ISLAMABAD, Aug 16 (ABC): Water-testing equipment has been installed in 46 laboratories across Islamabad, Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, while nine mobile laboratories have become operational under an initiative to strengthen drinking-water quality monitoring and surveillance.
According to documents available with Wealth Pakistan, the initiative has strengthened water-quality monitoring, surveillance and management systems in line with Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 6. It has also focused on improving institutional and policy arrangements for safe drinking water.
The project has built the capacity of relevant federal and provincial institutions for water-quality monitoring and testing.
Technical staff have received training and equipment to conduct water-quality tests and surveys. The capacity-building measures aim to improve regular monitoring and enable authorities to identify water-quality problems more effectively.
Islamabad filtration plants assessed
As part of the initiative, authorities have conducted water-quality assessments at all filtration plants in Islamabad in collaboration with the Capital Development Authority (CDA).
Filters were also replaced at plants where assessments identified the need for changes.
The project has developed a country report containing recommendations to improve Pakistan’s legal and administrative systems related to SDG 6 and water resources management.
An action plan has also been prepared for smart water management in Islamabad’s water-supply system.
Federal surveillance mechanism being established
According to the documents, authorities are establishing a federal-level water-quality surveillance mechanism through comprehensive knowledge management, monitoring, evaluation and periodic reporting arrangements.
Such a mechanism did not exist before the intervention.
The new system will support Pakistan’s progress towards SDG 6, particularly Target 6.1, which focuses on universal and equitable access to safe and affordable drinking water.
The initiative is also supporting regular reporting on drinking-water quality. The reporting mechanism will help authorities improve service delivery and identify interventions needed to address water-quality problems in target areas.
Centralised monitoring system planned
The project will also support the establishment of a Centralized Quality Assessment and Monitoring System as part of broader efforts to achieve SDG 6.
According to the documents, the initiative will directly benefit marginalised communities in urban and peri-urban municipalities and local government areas in Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
The interventions focus on improving drinking-water quality and expanding access to safe water in the targeted areas.
The project’s implementation is also expected to pave the way for future collaboration with the Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA) and other national and international development partners.
Such cooperation could support additional water, sanitation and hygiene projects in other parts of the country.
