Muhammad Saleem

Unchecked sewage in Lahore is not only polluting the Ravi River and groundwater but also straining the economy, as waterborne diseases rise and environmental cleanup costs soar.

Dr. Osama Hashmi, Vice President of the Young Doctors Association, told Wealth Pakistan that poor wastewater management directly damages human health and costs the public heavily. He warned that contaminated water spreads diseases such as cholera, typhoid, and hepatitis, increasing the burden on hospitals, raising healthcare costs, and in severe cases, leading to mortality.

He stressed that proper treatment of wastewater and improved sewage management could prevent many of these problems. “We must educate communities to prevent the disposal of garbage and industrial waste into drains and rivers. A mechanism should ensure that household wastewater is disposed of safely. This can make a big difference,” he said.

According to him, recent floods have worsened the crisis, as stagnant floodwater becomes a breeding ground for diseases like dengue, which is now widespread in Lahore. “Fortunately, the government has taken steps to improve treatment access for dengue patients,” he added.

Dr. Hashmi further highlighted that untreated chemical waste from factories was discharged into rivers and streams, making water increasingly toxic and damaging crops. “A health system built to handle 1,000 patients daily cannot function properly if 1,500 arrive,” he noted.

Local resident Sahil Hussain, who lives near the Ravi, told Wealth Pakistan that untreated sewage has long been flowing into the river. “This is a serious problem because the contaminated water is seeping into groundwater, which people use for drinking,” he said. He said that millions of gallons of sewage are dumped into the river daily with the connivance of officials, making residents prone to diarrhea, hepatitis, and other diseases.

He urged the government to launch a campaign assessing the health of communities living near the Ravi, stressing that children and the poor are most vulnerable. “We cannot dream of economic progress if we ignore the health of our people, especially children, who are Pakistan’s future,” he remarked.

Dr. Muhammad Ishfaq, an agricultural economist, said untreated sewage inflicts multiple economic losses. Healthcare costs rise, while polluted rivers and groundwater reduce agricultural yields and fisheries productivity. “As a poor country, we cannot afford expensive cleanup projects. But investing in wastewater treatment now will save money in the long run,” he said.

He added that better sewage management would improve public health, enhance farm productivity, and make cities more economically vibrant. “Cities with clean rivers and proper wastewater systems are always more productive. Investing today means saving much more tomorrow,” he concluded.

Credit: INP-WealthPk