Jamal A Nasir, Najam Ullah Baig, Faheem Tahir, Muhammad Salman, Nadira Jadoon, Moin Iqbal, Alam Khatoon.
Purview: quality of drinking water in Rawalpindi and Islamabad.
Pak J Med Res Jan ;58(1):41-3.

Pakistan is facing acute water shortage due to climatic changes since last many years, not only for drinking purposes, but also for agriculture and industries.1 Safe drinking water is essential for human health. The supplies of potable water are not only scarce but also gets contaminated before consumption and people are concerned about the un-safe drinking water in most parts of the country. Pakistan is among those few developing countries where access to safe drinking water falls far below satisfactory levels.2 While figures vary significantly, a recent independent study reports that not more than 25% of the population has sustainable access to quality drinking water.3 The quality of drinking water in the capital is expected to be better as compared to other cities; however, the same situation exists in Rawalpindi/Islamabad. Although the capital of Pakistan is having a relatively less polluted environment as compared to other bigger and older cities like Lahore, Karachi, Faisalabad as well as rural areas. During the year 2016, the Environmental Health & Microbiology Laboratories of National Institute of Health Islamabad received 753 water samples for physico-chemical and bacteriological analysis. The present study deliberates upon the water quality in the Rawalpindi/Islamabad and adjoining areas.4

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