By Qasim Ali
Lahore: Marking a significant milestone in environmental improvement and water treatment in Punjab, the Punjab Municipal Development Fund Company (PMDFC) has successfully completed the country’s first pilot project using Floating Wetlands Technology to treat flowing wastewater in the Hudiara Drain, Lahore. The project was executed under the supervision of Mian Shakil Ahmad Secretary Local Government, Punjab with support from NIBGE, UNICEF, and the University of Lahore.
Under the project, floating wetlands were installed over 16,000 square feet along a 500-meter stretch of the Hudiara Drain adjacent to the University of Lahore. A total of 660 jumbo lawn sheets were deployed, carrying more than 6,500 specialized aquatic plants. These plants naturally absorb and filter pollutants, foul odor, and harmful substances present in the flowing wastewater. According to project results, the water quality of the drain has improved significantly, and surrounding communities as well as students and faculty of the University of Lahore, have experienced substantial relief from persistent foul odor.
Speaking on the occasion, PMDFC Managing Director Syed Zahid Aziz said that this is the first time in Pakistan that Floating Wetlands Technology has been successfully installed in a running wastewater drain. This environmentally friendly and low-cost solution has demonstrated remarkable improvements in wastewater quality. He added that while PMDFC has previously implemented floating wetlands in wastewater ponds, the same technology has now proven effective for treating flowing wastewater as well.
He further stated that the successful completion of the project was made possible through the strong support and collaboration of the Punjab Local Government Department, NIBGE, UNICEF, the University of Lahore, and all other stakeholders, for which PMDFC is deeply grateful.
