Danger of Shallow Wells in Karak turning Brackish
As discussed earlier, the lateral permeability of soils in the vicinity of KBD is relatively higher than its vertical permeability, which translates into higher seepage from the dam.
Earlier in the Report, the increase in surface water salinity due to the salt dissolution, from the geological salt formations, has been explained at length in the above sections.
Hence, the fate of thousands of people living on the right bank of River Indus near KBD, is feared to be under another threat due to the combined effect of these two soil characteristics.
In the Karak District, and its surroundings, the drinking water needs of the local population are fulfilled by shallow wells. Which provide the basic necessity of life through the storage of the surface water seepage into localized alluvial formation, forming the sweet water aquifer.
This shallow aquifer is distinctly separated from the deep-water reservoir of the saline zones, which is heavily polluted with salt concentrations. With the construction of KBD in the proposed geological environment, it is feared that this life giving sweet-water aquifer will be lost due to:
With the result, the shallow water wells, presently used for water supply purposes of the people living in the Karak and its surrounding Districts, will turn brackish, thereby making life impossible in the area. And forcing the people to migrate to other places.