Water Pollution: High fecal contamination detected in Lahore. The information was released after the first phase of Water Quality Mapping Project was completed in Lahore. The Water Quality Mapping Project was conducted by Action Research Collective.

Action Research Collective (ARC) is a volunteer-run organization in Pakistan that bridges the gap between grassroots organizations & global scholars to enhance the impact of research & equip action with evidence. We focus on healthcare, environment, education & labor dignity & strive for equity in cities.

ARC collected and analyzed water samples from over 400 locations and discovered 6 major E.coli hotspots in the city. The fecal contamination was detected in water samples in 6 regions across the city. Moreover, ARC claims that fecal contamination was detected in Chungi Ammar Sidhu, Charar, Kirianwala, Kharas Mohalla, Mustafaabad, and Kot Khawaja Saeed.

The most appalling fact is the high prevalence of water-borne diseases in these areas. ARC surveyed 200 households in Chungi and found that 37% of people had diarrhea or skin infections in the past two weeks. On the other hand, water samples collected from affluent areas like DHA, Model Town, Gulberg, and Bahria Town were free from E.coli contamination. ARC claims that mainly low-income neighborhoods of Lahore are facing these issues.

Water Pollution in Lahore

The Environment Protection Department of the Government of Punjab identifies disposal of untreated municipal liquid waste, leaking of sewage lines and industrial waste water as major causes of water pollution in Punjab Province.

Interestingly, ARC is moving on to the next phase of research to assess water quality in these areas by collecting a larger number of samples. The organization has already conducted an extensive study of Chungi Ammar Sidhu. It found out that 45% of the 72 samples it collected were contaminated with E.coli. ARC is also working on detecting the points of contamination in these neighborhoods.

Significantly, the research provides a key insight to development organization, the NGOs, philanthropists and the federal and provincial governments to take appropriate health and sanitation initiatives in specific localities.

The US Government’s National Center for Biotechnology Information ranks Pakistan drinking water quality at number 80 among 122 nations. Moreover, it claims that both surface and groundwater are contaminated with coliforms, toxic metals and pesticides throughout the country. Various drinking water quality parameters set by WHO are frequently violated.

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In 2019, Fluence, a Global Water and Waste Water Solutions company published a report titled, Pakistan facing deadly water contamination. Further, it claimed that 40% of all deaths in Pakistan are caused by ingesting contaminated water. It further claims that the water contamination is due to water filled with industrial waste, arsenic, diseases, and sewage.