Pakistan’s water supplies are severely stressed because of climate change, rapid population increase, and poor water resource management raises serious concerns. Pakistan today faces an impending water catastrophe as water supply per capita has dropped by more than 80% over the past 70 years. Considering the dire situation, it stands out to be the top contender for water reclamation and management. Being the largest and most industrialized city in Pakistan, Karachi has been under water stress since the late 60s. Addressing this burning issue has been keen desire for the environmentalist community across Pakistan for it solves the problem at hand as well as ensuring compliance with UN SDG-6, which entails the availability of clean water and sanitation.
Fortunately, Sustainable Environmental Solutions Pvt. Ltd. (SES), a NUST spinoff company, has been on the leading edge of the water and wastewater reclamation and reuse industry since its inception. In 2021, SES was awarded the task of designing, constructing, and operating Sequencing Batch Reactors (SBRs) to bring the dream of sustainability a bit closer to reality. The SBR system is much favorable due to its low excess sludge yield rate and highly efficient biological treatment. SBR are a version of the activated sludge process in which treatment operations such as filling, aeration, settling and discharge are carried out in a single tank. Since all treatment steps are done in the same tank, SBR systems require less space compared to conventional treatment systems.
This project, which was awarded by the DHA Karachi to SES, consisted of three treatment plants working at different locations: Defence Authority Creek Club, 5X Marquee, and Do Darya, given call signs STP-1, STP-2, and STP-3, respectively. STP-1 is working with at the capacity of 150 m3 per day, STP-2 is working at 100 m3 per day, and STP-3 is treating 100 m3 per day. The project commenced in late 2021 and came to fruition during the latter days of August 2023. Treatment efficiencies of SBRs in-terms of chemical oxygen demand (COD) were in the range between 92-95%. The treated water could also be used for the horticulture and floor washing/Cleaning. Furthermore, the plant was formally inaugurated on 21 September 2023 at Creek Club, DHA Phase 8, Karachi.
At the end, it is gladly reported that one of the most prominent and extremely influential institution of Pakistan has successfully taken a significant leap of commitment and action towards a safe, efficient, and sustainable future.
The author is a Professor at School of Civil and Environmental Engineering, National University of Sciences and Technology (NUST). He can be reached at s.jamal@iese.nust.edu.pk.
Research Profile: https://shorturl.at/AM249
