44 per cent of the population is without access to clean drinking water
KARACHI: There is an acute shortage of potable water in Pakistan with an estimated 44 per cent of the population without access to clean drinking water and its shortage is increasing by the day. In rural areas, 90 per cent of people don’t have access to this basic necessity of life.
The threat of clean drinking water scarcity contains one of the biggest challenges to Pakistan’s survival. This threat is very dangerous as it has been taking millions of lives, especially those of children. It is estimated that about 200,000 children in Pakistan die every year of diarrhea diseases alone, according to a report of Pakistan Council of Research in Water Resources (PCRWR). By the end of the year 2020, the population of Karachi is expected to be approximately 23 million and the demand of water would be 1242 MGD (54 GPCD). And the shortfall of water will be of 600 MGD (2700 ml/day).
A majority of the population is using groundwater for drinking purposes. Contamination of this source due to unplanned urbanisation and industrialisation is a major problem. Exploitation of the natural resources and discharge of hazardous waste into water bodies without proper treatment is one of the major concerns.
Clean water should be provided to everyone especially those in rural settings. The government should take all possible steps to resolve the water shortage problem and ensure that clean drinking water is provided to all citizens.
Javeria Bano
Published in The Express Tribune, March 27th, 2017.
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