Pakistan is facing a severe and complex challenge regarding access to clean and safe drinking water, particularly in rural and remote areas. The country faces an immense shortage of water, while contaminated sources spread water-borne diseases, leading to 53,000 annual deaths of Pakistani children under the age of five due to diarrhea, as reported by UNICEF. The current state of access to clean water in Pakistan makes it one of the countries facing the worst water crises globally. Poor management of water resources, insufficient investment in infrastructure, existing water sources' pollution and climate change-induced water scarcity are major contributors to this conundrum.
One of the main concerns is linked to the insufficient investment in infrastructure projects, which results in limited access to clean water sources. The installation of tube wells is common in many rural areas, but due to absence of maintenance, they often get contaminated by arsenic and other pollutants. Shockingly, 70% of households still drink bacterially contaminated water across Pakistan. Concentration of contaminants in water also affects the agricultural yield, as farmers use contaminated water to irrigate crops. Such a practice results in a vicious cycle of pollution and scarcity of water that gradually worsens over time.
Moreover, Pakistan's heavy reliance on agriculture makes it highly dependent on water, leading to a water crisis. The increasing use of groundwater for irrigation in agriculture has led to a significant fall in the water table depleting the groundwater sources. Inefficient infrastructure and pollution further add to the water stress of the country. Additionally, Pakistan's lower riparian status and India's 78% provision of its water inflows have complicated the situation further. Two-thirds of available water is being utilized, and one-third is lost or discharged into the sea.
To address the critical issue of water scarcity, a comprehensive and strategic plan is an urgent necessity for sustainable water management in Pakistan. Pakistan is heavily reliant on glacier meltwater and monsoon rains to meet its water needs, while climate change has exacerbated water scarcity due to rising temperatures and irregular rainfall patterns, especially in arid and semi-arid regions. A multi-pronged approach: including investment in infrastructure, conservation, promotion of water-efficient technologies, and improved sanitation is needed to address this issue, besides raising public awareness, enforcing regulations, and preventing water pollution simultaneously.
Rainwater harvesting is an ecosystem-based approach to water management that provides an alternative water source to poor communities in Pakistan. Encouraging the hygienic collection, storage, and treatment of rainwater can ensure access to clean and safe drinking water in these communities. Rainwater harvesting involves use of gutters, downspouts, and other collection mechanisms that channel the collected water into storage systems. Benefits include water conservation, reduced stormwater runoff, and reduced demand for municipal water supplies. The government of Pakistan has introduced programs to promote rainwater harvesting, including subsidies, large-scale storage infrastructure, and encouraging farmers to collect water for irrigation.
Sustainable water management practices can alleviate water scarcity issues in the country, and policies may include promoting rainwater harvesting, constructing recharge structures, regulating groundwater extraction, monitoring and assessing groundwater, and encouraging public participation. Improved water treatment and management processes are also necessary to prevent and remove water source contamination. Proper wastewater management practices are critical to protecting and sustaining the country's water resources.
Ensuring clean and safe drinking water is not a privilege but a basic human right, and Pakistan must take decisive action to achieve this goal for its citizens. With almost 30 million people lacking access to clean water, it is crucial to educate people about collecting and storing rainwater safely. Contamination of existing water sources has increased due to untreated sewage, waste discharge, industrial pollution, and agricultural activities, with only 7.7% of wastewater being treated, increasing environmental degradation and the spread of water-borne diseases. Proper wastewater management practices are also critical to protect the country's water resources.
The government of Pakistan has initiated several programs to promote rainwater harvesting across the country. These initiatives include provision of subsidies for the installation of rainwater harvesting systems in households and commercial buildings, building large-scale water storage infrastructure, and encouraging farmers to collect and store rainwater for irrigation. However, there is a need for increased public awareness and private-sector involvement in promoting rainwater harvesting in the country.
In conclusion, Pakistan’s water crisis requires a comprehensive solution. A strategic plan focusing on sustainable water management practices, including investment in infrastructure, conservation, promotion of water-efficient technologies, and improved sanitation, while also raising public awareness, enforcing regulations, and preventing water pollution, is the need of the hour. Proper wastewater management practices are also critical to protecting and sustaining the country's water resources. The benefits of rainwater harvesting and other sustainable water management practices have been well documented and implemented across many countries worldwide. It is time for Pakistan to follow such examples and take the necessary measures to ensure access to clean and safe drinking water for its inhabitants, who rightfully deserve it.
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