KARACHI, May 1: The findings of the analysis by the Pakistan Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (PCSIR) of the water samples taken from the Keenjhar Lake following toxic contamination of one of its drains show no presence of poisonous compounds but high concentration of faecal matter, it emerged on Tuesday.

The contamination could cause illness in both humans and animals, experts at the PCSIR believed, adding that this should be a cause for concern for the communities living around the lake and those being supplied water from the lake.

The results were out after the Sindh Environment Protection Agency (Sepa) recently initiated an inquiry into the pollution case after serving a notice to Fauji Fertiliser Company running a windmill project in the area. The step was taken when laboratory tests found high concentration of urea in the samples collected from the Horilo drain feeding Keenjhar Lake. The contamination caused death of fish in large numbers, besides other animals.

Speaking to Dawn, PCSIR microbiology laboratory head, Principal Scientific Officer Dr Seema Ismat, said that faecal coliform was found in high concentration in the samples that could cause illness.

“Two samples [collected by the PCSIR] were taken from the Kalri Baghar Feeder and the lake spot which supplied water to Karachi. The other two submitted by the Karachi Water and Sewerage Board were also taken from the lake, but we have not been informed about the exact sites from where they had been collected,” she said.

She mentioned that the time and site of sample collection was very important, as they determined results. “With the flow of water, the level of toxicity dilutes.”

When her attention was drawn to the lab findings of Sepa, she said there could be a possibility that the samples were not taken from the affected spot or at the right time (following the contamination in the drain).

Water contaminated with faecal matter, she said, should be of concern for communities living around the lake and consuming its water without treating it.

“Karachi is located far from the lake and the impact of such pollutants dilutes to a great extent when it reaches the city. Besides, chlorination also takes care of faecal contaminants,” she added.

About the supply of contaminated water in Thatta, Abdul Hameed Palari, vice chairman of the Keenjhar Conservation Network, said that about 70,000 people lived around the lake and were directly dependent on the lake for livelihood and drinking water.

“All human and animal waste from Jhimpir goes into the Keenjhar Lake. The same is true for the people living around the lake as they don’t have toilets in their homes and their animals graze along the lake in seasons when the water level goes down,” he said.

Contaminated water of the lake, according to Mr Palari, had gravely affected public health. Hepatitis, tuberculosis and skin infections were too common among people residing around the lake and Jhimpir that he said received untreated water from the lake.

When the divisional officer (engineering) of public health department, Thatta, Rasheed Soomro, was asked about these concerns, he said that his department was only responsible for the supply of water to Jhimpir. He said that Jhimpir received water only after treatment.

“The quality is checked on alternate days. We have found no traces of contamination in the samples taken from the lake and tested at a government lab recently.”

He said people living around the lake had been drinking that water for a long time. Also, water from the lake was supplied to various other places through tankers, he said.According to environmentalists, a number of government departments are working at the lake though none of them is practically responsible to check pollution that has exposed the communities to various health hazards.