KARACHI: Seven filtration plants at five different sites of Karachi which were equipped with automatic chlorinator machinery imported from Germany and United Kingdom have began supplying water to different areas of the metropolis, according to officials of Karachi Water and Sewerage Board (KWSB). KWSB officials revealed that a total cost of Rs 375 million (mn) was incurred on refurbishing the plants with imported chlorinators and this increased the filtration capacity of the plants from 210 million gallon per day (MGD) to 540 MGD. According to KWSB officials, these projects were completed in a record time of four months on directives of the Supreme Court (SC) and Water Commission (WC). The officials revealed that 35 sets of chlorinators and relevant equipment were imported from Germany and United Kingdom (UK) through air cargo. They added that 30 chlorinators were installed in seven filtration plants in the city and the remaining 5 sets of chlorinators had been stored safely to be used as replacements, should any fault arise. KWSB officials said that this step will help in maintaining regular water supply to city areas. Officials said that this was the largest filtration project in the country. They explained that after summing up short term plan (1-3 month), medium term plan (6-9 month) and long term plan (1-2 years), KWSB had converted them all into a single task and completed it in four months. The officials further shared that laboratory testing systems present at three to four sites in the city had also been revamped to monitor and maintain the quality of filtered water. Chlorination is the process of adding chlorine to drinking water to disinfect it and kill germs. It is used to kill certain bacteria and other microbes in tap water as chlorine is highly toxic. In particular, chlorination is performed to prevent the spread of waterborne diseases such as cholera, dysentery, and typhoid. According to KWSB officials, before the installation of chlorinators, chlorine was added directly to water but the imported chlorinators have the ability to generate chlorine from salt. KWSB Technical Service Deputy Managing Director (DMD) Asadullah Khan told Dailty Times that the refurbishment process of the filtration plants had been completed on an urgent basis on directives of the apex court and the WC. Yahya Waseem, a laboratory incharge at COD Hills Bulk Water Filter Plant informed Daily Times that strict testing measures were being taken on regular intervals to check raw water. He added that COD laboratory had the capability of testing water on modern lines. He added that water samples from other part of Sindh were also brought in at COD lab for testing purposes. “Even Sindh Rangers bring water samples to the COD lab for testing,” he stated. Yahya Waseem explained that the testing laboratories were operating Dr Ghulam Murtaza, a senior research officer of Pakistan Council of Research in Water Resources, “Even appointments of water scientists at these laboratories have been going after strict scrutiny,” he added. According to Yahya Waseem, two private chemicals were supplying around 200,000 kilograms (kgs) of chlorine and allied chemicals to KWSB for use in filtration plants. “Water Board is the largest consumer of chlorine in the country,” he stated. COD Filter Plant Head Khailq Ahmad told Daily Times that special safety measures had also been taken to avert any accident in case of leakage of gas and chemicals. While commenting on the water filtration issue, Economic Forum Pakistan (EFP) President Qamar Qureshi urged managers of Karachi Greater Water Supply Scheme (K-III) to include such modern filtration system in water projects nearing completion. “These steps will save consumers from water-borne ailments,” he opined. According to KWSB officials, the formal inauguration of Hub Water Filter Plant Manghopir, North East Karachi K-II Filter Plant, North East Karachi Filter Plant (old), Pipri Water Filter Plant (old), Pipri Water Filter Plant Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), Gharo Water Filter Plant and COD Bulk Water Filter Plant will take place within couple of days. Hub Water Filter Plant, Manghopir started work in 2003. It has the capacity of 80 MGD and a total life of 14 years. North East Karachi K-II Filter Plant, started in 1998, has the capacity of 100 MGD and a lifespan of 19 years. North East Karachi Filter Plant (old), which started working in 1978 has a life of 39 years and a capacity of 25 MGD. Pipri Water Filter Plant (old) which became functional in 1971, has the capacity to filter 50 MGD of water. It has a life span of 46 years. Pipri Water Filter Plant, with assistance of Japan International Corporation Agency (JICA) started functioning in 2006. It has a capacity of 50 MGD and a designed life of 11 years. Gharo Water Filter Plant has two filter plants; one was started in 1943 with a capacity of 10 MGD and designed life of 74 years and the other was started in 1952 with a capacity of 20MGD and a life span of 65 years. Published in Daily Times, July 16th 2018.