Alarming statistics: 50% diseases in K-P caused by contaminated water

Water quality monitoring laboratories established in various districts

PESHAWAR: Over 50% diseases in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa are caused by drinking of contaminated water which can trigger fatal diseases. This was stated in a handout issued by the provincial government.

“The government has completed a number of projects through which clean drinking water is being provided to a majority of areas,” the document stated. As per the handout, 140 clean water supply schemes were completed during the last three years.

“Meanwhile, 242 new water supply systems were installed throughout the province,”

According to the document, rusted and worn-out pipelines were also replaced in 485 water supply schemes. “At least 253 existing non-functional schemes were made operational throughout the province,” the handout added.

Going solar

The statement added 130 water supply schemes have been solarised.

“Work on the solarisation of 200 water supply schemes is in progress,” the handout added. “Similarly, 233 sanitation schemes were also completed throughout the province.” The government has also established water quality monitoring laboratories in Mardan, Abbottabad, Kohat and DI Khan districts.



In 2013-14, Rs3281.758 million was allocated by the government for 22 development projects aimed at improving access to clean drinking water in the province.

Awareness scheme

The handout added a project to promote health and hygiene has been successfully completed to raise awareness among the public.

“The awareness project will help in educating people and government officers regarding harms of unhygienic water and methods necessary to ensure access to clean drinking water,” the document stated.

The government also planned to launch a water supply scheme for the provincial capital for which a feasibility study has been completed. Another project by the name of ‘Gravity Flow’ has been completed in Abbottabad.

Published in The Express Tribune, September 12^th, 2016.