Nature and Research Guide

Great Opportunity

https://youtu.be/6cYapc9SJOA

Satrangi/ Rainbow lake or Shumoo Baari Nalter Valley Gilgit Baltistan

The Report Misreported

In the wake of a report published by PCRWR pertaining to the water quality status of Gilgit-Baltistan, and subsequent media reports declaring the water sources of GB, specially the underground water dubbed as 100 percent toxic and lethal to human lives, coerced me to see the report and discuss its findings.
The media reports (TV, social media) gone viral and created a state of unrest among general masses of the area, showing high concern on the subject matter.
No doubt, the microbiological picture of the water supplied to the main cities in Gilgit-Baltistan from different sources ( streams, springs,) is pathetic, but the matter is the protection of the sources and safe and protected supply to the end user. The leaked, old and defective piping system coupled with unprotected sources intensifies the situation. The inclusion of waste water/ sewerage to the distribution network is the main cause of microbial contamination.
Here I want to focus on the word toxic used for the underground water, where it was emphasized that 100 percent ground water is toxic and not potable.
Some of the facts and observations from the PCRWR report:
The report says that the toxic heavy metals (Cadmium, Chromium, Arsenic, Lead, Mercury etc) are within permissible limits. It focused on some samples (mostly surface water) reflecting the upper limits of iron and Aluminum. The presence of iron in water do not pose serious health risks, rather in some amounts it acts as a dietary mineral. Similarly, the Aluminum content in water is shown in higher amounts in some samples. The Toxicity of aluminum is again not serious as compared to arsenic, lead and mercury etc. Furthermore, the amount of both elements shown in the report is dubious and obscure, as we at Karakorum international University are assessing water samples from each nook and corner of GB from the last ten years and none of the sample reflected any elevated level of Iron and Aluminum (as shown in the report).
The media reports portray the 100 percent contamination/toxicity in underground water, whereas the PCRWR report indicates that only few underground water samples have been assessed, on the basis of which the elevated iron and aluminum levels were reported and the media reported it as highly toxic underground water sources.
Some clarification in the context of underground water sources of GB, particularly deep underground bored wells:
The deep underground water sources of GB are far most better than surface water, in terms of microbiological and chemical contamination, the media report created sensitivity among the inhabitants of GB, specially Gilgit. I received several class from the past two days that they have discontinued the use of deep water source (bored wells).
The majority of the deep underground water ( below 60 feet) sources received for quality assessment at water quality lab KIU, were up to the mark and each and every parameter was within permissible limit ( WHO,NEQS etc).
The media reports on the subject ( dawn news) says that Gilgit is among the cities having toxic underground sources of water, the news was based on the statement given by a federal minister in National Assembly of Pakistan. So surprisingly underground water at Gilgit is worst and that of Sialkot, is up to the mark.( as per report)
So, the GBians, Specially the citizens of Gilgit, don’t get panicked, the situation is not so alarming as depicted “100 percent ZEHREELA”. The best solution is to boil the water prior drinking to avoid microbial contamination. Open potable sources must be protected; distribution network be revamped by concerned quartets in addition to disinfection treatment and filtration.

The author holds a PhD degree in water quality

Dr. Maisoor Ahmed Nafees
Head, Animal Sciences Department KIU.