Pakistan's Water Pollution: Understanding The Crisis

Water pollution is a critical threat to public health in Pakistan. The country is facing an economic crisis and a physical shortage of water, with water quality and quantity decreasing due to a growing population and climate change. Pakistan is ranked as a “water-stressed” country and is likely to become water-scarce in the near future. Water pollution in Pakistan is caused by a combination of natural and human factors, including the improper disposal of municipal and industrial waste, the use of herbicides and pesticides, oil refining, coal mining, and the lack of water treatment and quality monitoring at plants. The contamination of water due to microbes and the intermixing of sewer lines with drinking water supply lines are also significant issues. These factors have led to the spread of waterborne diseases, with about 50% of diseases and 40% of deaths in Pakistan attributed to poor drinking water quality.

Population growth and industrialisation

Pakistan is facing a critical water shortage and pollution crisis. The country's water quantity has decreased by 400 from 5,600 cubic meters in 1947 to 1,038 cubic meters in 2021. This, combined with the country's rapid population growth, has put immense pressure on its limited freshwater sources.

The pressure on water resources is further exacerbated by the unsustainable consumption of water in industry and agriculture. Water pollution in Pakistan is mainly caused by the heavy utilisation of water for domestic, agricultural, and industrial purposes. The main sources of water pollution in the country are the addition of municipal sewage and industrial wastewater at different points of the water distribution network, as well as the lack of water disinfection and water quality monitoring at treatment plants.

The primary source of contamination is sewerage (fecal) which is extensively discharged into drinking water system supplies. This is due to the intermixing of sewer lines with drinking water supply lines. In rural areas, surface water is used for drinking after slow sand filtration, and chlorination is often not done at filtration stations. In addition, no pre-treatment facilities are available for filtration of water in most rural areas.

The secondary source of pollution is the disposal of toxic chemicals from industrial effluents, pesticides, and fertilizers from agriculture sources into water bodies. Industrialisation and urbanisation have also contributed to water pollution in Pakistan, with large amounts of wastewater and toxic effluents flowing directly from urban areas into water sources. The River Ravi, for example, has been heavily polluted by human and industrial waste, as well as pharmaceutical pollution from drugs such as paracetamol, nicotine, and caffeine.

Poor water management

Pakistan is facing a critical water shortage due to a variety of factors, including poor water governance, a lack of storage facilities, and the adverse impacts of climate change. The country's burgeoning population, currently at 225 million and expected to cross 250 million by 2025, is putting immense pressure on water resources. This has resulted in a sharp decline in per capita water availability, with Pakistan being ranked as a "'water-stressed" country that is likely to become "water-scarce" in the near future.

The issue of water scarcity is further exacerbated by the lack of proper water management. Pakistan's water demand is increasing at an average yearly rate of 10%, with a significant gap between demand and supply. The country's water resources are not adequately managed, with a lack of dynamic management and over-extraction contributing to the complex scenario of limited water availability. The rising population, coupled with increasing water demand for agriculture, industry, and domestic use, is outpacing the supply, leading to a water crisis.

The quality of drinking water in Pakistan is also a major concern. Contaminated water has become a buzzword in the country, with about 80% of the population forced to consume unsafe water. The primary sources of contamination are sewage (fecal) and the disposal of toxic chemicals, including heavy metals, from industrial effluents, pesticides, and fertilizers from agricultural sources into water bodies. The underground water sources, which many rely on for drinking, have been contaminated with waste materials such as arsenic, iron, fluoride, and bacteria, posing significant health risks.

The inadequate implementation of policies and the lack of efficient wastewater treatment plants further contribute to the water pollution crisis in Pakistan. The disposal of untreated wastewater and industrial effluents directly into rivers and water channels poses a significant threat to water quality, ecosystems, and public health. The water supply distribution system and waste treatment plant system are not properly managed, and the treatment plants themselves are lacking.

To address these challenges, comprehensive frameworks for water resource management have been proposed, emphasizing national water policies, infrastructure development, and climate change adaptation. Improving institutional strength, raising awareness about water resource management, and implementing treatment and prevention strategies for waterborne diseases are crucial steps towards achieving sustainable water management and ensuring clean and safe water availability for future generations in Pakistan.

Water scarcity

The situation is exacerbated by long droughts and the lack of new water reservoir construction. As a result, per capita water availability is decreasing rapidly, and Pakistan is expected to join the list of countries facing extreme water stress in the near future. This has significant implications for the country's agricultural production and energy generation, as well as the daily lives and food security of its inhabitants.

The scarcity of safe and healthy drinking water sources in Pakistan is a pressing issue. Only about 20% of the population has access to clean drinking water, while the remaining 80% are forced to rely on unsafe alternatives. This disparity is largely due to the contamination of water sources by various pollutants. The primary sources of contamination are sewerage (fecal matter) and the discharge of toxic chemicals from industrial effluents, pesticides, and fertilizers from agricultural sources into water bodies.

The problem of water scarcity is particularly acute in rural areas of Pakistan, such as Tharparkar, Nagarparkar, Chachro, and Mithi, which experience low rainfall. In these regions, women have to travel long distances to collect drinking water from sources like canals, water wells, and tube wells. However, even this water often fails to meet the World Health Organization's (WHO) standards for drinking water quality. Both surface and groundwater sources in these areas are polluted with toxic metals, pesticides, and coliforms, posing significant health risks to the population.

The government of Pakistan has demonstrated a strong commitment to providing clean drinking water to its citizens and has implemented policies such as the use of smart technology for irrigation to conserve water resources. However, the effective implementation of these policies remains a challenging task.

Natural factors

Water pollution in Pakistan is a critical issue, with only about 20% of the population having access to clean drinking water. The remaining 80% are forced to consume contaminated water due to a scarcity of safe and healthy drinking water sources. While the primary sources of water pollution in Pakistan are anthropogenic activities, natural factors also play a significant role in deteriorating water quality.

Water Scarcity

Pakistan is facing an economic crisis along with a physical shortage of water. The country has essentially exhausted its available water resources and is already considered "water-stressed." It is projected to face extreme water scarcity in the near future. The water precipitation rate is lower than the evaporation rate, leading to a continuous decrease in water quantity in rivers and lakes and a depletion of groundwater. Long droughts and the lack of new water reservoir construction further aggravate the situation. The per capita water availability in the country has decreased significantly over the years.

Climate Change

Climate change is another natural factor contributing to water pollution in Pakistan. The increase in temperature affects the quality of drinking water sources. Additionally, the changing climate has led to higher temperatures, which can bring water temperatures to the threshold of what is suitable for drinking.

Geological Factors

Geological and natural factors, such as chemicals in the soil and bedrock, contribute to water pollution in Pakistan. The deterioration of water quality is due to the presence of chemicals, heavy metals, and nutrients like phosphorus and lead. The most persistent water quality problem worldwide is eutrophication, which is the presence of high volumes of phosphorus and lead in water, making it contaminated and unsuitable for drinking.

Microbial Contamination

Microbial contamination is a significant issue in Pakistan's water supplies. The intermixing of sewer lines with drinking water supply lines leads to the presence of pathogens, including viral, bacterial, and protozoan agents. This contamination is responsible for waterborne diseases such as typhoid, giardiasis, intestinal worms, diarrhea, cryptosporidium infections, and gastroenteritis. Infant deaths caused by water-related diarrhea are the highest in Asia, according to the International Union on Conservation of Nature (IUCN) report.

Inadequate infrastructure

Groundwater, which is the primary source of drinking water in most Pakistani cities, is vulnerable to contamination from various sources. One major issue is the intermixing of sewer lines with drinking water supply lines, leading to bacteriological contamination. Untreated sewage effluents are discharged into surface water resources, further exacerbating the problem. The lack of proper wastewater treatment facilities and the direct discharge of sewage into water bodies contribute to the high levels of bacterial and viral contamination in drinking water sources.

In rural areas, the situation is even more dire. Surface water, which is often the only available source of drinking water, is not adequately treated before consumption. Slow sand filtration and chlorination are rarely practiced, and most rural areas lack pre-treatment facilities for water filtration. This makes the water susceptible to microbial contamination, particularly during flooding and surface runoff. The absence of adequate infrastructure for water treatment puts rural communities at a higher risk of waterborne diseases.

Furthermore, the increasing industrialization and agricultural activities in Pakistan have led to the discharge of toxic chemicals, heavy metals, and agrochemicals into water bodies. Industrial effluents containing organic chemicals, oil refining by-products, and coal mining waste are released into rivers and lakes without proper treatment. The excessive use of pesticides, fertilizers, and herbicides in agriculture also contributes to water pollution, making it unsafe for human consumption.

The inadequate infrastructure for water treatment and the lack of effective wastewater management systems in Pakistan have severe health implications. Waterborne diseases, such as typhoid, diarrhoea, and gastroenteritis, are prevalent, with infant deaths caused by water-related diarrhoea being the highest in Asia. The consumption of contaminated water has led to various health issues, including skin diseases and cancers, posing a significant threat to public health in the country.

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