‘No wastewater is being dumped at Gorano’

After reporting in the areas around Gorano reservoir, where water from coal mines and Thar Coal Block II is being dumped, the Earthwise sent a number of questions to the Sindh Engro Coal Mining Company (SECMC). Given below are their responses: 

The water requirements for coal mining and power generation in Thar are closely interlinked. Although coal mining itself isn’t a water-intensive process, the abundance of water in the third aquifer restricts the extraction of coal because that extraction involves tapping into this aquifer. This leads to a continuous extraction of underground water. A specific portion of this extracted water has been allocated to one of the power plants, effectively fulfilling its needs for over three years. It’s important to note, however, that a reservoir built near the village of Vejihar – being filled by water taken from LBOD [Left Bank Outfall Drain] — remains the primary source of water for all power plants.

What kind of impact assessment was done on the quality of upper aquifer in and around Gorano reservoir before dumping wastewater from coal mining there?

No waste water is being dumped at Gorano. The water that is disposed at Gorano is underground water extracted from the third aquifer and, due to naturally occurring high salinity, it cannot be used for conventional purposes. That is why it’s being disposed at Gorano. This underground water is disposed of after carrying out Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) based on which Sindh Environmental Protection Agency (SEPA)  granted the permission to dispose of this water after thorough assessment of its quality which ensures that there are no harmful contaminants present in it.

Who monitors the quality of water extracted from coal mines and released from coal-based power plants? How and how regularly is this monitoring done?
An Independent Environment Monitoring Consultant is engaged to monitor the quality of drinking water wells around Gorano and to evaluate the quality of disposed water to ensure that no toxic contaminants are present in it. The consultant submits reports to SEPA on monthly basis. However, please note that the misconception of water being dumped at Gorano is wastewater is incorrect and false. Gorano contains the underground water extracted during mining operations.

Residents of Thar, especially those from Gorano, have consistently been complaining that their drinking water has been polluted because of the reservoir. What is being done to alleviate their concerns?

The following table based provides water test results as of December 2023:

How many RO plants have been set up in and around Thar coalfield blocks, especially in villages around Gorano reservoir? How much water does each RO plant around Gorano provide?

Five drinking water wells of surrounding villages are being monitored every month by an Independent Environment Monitoring Consultant to ensure that the quality of water doesn’t deteriorate there and the report of these tests is being submitted to SEPA on a monthly basis.

To further facilitate the community, a total of 19 RO plants are currently operating. Out of these, 14 are in Thar Block II or its vicinity with cumulative designed capacity of approximately 282,000 gallons per day. The remaining five are in surrounding villages of Gorano with cumulative designed capacity of around 100,000 gallons per day.

Water quality of these RO plants is also monitored by a third party on a monthly basis to ensure that the quality of their water is compliant to Sindh Environment Quality Standards (SEQS) defined by SEPA.

Residents of the villages around Gorano reservoir complain that the RO plants do not meet their water needs. They say that water from these RO plants is not available 24/7 and it is only sufficient for drinking purposes. 

They also allege that these plants do not run smoothly and often shut down either because of some malfunction or due to weekly or official holidays? What is your point of view and who is responsible for the upkeep and maintenance of these RO plants?

In response to concerns raised about the smooth operation of the RO plants managed by Thar Foundation, it is essential to clarify that these plants operate seamlessly from 8:00 am to 5:00 pm. Importantly, there has been no major breakdown reported recently. The Thar Foundation remains unwavering in its commitment to prioritizing community welfare, with the efficient functioning of the RO plants being a key element of this commitment.

Addressing the allegations of frequent shutdowns, whether due to malfunctions or weekly and official holidays, it is crucial to highlight that the Thar Foundation is actively responsible for the upkeep and maintenance of these RO plants. The Thar Foundation is receptive to community feedback, taking it into account for further improvement and optimization, thus reinforcing its dedication to facilitating the community and making their lives more comfortable.

These responses have only been edited for clarity and grammar. For more details on problems with water sources around Gorano, read our lede story.