IT seems that there is no end to Pakistan’s water-related woes. But while we grapple with issues of water scarcity at a time of extreme climatic events and extreme politicking, water contamination continues to heavily burden the country’s health and economy. A recent detailed report by the World Bank confirms the correlation between poor sanitation and stunting in the nation’s children. Pakistan has one of the highest rates of stunting in the world. More than half of its under-five population suffers from stunting or wasting. According to the latest National Nutrition Survey figures, the rate of stunting in the country was 44pc — the third highest in the world. Despite making progress in reducing poverty over the past 15 years, despite better access to primary healthcare, despite success in combating other diseases such as polio, and despite a decline in open defecation, the rates of stunting have not declined. The report claims that the major cause is the mishandling of fecal waste due to the lack of proper sewerage systems and open drains across the country. Lab tests reveal high rates of E. coli in ground and surface water, which is believed by some to permanently damage the small intestines of children, making it difficult for them to absorb the nutrients necessary for growth. Untreated fecal sludge and waste water mix with ground and surface water which finds its way into the irrigation system, while also contaminating the soil.

As urban and semi-urban areas deal with the hazard of open drains, the situation is even worse in the rural areas. It is believed that around 42pc of households in rural Punjab, 60pc in rural KP, and 82 pc in rural Sindh and Balochistan have virtually no drainage systems. There is also the issue of industrial, agricultural and municipal waste being dumped in canals and freshwater sources. With the population having swollen to 207m and expected to increase to 395m by 2047, the demand for clean water and proper sanitation will keep rising. And yet there is inadequate investment in the sector. Currently, water and sanitation come under the same budget. Experts complain that the vast majority of spending goes towards the supply of water, while less than 10pc is allocated for sanitation services. Local administrations need to be involved in overseeing water and sanitation designs, while areas with high rates of stunting and malnutrition must be prioritised for better services.

Published in Dawn, November 10th, 2018