and rural water sector,

to translate policy principles into action.

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4.9 Public Awareness

One of the most encouraging feature of this Policy is making the masses aware of water quality and efficient and sustainable use. It is aimed at creating a future in which all citizens of the Punjab are provided with clean drinking water and in which water resources of the Province are safe from over mining, contamination and depletion. This is only possible if the user is made a part of the planning process, the execution of schemes and their maintenance. Unless and until the common man is aware of his responsibilities towards proper use of water and saving the collective resource from misuse and contamination, this target cannot be achieved. The Government will launch major awareness programs through the media, NGOs, community networks and the educational institutions to create awareness about water and our responsibilities. It is this awareness that will ultimately create public empowerment and the Government's accountability to the public.

4.10 Institutional Gaps In water management authorities’ lack of communication has been observed, which actually the root cause of all the problems is. There is no check on the employees and the person controlling the filtration plant. They are absent when it is time to open the plant but they are very punctual of closure time. Problems like cleanliness, hygiene, missing and rusted taps are not being reported neither by the officials nor by the citizens. Plants that are un-operational are resting as such, due to water shortage problems. WASA is not paying attention towards constructing new plants in those localities to meet the needs. Water purification plants once installed are left as they are and only monitored annually only to check whether they are operational or not. Their quality is checked less frequently. WASA and other authorities need to have a harmonized and shared efforts towards the water quality to ensure safe water provision for the residents of Rawalpindi.

4.11 Capacity Building Needs The authorities responsible for water supply in Rawalpindi is WASA and then RDA and TMA. Chief responsibility lies with WASA as all the plants installed are then handed over to WASA foe maintenance and monitoring. WASA needs to boost up its expertise and skills to address the issues being faced by the residents of Rawalpindi. After water quality, water quantity is another provoking issue. Water shortage occurs frequently. Novel technologies and efficient filter should be used by the WASA and also they should train their employees to manage and handle the issues regarding the operation of filtration plant. Better technologies can be helpful to enhance the water quality. Capacity of some of the filtration plants is not enough to meet the daily requirements of the consumers. There is only one filtration unit in whole Ahmadabad and residents are complaining that the water flow from taps is very slow due to which they had to wait for three to four hours to get single gallon of water. WASA, TMA and other management authorities seem least interested in improving the capacity of the filtration unit. Taps should be cleaned from inside for speedy water flow. More efficient taps should be installed and WASA should plan to install few new filtration plants in nearby areas.

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4.12 Awareness and Mass Communication Needs Media is a diversified form of communication manipulating broad range of characters. It is one of the most widely used ways to reach the audience, through the news media because of their effectiveness in delivering a message and in reaching a large number of people. Media include newspapers, radio, television, local cable channels, magazines, and Web sites. Mass awareness is very crucial so as to make citizens realize the importance and worth of safe drinking water and hence conserve water resources. Lots of reports are published frequently they should be included in newspapers and TV programs so that the public will know what’s going on inside the water they are having. Media can make people aware of what the safe water is, how they can check the safety level of water they are using, and ill effects of contaminated water consumed. Direct communication can also be done through different kinds of reality shows, it may reach fewer people but one to one communication is highly effective. Online communication, blogs and social websites are now widely used to share and exchange data. They can also be very helpful to publicize any water related problem because having safe water is basic human right. Coverage on the radio or television can be a great opportunity for reaching large segments of the target audience.

5. NEXT STEPS

Options and issues available regarding the present condition are analysed and discussed earlier. Keeping in mind those implications concerned system should:

a. Boost up their activities and mitigation measures to cope up with the situation. b. WASA, RDA, TMA should amend the working procedures and mechanism to reduce the gap

between supply and demand. c. As Pakistan is a water stressed country and water shortage is crucial issue. So, water should

be conserved at the receiver’s end and it the chief responsibility of the citizens. This can be done by educating and making the public aware of the consequences.

d. Enhanced coordination and synchronized efforts by government, people and water managing authorities will lead towards the solution of these problems.

e. Water analysis should be done more frequently so ensure good quality, hygiene at the unit should also be supervised since it is very crucial factor contributing towards quality.

f. Hygienic conditions at the plant site, its surroundings and ultraviolet lamps should be maintained regularly.

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References 1. WHO. Guidelines for Drinking-water Quality (4th)

2. National Standards for Drinking Water Quality (NSDWQ). (2008). Pakistan Environmental

Protection Agency

3. WHO. Water Quality and Health Strategy (2013-2020)

4. Imran, S. Drinking Water Quality Guidelines and Standards (Presentation). Retrieved August

7, 2014, from

https://www.google.com.pk/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=1&cad=rja&uact=8&

ved=0CB0QFjAA&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.pcrwr.gov.pk%2FPress%2520Releases%2520

2012%2FCOMSTECH%2520Workshop%2FMs%2520Saiqa%2520Imran%2F05-

Water%2520Quality%2520Standards.pdf&ei=2m4QVJP7D8HTaJ6QgPgB&usg=AFQjCNEsD

7v1uTTRZHclgZqrQSdoEVOZKw&bvm=bv.74649129,d.d2s

5. Nitrate and nitrite in drinking-water (Background document for development of WHO Guidelines

for Drinking-water Quality)

6. Water a vital source of life, the UN system in Pakistan.

7. Ahmad, N et al. (2011). Water Supply Problems in Rawalpindi City.

8. Tahir, A., Rashid, H., Imran, S. (2010). Water quality status in rural areas of Pakistan.

Publication No.143-2010.

9. Kazmi, S.S & Khan S.A. Level Of Nitrate And Nitrite Contents In Drinking Water Of Selected

Samples Received At AFPGMI, Rawalpindi. (2005). Pakistan Journal of Physiology.

10. Deshpande, L. Water Quality Analysis Laboratory Methods (pdf).

11. Turbidity. In Water Resources of the United States: U.S. Geological Survey. Retrieved August

8, 2014, from http://water.usgs.gov/edu/turbidity.html

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Appendix 1: water quality parameters, units and permissible limits

Water Quality Parameters 

Units  Permissible Limits (PSQCA, 2008) 

Color  ‒  Colorless 

Electrical Conductivity  ɥS/cm  NGVS 

pH  ‒  6.5‐8.5 

Turbidity  NTU  <5 

Alkalinity  ppm  NGVS 

Bicarbonate  ppm  NGVS 

Calcium  ppm  NGVS 

Carbonate  ppm  NGVS 

Chloride  ppm  250 

Hardness  ppm  500 

Magnesium  ppm  NGVS 

Potassium  ppm  NGVS 

Sodium  ppm  NGVS 

Sulfate  ppm  NGVS 

Nitrate (N)  ppm  10 

TDS  ppm  1000 

Total Coliforms  MPN/100ml, CFU/100  ₋ve (PSQCA, 2008) 

Fecal Coliforms  MPN/100ml, CFU/100  ₋ve (PSQCA, 2008) 

E.coli  ₊ve/₋ve  ₋ve (PSQCA, 2008) 

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