Pakistan is a nation of c.a. 220 million people and currently stands as the world’s 6th largest country by population. The importance of water for Pakistan can be judged by the fact that it has the world’s fourth-highest rate of water use. Its water intensity rate — the amount of water, in cubic meters, used per unit of GDP — is the world’s highest. This suggests that no other country’s economy is more water-intensive than Pakistan’s. Thus, it can be argued that any economic growth agenda for Pakistan must prioritise water, its treatment and reuse as well as sustainability as a corner stone. Secondly, the environmental crisis being faced by the nation is reaching unprecedented levels and the current government’s environmental initiatives must include steps for water preservation and water treatment before it is too late.
Water productivity in Pakistan is significantly lower compared neighbouring countries. Incentives can be introduced to ensure the efficient use of water and make sure the most is utilised from every drop. This will reduce the strain on freshwater supplies and promote innovative methods to reuse and recycle water across the country.
Nearly 70 percent of the Pakistan’s population is directly or indirectly associated with agriculture, which accounts for 26 percent of its gross domestic product (GDP). Furthermore, most of the freshwater supplies are utilised for agricultural purposes in Pakistan. Hence, effective management of freshwater supplies and working with the agricultural sector to improve water industry is very important for the future developments of water management in the country.
One of the major challenges faced by South Asian countries involves the production of highly contaminated and toxic wastewater from various industries, mainly noted Textile, Chemicals and Food and Beverage. Industrial water withdrawals represent 22% of total global water use *.
Minimal industrial treatment of water leads to the increased pollution of waterways described above. Effective treatment of wastewater is important to prevent surface water and groundwater supplies from being highly contaminated to protect the population from diseases. I.E. Arsenic contamination of waterways is a major problem which has led to skin related diseases across many regions in Pakistan
What is required is a complete change in attitudes towards water and its importance to society and the nation, from grass root levels. Over the past 70 years previous governments have ignored if not turned a blind eye to the water sector even though it is a jugular for the nation. Policy development has been weak but more importantly lacking resolve for implementation.
What is required is a fresh start to address the key issues on a war footing.
- Strong policymaking based on global standards but tailored for Pakistan’s purpose
- Effective implementation strategies and implementation itself
Adoption of innovative solutions in addition to the development of dams - Raising awareness of the acuteness of the issue on a national level, from home consumers to industrialists. Creating a wave of change and mindset across a cross-section of society, when it comes to dealing with water.
Increasing Water Supply:
Communities in water scarce regions can benefit from adapting innovative approaches from Mapora to increase water supply and consistently provide high quality water for multiple uses. These innovate approaches include:
- Rainwater Harvesting
- Groundwater remediation
- Innovative technologies which are cost effective for point of source water treatment
Water Reuse:
Mapora Consulting Engineers have vast experience in providing water reuse strategies and technologies to enable communities to manage water in an economical manner. Providing expert consultative solutions, Mapora engineers can help increase water supply in communities especially in water scarce regions. This can be enabled in various ways including:
- Treating wastewater to appropriate quality for agricultural use and irrigation of crops. E.g. Treating from various industries (textile, food and beverage, chemical and pharmaceutical) to
reuse through removing key contaminants such as heavy metals.
Industry:
Mapora can provide innovative solutions to enable high quality treatment to increase water sustainability in water stressed regions.
Textiles: Innovative solutions to remove heavy metals (e.g. arsenic), colour and toxic chemicals from dye manufacturers and tanneries.
Chemical: Removal of COD, BOD, Solids, Colour and various other parameters to enable reuse and reduce cost of disposal.
Food and Beverage: Treatment of high levels of organics, fats oils and grease as well as removal of solids. Disinfection of inlet water for process water use.
Manufacturing: Cost effective treatment of wastewater through cost effective primary, secondary and tertiary solutions.
Consultative Advice:
Water conservation strategies including water conservation, water reuse and overall water management advice.
Assisting senior figures and government figures with tender projects.
Global Experience: Mapora Engineers have vast experience through carrying out water treatment projects across the world. Europe, China, India and South Korea are some countries where our engineers have carried out water projects.
Mapora Consulting Engineers Profile:
Mapora Consulting Engineers are a team of engineers working in the water and wastewater treatment industry as consultants to various industrial companies and public figures. With over 50 years of combined experience in the industry, our team specialise in providing consultative solutions to industry and senior government figures on water management. Some of our deliverables include:
- Water and wastewater treatment technologies, including primary, secondary and tertiary solutions.
- Improvement of current operating water treatment technologies in industry.
- Consultative solutions to effective water management strategies, including water conservation through water reuse, water recycling, groundwater remediation and rainwater harvesting.
- Process improvement, plant optimisation, commissioning and project management of new
technologies. - Global experience – Mapora Engineers have experience across the world in water applications from Europe, Asia and USA
Services Provided:
- Free initial consultation followed by day rate (varying dependant on engineer).