Punjab Sets Up 15 Modern Water Quality Monitoring Stations

The Environment Protection Department of Punjab has set up 15 modern water quality monitoring stations to keep a close eye on the pollution levels in rivers, canals, drains, and other surface water sources throughout the province. These state-of-the-art stations transmit water quality data to a central control room every hour, enabling authorities to quickly identify any shifts in pollution levels and pinpoint possible sources of contamination. The project focuses on major water systems such as the Ravi, Chenab, Jhelum, and Sutlej rivers.

Each monitoring station is equipped with sophisticated equipment that measures water quality and flow, while integrated systems facilitate the storage and transmission of the readings. The initial budget for this project was estimated at around Rs. 600 million; however, the cost was later revised to approximately Rs. 2.97 billion in November 2024.

This ambitious initiative was launched under the World Bank-supported Punjab Green Development Program and aimed to activate all 15 stations by May 2025; however, it experienced delays.

Noor Ahmad, an official from the environmental monitoring department, mentioned that the installations include the Ravi siphon, the downstream area of Hudiara Drain, and headworks. He further explained that the imported monitoring systems are being calibrated to suit local conditions, and their data is undergoing rigorous checks. The water quality readings will be visible on a central dashboard once they have received third-party approval.

Sohail Ahmad Naqvi, the Director of Water Affairs at WWF-Pakistan, expressed his support for this initiative and urged the government to make the data publicly accessible, similar to air quality readings. He believes that such transparency would bolster pollution control efforts.