Millions lack safe drinking water in Punjab
The Punjab Municipal Development Fund Company's General Manager, Adnan Nisar, has revealed alarming findings regarding water safety in Punjab.
Out of 96 drinking water samples collected by UNICEF officials across seven cities, 50 were deemed unsafe due to bacterial contamination and high levels of chloride and fluoride.
These samples were taken from Faisalabad (12), Gujranwala (11), Gujrat (9), Kasur (10), Lahore (25), Multan (16), and Rawalpindi (13), highlighting significant water quality issues across the province.
Speaking to the media, Zahid Aziz, CEO of Punjab Saf Pani Company, detailed efforts to address the water crisis.
He announced the successful installation of 1,000 water filtration plants at key dispensing points across Punjab, as well as the introduction of containerized surface water treatment and packaged plants along canal systems.
These initiatives align with Sustainable Development Goal 6, which targets universal access to clean water and sanitation by 2030.
Aziz noted that their conventional treatment methods in Tehsil Chak Jumrah, Faisalabad, have received international acclaim and are being replicated in rural areas across Pakistan.
In Southern Punjab, ultra-filtration hand pumps have been installed to provide safe drinking water, while containerized solar-powered water plants are also being deployed.
Cluster-based solarized water supply systems have been introduced in Rajanpur to meet local needs. The Saf Pani Company is also the first government entity in Punjab to acquire carbon credits, signalling its commitment to environmentally sustainable practices.
Aziz, who also serves as Chairman of the Pakistan Water Operators Network (PWON), provided a stark overview of water access in Punjab.
Out of the province's 127.67 million population, only 59.54 million have access to water facilities, leaving 68.13 million unserved.
On funding, Aziz mentioned that the Asian Development Bank (ADB) is investing USD 250 million to improve water supply and municipal infrastructure in Sialkot and Sahiwal, while the World Bank is providing USD 553 million to enhance rural water services in 16 tehsils through a multi-village approach.
Contaminations such as arsenic, fluoride, and nitrate have been identified in districts including Attock, Rawalpindi, Chakwal, Jhelum, Khushab, Jhang, and Rajanpur, raising serious concerns. Aziz emphasized the need for urgent action, highlighting future solutions such as private partnerships, water metering, improved distribution networks, and the operation and maintenance of water infrastructure through outsourcing.
"We must act collectively to transform the water scenario in Punjab," Aziz said, stressing the importance of fostering cooperation and adopting innovative solutions to ensure safe water for all.