Water Safety Plan for Rural Areas of Gilgit-Baltistan : A Case Study of Dassu and Hoto, Shigar Valley, Skardu, Pakistan (T-1295) (MFN 5054)

Abstract

Rapid population growth leads rapid depletion of natural resources. This also causes hurdles in access of the remained resources. Water shortage is a severe issue in Pakistan and its access in the remote hilly areas. As the provision of clean drinking water is a fundamental human right and is essential to life, health and dignity. Having no access to water and sanitation is a courteous expression for a form of deprivation that threatens life, destroys opportunity and undermines human dignity. Access to safe drinking water, adequate sanitation and personal hygiene are vital for the sustainable environmental conditions and reducing water borne diseases. This study is conducted to assess the existing status of local water supply system in rural areas of Gilgit Baltistan, Pakistan, to gain local knowledge of existing safe drinking water, sanitation, health and hygiene situation through gap analysis and risk assessment and to propose a suitable water safety plan to overcome this problem. This study found that the water supply system exists in both the villages and both water supplies were funded through SEED project. These water supplies were constructed by local support organization with the help of AKRSP. According to survey 59% of the community in Dassu is below primary education and in Hoto ratio drops down to 90%. In comparatively to Hoto high level of diarrhea cases were reported in dassu village, 71% of children in Dassu became victim of diarrhea. The water analyses shows that the water quality of Dassu water supply was not up to drinking standards. High count of Ecoli found in Dassu water supply system at different point including source. At source of Dassu water supply the average count of E.coli was 42.22 per 100ml and at the end of the channel average count of E.coli was 11666.66 per 100ml. The key findings of the study conclude that there exists a low level of awareness about safe drinking water practices as there is negligibly low level of monitoring on the water supply system and quality control by the population and CBOs and other concerned departments. Therefore people of Dassu were utilizing contaminated water which was causing water borne diseases in the area, whereas water from Hoto water supply system is good for drinking.