Dubbed ‘floating treatment wetlands’ (FTWs), the solution has displayed promising results in cleaning sewage, factory effluent and even water contaminated with hydrocarbons and heavy metals. In particular, the mats noticeably reduced the amount of grease, oil, sulfates, heavy metals and microbiological contaminants. Water crisis in the makingAccording to the International Monetary Fund (IMF), Pakistan is the third-most affected country with acute water shortage. Moreover, Pakistan Council of Research in Water Resources (PCRWR) has warned that Pakistan may run out of sufficient usable water by 2025. A 2013 study conducted in Sialkot and Wazirabad districts found higher levels of heavy metals in crops irrigated by sewage water compared to those supplied water from tube wells.

Source: The Express Tribune April 14, 2020 04:41 UTC