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Safe Drinking Water
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Safe drinking water is the fundamental for human survival and is a basic human right.
In Pakistan, only about 60% of the urban population is provided water by the municipal
authorities with no standard both in term of regularity as well as safety. The water being
supplied is mostly un-safe for human consumption causing widespread water borne diseases.
Mostly rural population is excluded from water supply system; they rely on their own sources
which are never tested for safety. Contamination of ground water due to poor sanitation, salinity,
excessive use of pesticides and fertilizers expose them to great health risk.
Drinking Water and Health
Unsafe drinking water has been established as a source of many diseases, and is responsible for 40%
of all communicable diseases in Pakistan . The most common water born disease is gastroenteritis,
diarrhea, typhoid, giardiasis and intestinal worms. Other diseases which occur due to unavailability
of water are trachoma and scabies. Women and children are the worst effectees of poor quality and
quantity of water, as women in the remote rural areas bear the burden of carrying water from far
off places and are also responsible for managing water at home; children are physically weak and
more prone to water born diseases, more so because of the prevailing malnutrition and lack of immunity.
Piped and Ground Water Government’s Responsibility.
Drinking water is a “public utility” and governments are primarily responsible for the provision of
safe drinking water to the public as a basic need to sustain life.
Drinking water supply is a provision subject in Pakistan implemented through district governments.
Water supply is the responsibility of local government and the public health engineering department.
Local Government Ordinance. 2001 makes the local governments responsible for supply of whole some
water, sufficient for public and private purposes. There is no comprehensive policy at the federal
or provincial levels for this important utility affecting health and daily life of consumer.
Drinking Water Quality Standards.
Pakistan Standards and Quality Control Authority (PSQCA) has issued Drinking Water Standards
(PS-1932-2002) in 2002 for piped water which are voluntary, whereas PSQCA bottled water standards
(PS-4639-2002) are mandatory in nature. It deprives almost 30-40% of the population (served through
piped water) of safety measures. Consumer drawing water from under ground sources, mostly in rural
areas, are in state of jeopardy as there is no system to ascertain quality of drinking water they use.
Bone deformity is a case in point in Kalanwala, Distt Qasur, Punjab caused by high fluoride ground
water being used over years.
The Network’s Water Project
The Network for Consumer Protection is a not for profit advocacy organization working to safeguard
consumers interest in Pakistan. Drinking water, a very important determinant of health, is one of the
Advocacy & Research projects of The Network.
The water project works for the universal access to safe drinking water for consumers. The project
undertakes research and advocacy for pro-consumer policies on provision of safe drinking water to
the consumers.
Specific Project Activities
National drinking water policy
There is an obvious need to develop a national drinking water policy outlining national needs,
targets, standards and systems for supply of safe drinking water to consumers. Such a policy shall
provide direction to and strengthen local governments to perform their work for supply of drinking
water. The policy should also address the problems faced by the rural consumers.
Working with local governments for supply of safe drinking water.
The Network conducts research and provides technical assistance to local governments for supply of
safe drinking water to consumers. TheNetwork also facilitates the local governments in consumers
awareness raising about quality of water and water conservation.
Promulgation of minimal mandatory standards for piped water.
The project advocates for mandatory standards for piped water consumers health. The standardization
helps local government to streamline their water policy operation to deliver safe water to consumers
and will also help consumers and their groups to monitor the water quality being supplied.
Raising consumer awareness about safe drinking water.
Through public media and its own publications, the water project educates consumers on safety and
conversation of drinking water, the project raises consumers support for this important public
health matter.
Research on cost effective solutions for safe drinking water both at public and domestic levels.
The water project conducts research on possible solutions to make drinking water safe both at public
and domestic level. Keeping in view the scarcity of resources both for domestic consumer and public
sector cost effectives are the central part of our research. The project also works out innovative
models to make water safe for drinking.
Charter of Demands
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Develop and adopt a comprehensive national drinking water policy.
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Promulgate minimum standards for supply of safe drinking water.
- Ensure universal access to safe drinking water as peoples right irrespective of their
income level.
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Ensure consumers participation in matter related to water bills.
- Develop and ensure implementation of monitoring system for peoples access to safe drinking water
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Recognize safe drinking water as a public health matter, at a national level and translate it into
policies and action by involving public health professionals in matter related to drinking water management.
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Implementation environmental standards to conserve water, a precious and threatened natural resource.
For further inquiries:
Ms. Rubina Bhatti
Project Coordinator
+92-51-2261085
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