IS WATER FROM RAWAL DAM SAFE AND SUITABLE FOR DRINKING?
Author

Dr Manzoor Butt
Rawalpindi-Pakistan

People of Rawalpindi mainly depend on water supply from Rawal Dam. This Dam is situated in Islamabad and is one of the beautiful dams of Pakitan. Administratively, it comes under control of Rawalpindi government. It is also a source of fresh water fish.

In second half of June, the people enjoying the strolling along the bank of Dam noticed many dead fish .It was reported to relevant authorities. These dead fish have been sent to the government laboratory for chemical and biological examination.

It is now end of second week of July but the reports are still awaited. The common question of debate among people of Rawalpindi now a days is, "Is water from Rawal Dam safe and suitable for drinking purposes?"

 


People of Rawalpindi may be at risk of abdominal diseases because their water supply from Rawal Dam is not reliable. The potential sources of contamination are:
1) Human excreta from nearby villages
2) Animal excreta from nearby villages
3) Chemicals from the nearby rocks

This is an urgent question but there does not seem any hurry on Government's side to answer it. There is an intense need to create awareness about safe and clean drinking water among our people.