NEILI (Pajhwok): Due to prolonged drought, reduced rainfall and the absence of a standard sewage system, underground water in the capital of central Daikundi province is becoming increasingly contaminated.
This issue has raised serious concerns among residents and local officials.
Local officials and residents say the lack of a proper sewage disposal system, particularly in residential homes and government offices, has led to the pollution of underground water sources, posing significant health risks and environmental hazards.
Arif Sediqi, spokesperson for Daikundi Environmental Protection Deشpartment, said unregulated sewage wells were increasingly contaminating groundwater in Neili city, the provincial capital, posing a severe future risk to residents.
According to his department’s survey, over 40 percent of Neili’s residents and some government institutions use substandard or soak pit sewage systems, with no standard waste disposal infrastructure in place.
He explained the infiltration of harmful substances into groundwater not only deteriorates water quality but also contributes to the spread of various diseases.
Contaminated water negatively impacts all aspects of life and endangers the entire ecosystem.
Sediqi added in the provincial capital, where groundwater was the primary source of drinking water and there was no proper sewerage system, the situation was becoming increasingly dire for both public health and the environment.
He warned: “Absorptive sewage wells are among the main causes of underground water pollution in Daikundi. Many of these wells are poorly constructed, lacking proper septic systems, and the region’s permeable soil allows contaminants to seep quickly into underground water sources, creating a hazardous situation.”
Residents not only face a shortage of agricultural water, but drinking water resources are also dwindling. Continued contamination could lead to a severe public health crisis. Siddiqi noted that it can take at least five years for polluted water to become safe again, and using it in the meantime can be extremely dangerous, even fatal.
He urged the public to invest in proper septic systems, stating: “While building a septic tank may cost around 50,000 afghanis, treating illnesses caused by contaminated water could cost more than 200,000 afghanis. Moreover, the health consequences may be irreversible.”
He said the Environmental Department regularly holds quarterly meetings with local authorities to address groundwater pollution and reduce the use of soak pits. Public awareness campaigns have also been launched through local media and social networks.
The Department of Energy and Water also expressed concern over the growing pollution. The department noted that many older homes had been built without proper sewage plans, exacerbating the problem.
Omid Ali Mohammadi, an official of the department, said groundwater in Neili was losing its chemical and physical qualities.
According to him, water samples taken from wells near sewage pits show significant deterioration.
He pointed out that many homes were built without adhering to urban planning standards or constructing proper sewage systems, leading to the current crisis.
Meanwhile, university professor Mohammad Bonyadi said surface-level sewage wells allow waste to seep into rainwater and underground reserves, which were crucial for springs and wells. Once contaminated, these sources pose a serious health risk.
He noted that groundwater pollution is difficult to detect, meaning many wells in Neili might already be contaminated.
Bonyadi estimated that about 50 percent of the water used by residents comes from underground sources.
“Using this polluted water threatens our freshwater reserves and poses serious health risks, including various infectious diseases,” he added.
“If contaminated water is used for agriculture, it pollutes the soil, disrupts its nutrient balance, harms crops, and eventually enters the human food chain. It also negatively affects the ecosystem.”
Several Daikundi residents echoed concerns about unregulated sewage systems and called for urgent action to prevent further groundwater contamination.
Reza Rezai, an inhabitant of the provincial capital, said most homes and some offices rely on absorbent sewage wells, which are hazardous to public health.
He explained: “When people first built houses, they didn’t consider proper sewage systems. Many soak pits are dug just below ground level and are sometimes emptied into valleys, spreading foul odours.”
Rezai added that such practices contaminate nearby drinking water wells and spread diseases.
“This isn’t just a nuisance to neighbours; it directly harms public health. Everyone must act responsibly to prevent illnesses and environmental degradation,” he emphasised.
Doctors in Daikundi also warn that contaminated water can lead to serious illnesses.
Dr. Reza Akhtari said waterborne diseases caused by polluted water include diarrhoea, vomiting, abdominal pain, kidney and heart issues, hormonal imbalances, weakened immune systems, nerve damage, and even poisoning.
He stressed that if access to clean water is not available, suspicious sources should be boiled or treated before use.
In response to public complaints, Daikundi governor’s spokesman, Sayed Ghazanfar Kazemi, reported that inspections were carried out in 46 homes on June 23. As a result, four drinking water wells were found to be unusable.
Of the inspected homes, 17 had standard septic tanks, 16 had soak pits, seven had reusable water tanks, three had open-pit toilets, and three discharged waste through outdoor pipes.
Kazemi said homeowners with substandard sewage systems were given 25 days to upgrade them. He acknowledged widespread public concern and called on everyone to cooperate in tackling the issue.
Neili is one of Afghanistan’s newer cities, and many homes there have not been built according to proper urban standards, residents say.
kk/ma
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