Pakistan Bulletin

An up-to-date and informed analyses of key issues of Pakistan.

The State of Water in Pakistan: A Qualitative Analysis

July 2024

Pakistan’s water related issues are multifaceted and require holistic and integrated solutions.

Water is a vital resource for any nation’s growth and prosperity, impacting public health, agriculture, industry, and socio-economic growth. In Pakistan, challenges such as water scarcity, poor water quality, and inadequate water infrastructure has led to significant economic and social problems. According to the Pakistan Institute of Development Economics, only 36% of the overall population of Pakistan has access to safe drinking water, meaning that millions of people in the country are suffering from water related issues.
Pakistan’s water sources include natural resources like rainfall, rivers, lakes, and groundwater, as well as artificial means such as dams and reservoirs. The Indus River system is the primary water source, supporting a vast irrigation network. However, over-extraction, pollution, and inadequate storage infrastructure challenge water management. The country’s storage capacity is inadequate, storing only enough water to last 30 days, well below international standards.
In Pakistan, the primary body responsible for overseeing water quality standards is the Pakistan Environmental Protection Agency (Pak-EPA). Established under the Pakistan Environmental Protection Act of 1997, Pak-EPA provides the legal framework for environmental protection, including the management of water quality. The agency formulates and enforces policies such as the National Environmental Policy (NEP) 2005, which aims to safeguard and preserve Pakistan’s environment and water resources. Pak-EPA sets water quality standards through the National Environmental Quality Standards (NEQS), monitors water quality, and enforces regulations by conducting inspections and taking action against violations.

In Pakistan, challenges such as water scarcity, poor water quality, and inadequate water infrastructure has led to significant economic and social problems.

Despite the regulatory framework, inconsistent implementation and enforcement have led to many regions failing to meet water quality standards. The Pak-EPA faces several challenges that hinders its effectiveness. Weak enforcement mechanisms result in widespread non-compliance by industries and municipalities, exacerbating water pollution. Inadequate wastewater treatment infrastructure allows untreated wastewater to enter water bodies. The absence of comprehensive, up-to-date water quality data hampers pollution assessments and corrective measures. Additionally, poor coordination between the Pak-EPA and other agencies leads to fragmented and ineffective water management efforts.
Key Issues
The key issues impacting water quality and scarcity are complex and demand comprehensive solutions. According to Worldwide Fund for Nature (WWF) Pakistan in 2017, industrial pollution is a major concern, with untreated industrial waste introducing high levels of heavy metals and chemicals into water bodies. The Food and Agriculture Organization highlighted in 2020 that agricultural runoff, due to excessive use of fertilizers and pesticides, contaminates drinking water and disrupts aquatic ecosystems. Additionally, the International Water Management Institute reported in 2018 that irrigation practices often lead to soil salinization, which then affects groundwater salinity. Compounding these issues is inadequate infrastructure: outdated water supply and sanitation systems fail to accommodate growing populations, causing frequent pipe leakages and cross-contamination between sewage and drinking water lines. UNICEF reported in 2021 that the absence of proper sewage treatment facilities worsens the problem by allowing untreated sewage to enter water bodies.
The Pakistan Council of Research in Water Resources, indicates that natural contaminants such as arsenic and fluoride in groundwater pose significant health risks, leading to dental and skeletal fluorosis among affected populations. Efforts to address this issue, including the installation of arsenic removal units and the promotion of alternative water sources, have been insufficient and poorly maintained, leaving many residents vulnerable to arsenic exposure according to this source, especially in Sindh and Punjab.
Moreover, rapid population growth and urbanization further strain water resources, with Pakistan’s population projected to reach 338 million by 2050, exacerbating the demand for water without corresponding increases in supply. Climate change plays a critical role, with Pakistan being highly vulnerable to impacts such as erratic monsoon patterns, receding glaciers, and an increased frequency of floods and droughts. These events disrupt water availability and affect agricultural productivity.
Poor water management contributes significantly to the crisis, with inefficient agricultural practices, outdated irrigation infrastructure, and mismanagement of resources leading to considerable water wastage. Only a fraction of water diverted for agriculture reaches crops due to leakage and inefficient distribution systems. The overuse of groundwater, particularly in the Indus Basin, has led to its depletion, further exacerbating the situation. Agriculture, which accounts for 94% of water withdrawals, heavily depends on groundwater. Water pollution from industrial discharge and inadequate sanitation infrastructure poses severe health risks, making waterborne diseases prevalent and affecting a significant portion of the population.

Climate change plays a critical role in Pakistan’s water troubles. Climate risk of erratic monsoon patterns, receding glaciers, and an increased frequency of floods and droughts disrupt water availability and affect agricultural productivity.

Impacts

Pakistan’s water crisis has far-reaching impacts. Health is severely affected, with water scarcity and poor quality leading to diseases such as diarrhea, cholera, and hepatitis, placing a heavy burden on the healthcare system. Inadequate water and sanitation facilities contributed to an estimated 60,000 premature deaths in 2017.

Economic growth is also impeded by water scarcity, which reduces agricultural productivity, causing food insecurity and economic instability. Furthermore, inefficient water use results in environmental degradation, harming ecosystems and biodiversity. This environmental stress can exacerbate social unrest and conflicts over water rights.

Possible solutions and recommendations for addressing Pakistan’s water crisis include several key measures. Improving water governance will ensure coordination among water-related institutions, thereby increasing the effective implementation of regulations. Strengthening regulatory frameworks to monitor water quality and enforce regulations is crucial; this includes conducting regular inspections, penalizing non-compliant industries, and ensuring that all wastewater is treated before being discharged. Promoting water conservation measures through public awareness campaigns, capacity building, and community engagement is also essential. Equitable water allocation can be achieved by incorporating climate change considerations into water management policies and adopting efficient water pricing mechanisms. Reallocating water resources from the agricultural sector to other sectors will help balance water use and promote sustainable management practices. Finally, investing in infrastructure to improve water storage, distribution, and treatment facilities is vital to ensuring access to clean water for all.

Fatimeh Munawar

Author

Fatimeh Munawar has a Bachelors in Economics from LUMS.

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