IRSA sounds alarm over toxic rivers, orders provinces to halt untreated waste discharge

ISLAMABAD: Raising serious concerns over worsening water pollution, the Indus River System Authority (Irsa) has directed provincial governments to immediately stop the discharge of untreated wastewater into rivers and natural streams.

In a letter to provincial chief secretaries, Irsa Chairman Amjad Saeed warned of an “alarming deterioration” in water quality across the Indus Basin Irrigation System (IBIS), citing rising pollution, salinity, and foul odour as major threats.

The authority said recent studies, backed by field reports from provincial irrigation departments and Irsa’s own monitoring teams, confirmed a steady decline in water quality. Provinces, along with the Pakistan Environmental Protection Agency (Pepa), were reminded of their legal obligations under the Indus River System Act, 1992, to protect and manage water resources in line with the Water Apportionment Accord 1991.

With nearly 90 per cent of Pakistan’s irrigation dependent on the IBIS canal network, Irsa warned that the country’s agriculture, food production, and overall food security were at risk.

Particular concern was raised over the Ravi and Sutlej rivers, which have been described as severely polluted. In the lower Indus, salinity levels continue to rise—especially during low-flow periods—while water in Manchar Lake has been declared unfit for both drinking and irrigation.

The regulator also flagged deteriorating water conditions in rivers across Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, including the Kabul and Swat rivers, calling the situation a growing public health hazard.

On-ground observations revealed visible contamination—foaming and foul smell—at key barrages such as Sukkur, Kotri, and the Aral Head Regulator of Manchar Lake.

Scientific analysis further showed increasing levels of total dissolved solids, chloride concentration, and sodium absorption ratio (SAR) downstream, alongside seasonal drops in dissolved oxygen—indicators of declining water health.

The issue was recently reviewed in an Irsa meeting attended by federal and provincial representatives, where participants expressed grave concern and agreed on urgent remedial measures.

Irsa has now called for coordinated federal and provincial action, urging authorities to enforce wastewater treatment before discharge and safeguard the integrity of the irrigation system.

“Protecting the IBIS is critical not only for agriculture but also for ensuring citizens’ constitutional right to clean and sustainable water,” the Irsa chairman stressed.