Pollution and Encroachment of Phuleli Canal along the Periphery of Hyderabad City of Pakistan

¹ Department of Civil Engineering, Kampala International University, Kampala, Uganda

² Irrigation Department, Government of Sindh, Hyderabad, Pakistan

³ Department of Microbiology, University of Haripur, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan.

*Corresponding author:

Mumtaz Ahmad Sohag

Department of Civil Engineering

Kampala International University

Ggaba Road

Kampala, Uganda

Tel: +256 794021962

Email: mumtaz_sohag@hotmail.com

Abstract

Rivers and canals are major source of irrigation and drinking water that have been badly polluted with industrial waste and sewage water. Fecally contaminated canal water is a major source of diarrheal diseases in Pakistan. Phuleli canal in Hyderabad is a main water supply source for both irrigation as well as human consumption. However, it is greatly polluted with industrial and domestic waste. This study reports the encroachments as well as sewage and solid waste disposal points along the periphery of the Phuleli River in Hyderabad city of Sindh. We report a high number of waste disposal points, and encroachments along the canal bank polluting the water. Water analysis by using standard tests also reveal high level of heavy metals and pollutants than the WHO recommended limits. We conclude that the situation may be largely improved by controlling the encroachments and disposal of solid waste and sewage into the canal.

Keywords: Phuleli Canal, encroachment, pollution, heavy metals, solid waste etc.

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