Current situation

Because of interventions by NGOs and the government the situation with water supply has improved over the years. A report in 1989 concluded that 27% of the rural population had access to tap water supply (World Bank, 1989), but the more recent situation is presented in the following table. It shows that at present a greater number of rural households have access to tap water, and in fact, tap water has now become the biggest source of drinking water in area villages.

Table . Main sources of drinking water for rural households in the Northern Areas – 1998-99

Source: Social Action Program: SAPP mid term review

However, it is also reported that many of the water supply systems are either out of order or need substantial rehabilitation and repair, so that in actuality only about 20% of the rural households may have access to piped water (GoP&IUCN, 2003).

The quality of water remains a concern. It is estimated that only 16% of the population of this region has access to safe drinking water (SAP, 2000) but WASEP has done much to improve things in this regard. Its stated goal is to reduce water borne diseases and to cut diarrhoeal morbidity by half. It is also helping in bringing greater sanitation to the area. The following data show how the rural situation stands in this regard. Although the numbers are low, they are still an improvement over the past.

Table . Access of rural population to clean water and sanitation 1998-99

Source: Social Action Program: SAPP mid term review

Over the last two decades many government and non-government organizations have been involved in water supply and development schemes. Below is presented a summary of their work supplied by WASEP.

Table. Major government and non-government water supply schemes in Northern Areas and Chitral by 2001 – a summary

Source: WASEP. 2001. Drinking water status in Northern Pakistan. Draft report.