SAFE and clean drinking water is a basic need but it is unfor tunate that majority of our population has no access to it and that they are drinking contaminated water. Even those buying bottled mineral water are not sure whether the water they are gulping is safe or good for their health. The issue has once again been painted by the quarterly monitoring report of Pakistan Council of Research inWater Resources (PCRWR), revealing that six brands of bottled and mineral water are selling unsafe water for public consumption. The poor quality of drinking water forces compel people especially those who can afford buying this bottled water but what they are getting in return is only contamination and diseases. According to a study, 45% of infant deaths occur due to diarrhoea and about 60% to overall infectious waterborne diseases in Pakistan. This situation really warrants serious actions on the part of authorities concerned to ensure provision and supply of clean drinking water to the people. The quarterly monitoring by PCRWR of these brands is useless unless it is accompanied by some punitive action against the companies selling unfit drinking water. Those selling contaminated water should not only be slapped with heavy fines but also banned from operations. Such a strict action indeed will compel these companies or others considering joining the bottled water industry to put their house in order. According to the latest World Bank Report, as many as 64% of Pakistanis are deprived of their access to safe and clean drinking water. Majority of them are those who cannot afford the bottled water. Therefore it is important that the federal and provincial governments launch a comprehensive clean drinking water projects in urban and rural areas of the country under which filtration plants be set up in each locality. Their repair and proper maintenance in a timely manner should be ensured by the civic bodies or the local governments. Provision of safe drinking water, basic sanitation and proper hygiene will help reduce burden of diseases and lead to improved health, poverty reduction and social economic development.
