Management of source and drinking-water quality in Pakistan.
Drinking-water quality in both urban and rural areas of Pakistan is not being managed properly. Results of various investigations provide evidence that most of the drinking-water supplies are faecally contaminated. At places groundwater quality is deteriorating due to the naturally occurring subsoil contaminants or to anthropogenic activities. The poor bacteriological quality of drinking-water has frequently resulted in high incidence of waterborne diseases while subsoil contaminants have caused other ailments to consumers. This paper presents a detailed review of drinking-water quality in the country and the consequent health impacts. It identifies various factors contributing to poor water quality and proposes key actions required to ensure safe drinking-water supplies to consumers.
Aziz
J A
JA
Faculty of Civil Engineering, Bahauddin Zakariya University, Multan, Pakistan. jaaziz@hotmail.com
D003140:Communicable Disease Control; D004784:Environmental Monitoring; D062665:Epidemiological Monitoring; D005618:Fresh Water / Q000032:analysis; D017408:Guidelines as Topic; D006301:Health Services Needs and Demand; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D010154:Pakistan / Q000453:epidemiology; D011634:Public Health; D012423:Rural Health; D017751:Safety Management; D014504:Urban Health; D018505:Waste Management; D014871:Water Microbiology / Q000592:standards*; D014876:Water Pollution / Q000032:analysis / Q000517:prevention & control* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D018508:Water Purification / Q000379:methods*; D014881:Water Supply / Q000032:analysis / Q000592:standards*