Water Supply and Sanitation in Pakistan

Water Supply And Sanitation In Pakistan

This page has last been substantially updated in November 2012.

Pakistan: Water and Sanitation
Data
Water coverage (broad definition) 92% (2010)
Sanitation coverage (broad definition) 48% (2010)
Continuity of supply (%) Mostly intermittent in urban areas
Average urban water use (l/c/d) Karachi: 197 (2001)
Average urban water tariff (US$/m³) Karachi: 0.09 (2012)
Share of household metering Low
Annual investment in WSS Scheduled: US$2.66 per capita (2005–2010)
Share of self-financing by utilities Low
Share of tax-financing n/a
Share of external financing n/a
Institutions
Decentralization to municipalities Yes, since 2001
National water and sanitation company None
Water and sanitation regulator None
Responsibility for policy setting Ministry of Climate Change (formerly called Ministry of Environment)
Sector law None
Number of urban service providers n/a
Number of rural service providers n/a

Drinking water supply and sanitation in Pakistan is characterized by some achievements and many challenges. Despite high population growth the country has increased the share of the population with access to an improved water source from 85% in 1990 to 92% in 2010, although this does not necessarily mean that the water from these sources is safe to drink. The share with access to improved sanitation increased from 27% to 48% during the same period, according to the Joint Monitoring Program for Water Supply and Sanitation. There has also been considerable innovation at the grass-root level, in particular concerning sanitation. The Orangi Pilot Project in Karachi and community-led total sanitation in rural areas are two examples of such innovation.

However, the sector still faces major challenges. The quality of the services is poor, as evidenced by intermittent water supply in urban areas and limited wastewater treatment. Poor drinking water quality and sanitation lead to major outbreaks of waterborne diseases. major outbreaks of waterborne diseases swept the cities of Faisalabad, Karachi, Lahore and Peshawar in 2006. Estimates indicate that each year, more than three million Pakistanis become infected with waterborne diseases. In addition, many service providers do not even cover the costs of operation and maintenance due to low tariffs and poor efficiency. Consequently, the service providers strongly depend on government subsidies and external funding. A National Sanitation Policy and a National Drinking Water Policy have been approved in 2006 and 2009 respectively with the objective to improve water and sanitation coverage and quality. However, the level of annual investment (US$4/capita) still remains much below what would be necessary to achieve a significant increase in access and service quality.

Read more about Water Supply And Sanitation In Pakistan:  Access, Impact of Inadequate Sanitation, Service Quality, History and Recent Developments, Innovative Approaches, Efficiency of Utilities, External Cooperation, See Also

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