Editor in Chief: Moh. Reza Huwaida Friday, March 29th, 2024

Water level goes 20 meters down in Kabul

Water level goes 20  meters down in Kabul

KABUL -  Officials of the water supply company and urban canalization on Monday said the underground water level in the capital has severely polluted and lowered by 20 meters over the last few years.
Hamidullah Yalani, head of Afghanistan Urban Water Supply and Sewerage Corporation (AUWSSC), expressed these views during a ceremony organized for inauguration of a new water supply project in Shah Shaheed area of Kabul.
He said Afghanistan was vulnerable to water pollution and Afghan officials concerned and people should be careful about it.
The water level plummeted 20 meters down in Kabul over the last few years, he said. “Unfortunately water in the country, particularly in the capital, is used very unjustly. Water pumps, pools and car washing stations excessively use water.”
However, Yalani said AUWSSC in cooperation with other government organs had developed programs to improve the water situation.
Transferring water from Shah Toot Dam to Kabul city is part of the programs for which initial steps had already begun and would be finalized soon by the National Procurement Commission (NPC), he said.
Talking about the start of a new water supply project in Shah Shaheed area that falls in the limits of the eighth police district, he said that 3,500 families would find access to potable water once the project was completed over the next one year.
He said the project cost was 85 million afghanis which had been paid by the Ministry of Finance.
Sardar Wali Malakzai, in charge for water supply to Kabul zone, said that currently 65,000 families received healthy water through AUWSSC while the water for thousands of other families was supplied by private companies.
Gul Pacha Majidi, a lawmaker from Paktia province living in the eighth police district, said water shortage and pollution seriously threatened the livelihood of Kabul people.
He said officials concerned should take action for improving the situation and preventing an environmental crisis.
Abdul Wasay Ghori, a resident of Shah Shaheed area said: “We voice on local people not to pollute water and the company contracted for the project should implement the project on time.”

Water and Energy Minister Ali Ahmad Osmani last year had also expressed concern about similar water problems in Kabul. (Tolo news)