RAWALPINDI: The laboratory of Punjab Environment Protection Agency (Punjab-EPA) has found water being supplied in most localities of Rawalpindi unfit for human consumption.

After September 3 rains and flood in Leh Nullah, Punjab government had asked Punjab-EPA to assess the quality of water being supplied through taps to the Pindi residents.

Punjab-EPA collected 169 water samples from different localities.

Af ter laboratory test, contaminants were found in water being supplied to 57 localities.

According to the report, the laboratory also received samples fromRawal Dam Filtration plant which were found fit for human consumption.

As many as 112 samples had been found fit for human consumption as per National Standards for drinking water quality as zero bacteria found in the samples.

However, the localities where water was impure included Javed Colony, Chamanzar Colony, Murree Road, Dhoke Hassu, Dhoke Mangtal, Dhoke Ratta, Pirwadhai, Dhoke Dalal, Khyaban-i-Sir Syed, Soan Christian Colony and Chontra Village.

When contacted, Deputy Director Punjab-EPA Rawalpindi Laboratory Maqsood Ahmad said that more than 50 samples of water were found unfit for drinking purposes.`We found uncountable bacteria in the sample of Rawal Lake but the water being supplied from Rawal Dam Filtration plant is safe,` he said.

He said that the water samples were taken from the taps installed in different areas of Rawalpindi City.

He said the samples of waste water were also taken from seven Industrial Units and two private hospitals at Saidpur Road and found eight units discharging untreated waste water in the drains.

The Punjab EPA official said it was compulsory for the industrial units and hospitals to install waste water treatment plant.

Haji Waseem, a resident of Mohanpura, said that water from filtration plant also gave a smell. Hesaid that he had lodged a complaint with Water and Sanitation Agency but to no avail.

Dr. Masood Ahmed, physician at Saddar, said the stomach and liver diseases in these localities were on the rise. `Contaminated water carries viruses of cholera, hepatitis A and many stomach diseases,` he said.

He said the people should use boiled water.

`The people should not use tap water or underground tanks water, he said.

He said since children`s immune system was weak they were more prone to water borne diseases as compared to adults.

He said that many children visited the hospital with stomach problems.