This document discusses water scarcity and the water poverty index in Karachi, Pakistan. It provides background on Pakistan's water challenges due to low rainfall and a growing population. Karachi faces severe water shortages, receiving only around 550 million gallons per day when it requires 1,100 MGD. The document outlines reasons for water shortages like leakage, mismanagement, aging infrastructure, and pollution. It discusses impacts like reduced agriculture and issues with Karachi's irregular water supply. The government is taking initiatives to improve supply through projects like the Sindh Cities Improvement Program and the North Sindh Urban Services Corporation.

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“MAKE EVERY DROP OF WATER COUNT”
WATER SCARCITY AND WATER POVERTY
INDEX IN MEGACITY (KARACHI)
PREPARED BY
SYED IJLAL AHMED WALEED

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WATER SCARCITY AND WATER POVERTY INDEX IN KARACHI
MEGACITY
WATER SCARCITY, ITS CAUSES, IMPACTS & REMEDIAL
MEASURES
ABSTRACT
Pakistan is one of the aridest nations in the world because its average annual rainfall is below
240 mm. Despite the population of Pakistan having adapted to low and poorly distributed
rainfall, water scarcity can trigger several severe water-related problems. In addition, Pakistan's
water supply per capita is decreasing quickly owing to the increasing population. Government
is aware of the facts and consideration is given to many policy measures and large-scale
initiatives.
Karachi is one of the world's most water-stressed towns. The town has a population of over 20
million, requiring approximately 1,100 million gallons of water per day (MIGD) but receiving
only around 550 MIGD. The water supply of Karachi comes from two primary sources: Lake
Keenjhar and Dam Hub. Population growth, decreasing rainfall, and resource availability such
as water in the Indus River would further emphasize the city's already alarming water condition.
With two-thirds of the surface of the earth covered by water, it is evident that water is one of
the most significant components responsible for earth life. It is vital not only for life support
but also for socio-economic growth. Water is God's distinctive gift and life's fundamental
requirement. The worldwide climate is changing every day due to the elevated indulgence and
exploitation of humans with nature. As a consequence, water resources are gradually depleting.
The worldwide shortage of fresh water and food security problems linked to the overwhelming
billions of populations required the shift of freshwater from agriculture to other more urgent
uses. The nation has faced the worst ever water shortage crises for many years, as water has
become increasingly scarce for any specified use. The quickly increasing population, escalating
areas of irrigation, and increasing urban & industrialization put more stress on water resources.
Sindh's specific water shortage issue is critical as the end-user and lower riparian on the
irrigation system of the Indus basin.
REASONS / CAUSES OF WATER SHORTAGE
Key dynamics responsible for creating water scarcity are as follows:
1. During transmission, water loss is a severe problem as the town loses 30% of its share from
source to point of use. There is a serious need to solve leakage and a large proportion of
water loss should be reduced to less than 10 percent.
2. Bad Administration and misuse of water.
3. There is a lack of infrastructure in place to recycle water once it is utilized by residents.
4. Weak institutional arrangements with overlapping of roles and responsibilities.
5. Weak coordination mechanisms.
6. The high proportion of non-revenue water.
7. Dysfunctional water supply and sanitation schemes

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8. Aging infrastructure.
9. Water and sanitation schemes driven by political interests- are not demand-driven and not
based on need assessment.
10. Poor water quality from polluted and contaminated sources.
11. Inadequate wastewater treatment facilities.
12. High dependency on surface water is depleting.
REASONS FOR NON-FUNCTIONAL WATER SUPPLY SCHEMES:
1. Lack of funds.
2. Missing/theft/damage of electrical and mechanical components
3. Breakage in transmission/distribution network
4. Shortage of water
5. Lack of interest
6. Community dispute/collection of O&M funds/non-payment of electricity bill
7. Shortage of staff/improper design
8. Low pressure
9. Damage of well
10. Rehabilitation of schemes
11. Flood-affected
ISSUES WITH KARACHI WATER SUPPLY
Karachi faces a persistent water shortage issue in supply to satisfy the ever-increasing demand.
In the region of service management and supply deficiencies in both amount and quality of
water, there are some significant difficulties. Water demand amounts to roughly 752 MGD (in
2005); the production system capability is 646 MGD against this demand, resulting in a
shortage of 106 MGD in bulk supply77. However, the quantity of water provided by the service
to customers stays short by about 35% owing to losses in transmission due to leakage, friction,
and unlawful large-scale diversion or theft. To properly satisfy current demands and demand
by 2020 (when the metropolitan population will rise to 27.5 million), the Indus bulk water
supply and other sources will need to be increased to double the current supply quantity.
Approximately 60% of homes are linked to the network of supply. Water supply is irregular
and unfair under the current circumstances. Water is only provided for a few hours, usually
four hours a day, at very low pressure as well. Unfair allocation marks the scheme of
production as some regions receive more water and some are too small to satisfy their
requirements. Certain places are not attached to the scheme and receive water on payment by
tankers. Water quality is also a severe problem. The existing filtration facilities are not
sufficient to require all supplies to be clarified; approximately 60% of the water is filtered and
the rest is only disinfected by chlorination. In transmission to ending customers, some
contamination may also happen. Improvements in the scheme are dependent on government
funding, as current tariffs produce only inadequate revenue to cover operating and maintenance
costs. Tariff enhancement is related to the consumer population's financial composition in
addition to improving service delivery. Delivery system efficiency is closely linked to
economic viability and associated management problems.
IMPACT OF WATER SHORTAGE:
a. Shortage in cropped lands (Out of 80 Mha, 29 Mha land is cultivable but only 17 Mha

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is hardly canal irrigated yet).
b. Hydro Power - Pakistan has an estimated potential of 40,000 MW of hydropower in
the upper Indus region; we have tapped only 13%. At present, Pakistan has a power
generation capacity of 19246 MW, out of which only 30% is from hydel and nuclear
whereas 70% is from thermal. WAPDA has projected a power requirement of 75149
MW by the year 2025, which can only be achieved by constructing additional storage
dams.
c. Effects of Urbanization / Industries - Water shortage, in turn, is also affecting: - (1)
Availability of water for urban use. (2) Industrial use (3) Flow downstream Kotri.
d. Ground Water - Shortage of surface water has put tremendous pressure on
groundwater. Overdrawing of groundwater by users to compensate for the shortage. In
turn, reduced recharging owing to less percolation. This has resulted rising of saline
water lenses nearer to the ground surface.
e. Effect on National Harmony - The worst impact of water shortage is that it is creating
bitter controversy between provinces, which is affecting national integration and
creating disharmony between provinces.
REMEDIAL MEASURES
1. Increase in water storage reservoirs
2. Preparation of effective water policies
3. Planning and preparation of water budget
4. Management for harvesting seepage as well runoff.
5. Proper use of Irrigation water.
6. Re-use of wastewater for irrigation Effective management
The water resources development is embedded in the socio-economic environment. The
effective development depends upon:
• Development policies are prepared by the state
• Population growth
RECENT INITIATIVES FOR WATER SUPPLY BY GOVERNMENT OF
SINDH
Sindh Cities Improvement Programmed:
The Sindh Cities Improvement Investment Program (SCIP) is an Asian Development Bank
(ADB) funded $400 million for the reform of infrastructure and service delivery. The objective
of recovering and improving water supply, wastewater management, and solid waste (SWM)
services in 20 participating secondary towns through the establishment of government-owned,
professionally run Urban Services Corporations; Reforms of the urban industry, and investment
in infrastructure for water, wastewater, and solid waste management. As the North Sindh Urban
Services Corporation (NSUSC), this was launched.
Northern Sindh Corporation for Urban Services. The North Sindh Urban Services Corporation
was created for the secondary towns of the Sindh Province's Northern cluster under the
Companies Ordinance 1984.

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This Urban Services Corporation seeks to aggregate the water supply, wastewater, and solid
waste management activities of Tehsil Municipal Administration (TMAs) participating in a
single organization to leverage economies of scale, introduce fresh abilities and leadership,
and boost focus on activities, maintenance, and economic management.
Network mapping and planning
 Source identification, development, improvement, and augmentation
 Raw water transmission, storage, and treatment
 Treatment plant rehabilitation
 Treated water storage, transmission, and distribution
 Distribution network and service connection improvement
 Leak detection and reduction; bulk and individual water metering
 Water quality monitoring
 Groundwater testing
 Access current and future water demand
INTRODUCTION
Karachi has a water shortage of about 550 MIGD and existing projects are not adequate to meet
the city's requirement. A way to solve this problem, as suggested in this USP, is by recycling
for industrial use municipal wastewater.
It is recognized that the GoS is already investing in municipal wastewater primary and
secondary treatment, mainly for environmental reasons, and we know that after undergoing a
fundamental amount of therapy, the water is eventually rejected into the ocean.
Moreover, none of the treatment plants (i.e. the current facilities in Haroonabad,
Mehmoodabad, and Mauripur) presently generate income for KWSB, nor is the treated water
from such treatment plants categorized as drinking water in a situation to be used for any
industrial purpose let alone.

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KWSB was separated from Karachi Metropolitan Corporation after the implementation of the
Karachi Water and Sewerage Board Act, 1996 (the KWSB Act), which was previously
responsible for the distribution and retailing of treated water.
Today, KWSB is accountable for producing, transmitting, treating, and distributing drinking
water to Karachi inhabitants in compliance with the KWSB Act.
In addition, KWSB is also accountable for managing Karachi's sewerage system to ensure
hygiene and fundamental environmental protection along with collecting income from such
treated water allocation.
Although the development of large-scale water resources has taken place around the globe,
there is not enough potable water for drinking and canal water for irrigation for the vast
majority of individuals. The allocation of water for drinking purposes is quite appalling in
contemporary times, meanwhile, individuals downstream are not adequately shielded from
floods or catastrophe hits owing to inappropriate leadership. Irrigation is the primary stay of
the economy of Pakistan, about 90 percent of the country's total agricultural production
depends entirely on irrigation. Water resources have played a very significant part in the growth
of land and water storage systems. More than half of the world's population lives in developing
nations, and the poorest of these groups are highly dependent for their livelihood on exploiting
local water resources.
• Agriculture is an important sector in the development of the country, taking a broader
perspective on the contribution of agriculture to gross domestic product and including
associated support services, agriculture accounts for the major portion of the total economy.
• It makes possible in foreign exchange earnings and job employment.
• 70% of the population depends directly upon agriculture.
• Food and fiber is the basic need of the country.
• Improvement in agriculture productivity is a must for food security, at present from 80 Mha
geographical Area, 29.6 Mha is suitable for agriculture, and from that 13.3 Mha is canal
irrigated and 3.5 is rain-fed.
• Agriculture acts as an industry and it is gaining recognition for its importance in combating
widespread rural poverty and acts as stabilizing factor in the national economy. It is clear
from the above facts that it becomes indispensable to manage water resources and
agriculture properly.
LITERATURE REVIEW
Karachi's water shortage has begun to deepen as hot weather comes in Pakistan's megacity.
Citizens were forced to drink contaminated water in many fields. These are Lyari, Baldia,
Orangi, Keamari, Shershah, and Gulistan-e-Johar sections. Despite some city-wide
demonstrations and increasing voice in nearly every meeting at the Sindh Assembly, there is
no respite.
According to a study, leakage causes 40 percent of Karachi's water to be wasted, while District
West faces severe water as Hub Dam's water level is small, Because of the non-desalination
of the water channel from Keenjhar Lake, which is a major source of water for the town, the
town is receiving low water supply to the pumping stations.

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Although our sector has the ability and dimensions to design and manufacture
wastewater/water treatment plants locally, only a small part of industrial wastewater will be
handled and reused. In addition to using seawater for washing purposes, there is a need to
recycle water.
A 1000-gallon water tanker is in Baldia and the cities of Orangi are sold for the mildly brackish
Rs2500. Citizens run from pillar to post to get drinking water in many fields. Citizens buy can
and bottled water in many fields that increase their expenses. Well, people can buy this water,
while poor people cannot buy it because of low revenue. A water bottle of 19 liters costs Rs.40
while a bottle of 13 liters costs Rs.25.
Karachi faces an acute water shortage as despite the passage of a long time the K-IV water
project could not yet be finished. Karachi's population is 14.91 million, showing a rise of 59.8
percent over 19 years. Sindh Chief Minister, however, believes that the federal government
should increase water share from Indus River for Karachi as Karachi houses a four-province
population.
In a study, Karachi Water and Sewerage Board (KWSB) said the complete urban demand of
22 million individuals was 1188 MGD. Karachi's bulk water sources are the Indus River with
a capability of 550 MGD and Hub Dam with a capability of 100 MGD. Indus River's average
water supply has fallen to 450 MGD, while Hub Dam supply has lately fallen to 30-50 MGD.
The town is facing a water shortage of 638 MDG. In this price-hike age, the state requires to
provide immediate drinking water to save people from saltwater torment, water-borne diseases,
and additional water spending.
In the metropolis, it is necessary to guarantee a correct water distribution system by installing
fresh pipelines and removing and repairing old ones, in addition to taking action against water
pilfering. Special water shares need to be raised from the Indus River for the town because
individuals from four provinces of Pakistan live here for multiple reasons including company
and labor.
Climate change causes the country's water shortage and Karachi's worst hit. Climate change
hits Karachi's urban and rural regions the worst. There is also a decrease in rainfall in Karachi
and its outer regions, which has led to a fall in the water level at Hub Dam. It's all due to
climate change. Pakistan is considered one of the climate change-sensitive nations. This
susceptibility is primarily due to its geographical place, demographic circumstances, and
climatic diversity. It is becoming indispensable for Pakistan to build resilience and adaptation
to climate change.
Luckily, environmentally sound techniques are gaining high priority in the dialog and
implementation of frameworks for sustainable development strategy.
Technology Needs Assessment is one of the key steps for Pakistan to identify and assess
climate change adaptation problems to align its adaptation needs and possibilities with its
sustainable development goals and objectives.
In addition, the government has taken various measures to mitigate the effect of climate
change, one of which is Green Pakistan. Under the operation, in the next five years, 100 million
trees would be planted across the nation.
Climate change is a geographical issue and it is a huge task to reduce the hazards created by

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climate change. Pakistan is continuously listed as one of the most vulnerable to climate change
effects due to drought, floods, heatwaves, and glacial lake outbursts in recent centuries by
various climate change vulnerability indices.
The government is aware of this problem and is taking strategic policy and operational
adaptation measures to minimize the impacts of global warming. Further attempts are made to
solve climate change problems by passing legislation, setting norms, and creating and applying
strategies for a safe and vibrant environment. The government's current and suggested policies
would assist tackle climate change problems efficiently.
The significance of WPI can be assessed as the population of the world continues to develop
at a very fast rate owing to the growing trend in socio-economic activity. The metropolitan
population is anticipated to increase to 61% of the world's total population with an average
annual rate of 1.8% per year.
At present, it is estimated that 35 percent and more of the population of Pakistan live in urban
settlements (NIPS, 2000). As a result, its proportion increased from 18 percent in 1951 to 28
percent in 1981 and 32.52 percent in 1998 owing to the continually greater development rate
of the metropolitan population, because of this fast rise in urban population, the problem of
infrastructure management is becoming more critical in mega and big towns. Karachi is a
mega-city complex. Rapid urbanization has made it one of the megacities in the world and has
contributed to its development. In terms of population, land area, and density, compared to
other world cities, the town extends over 3,530 km2 and by population is now one of the ten
biggest towns in the world. Demographically, the town has risen at a high pace and has
expanded dramatically due to the elevated population development. The changes in population
and spatial sprawl/area are depicted in Table.
Table: Karachi Population and Growth
Years Population AGPR (%)
1931 263.565 -----
1941 386.655 3.70
1951 1.068.459 11.50
1961 1.912.598 6.05
1971 3.515.402 5.00
1981 5.437.984 4.96
1998 9.856.318 3.52
2002a
11.364.707 3.02
2005a
15.120.000 4.15
2010b
18.529.000 4.05
2015b
22.594,000 4.05
2020b
27.550.000 3.50
With this fast population development, infrastructure management becomes a complicated job.
There is no doubt that water management on such a big scale is a major challenge. In Karachi,
the Karachi Water & Sewerage Board is accountable for producing, transmitting, treating, and
distributing drinking water to inhabitants of Gadap City, Karachi, managing the sewerage
system to guarantee a hygienic environment, and collecting income for sustainable financial
viability. Water management problems are high in the region of the project. People are
suffering from distinct health problems owing to bad water and sanitation management.
Water Poverty Index (WPI) is defined as “a new holistic tool designed to contribute to more

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effective water management. It combines data on local water resources, access, use, social and
economic capacity, and water-related environmental quality to be used by local people and
water development agencies to monitor progress in the provision of water at the community
level. Water is increasingly seen as one of the most critically strained assets, and a great deal
of attention is now being paid to global water stress and poor people's water needs. Karachi is
Pakistan's biggest town and has many urban slums, water, and other resource-poor regions
including Gadap. Where water management problems are high in the project region and
individuals suffer from various health problems owing to bad water and sanitation
management.
Integrated water management, therefore, requires to use of water resources appropriately while
taking care of many variables for human growth: water for national use, water for agriculture,
water for sectors, and water for ecological maintenance. The WPI enables surveillance of a
mix of water management variables. These include water sources, water access, and use,
human water management ability, and effects on the environment.
For drinking purposes, most individuals in the project fields use piped water and 93% of homes
have access to enhanced piped water. Accordingly, for other reasons, 93% of homes use piped
water.
CAUSES AND CONSEQUENCES
There is no realistic prospect of creating freshwater resources that can be used to meet future
water demands for Karachi, according to the 2005 Japan Inter Cooperation Agency (JICA)
study. Due to elevated costs, desalination is not an alternative either.
1. There is an insatiable demand for municipal water for drinking, sanitation, and industry and
it outstrips supply.
2. Old pipes, lack of proper infrastructure, leakages, unauthorized consumption of water,
illegal unauthorized housing colonies, which later house unregulated small industrial
activities.
3. Use of suction pumps throughout the supply network.
4. Private and illegal connections by boring into the KWSB main lines.
5. The ever-expanding population, housing colonies (both legal and illegal) projected
population of Karachi 2025 is 25 million.
6. Expansion of the city limits, DHA, ever-increasing industrial activities in Port Qasim, more
and more industrial zones, burden the water supply of KWSB.
7. How citizens handle the shortfall of water Due to the over-expansion of the city, not all its
citizens are linked to the KWSB supply line. Alternative sources of water have been created
by the citizens.
8. Personally installed tube wells, bore wells, Small scale water providers, Illegal hydrants,
Bottled water suppliers Unfortunately this water supply is unlawful as it is not regulated
through the KWSB and it contributes a significant percentage to the non-revenue water (i.e.
water used from the KWSB sources but for which it gets no income – only loss in the water
supply).
9. The solution to the water shortage, KWSB Approach KWSB has abrogated its
responsibility to supply clean water to all the citizens. It has approached this perennial
problem by supplying water through hydrants. These private hydrant operators now rule
the water distribution network and KWSB has been reduced in its role as a bulk supplier.

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10. The background of the hydrants was that in 1983, KWSB had a small hydrant system whose
purpose was to supply water for VIP use, Orangi, Baldia, and SITE Town. After completion
of the Hub water supply scheme, KWSB added 100 million gallons daily and the necessity
of hydrants disappeared.
11. Private Hydrants/Tanker Operators. The Real Water Players •KWSB recognizes 22 Legal
Water Hydrants. The Hydrant operators bid to transport water from the KWSB hydrants to
areas within the 5-mile radius of the hydrant. The name was given to the water for which
the private hydrant operator bids is called the General Public Rate (GPS) rate. The most
recent GPS rate 2013 is ranging from Rs.220 to 350/- (for different legal hydrants)
12. Nobody receives GPS levels of water. The personal hydrant operator offers because the
General Public Service (GPS) rate is an eye-wash, the hydrant operator effectively allows
millions of people, selling water at his prices. Hydrant water is purchased free of charge
under three classifications. This is water provided to departments of state, MPAs, MNAs,
Judges, and VIPs. The hydrants provider does not pay the VIP customers for this water, but
KWSB reimburses it by enabling it to take extra water and sell it at its prices commercially.
General Public Service (GPS): The name provided to water is the basis of the
tender/agreement between KWSB and private hydrant providers. Private hydrant operators
also carry water for industry and commercial use. KWSB does not set a price for its travel
and charges the hydrant operator at its will.
13. The adverse effect of having private hydrant operators on water supply, KWSB and
Citizens KWSB has been reduced to a bulk water provider, it has lost its mandate to
distribute water, recycle wastewater and take it as a major utility of Karachi's size.
14. Water is life: It is the responsibility of the state through its various departments/organs to
provide clean potable cheap water to the citizens. KWSB sets a very nominal rate (the GPS
rate) but nowhere is water delivered at this rate because there is no one is to monitor or
regulate the private hydrant operator.
15. The Health and Environmental Impact is to be considered as to whether the water is potable
at most times the reply is negative.
METHODOLOGY
The purpose of the Water Poverty Index is to express an interdisciplinary measure that links
household welfare with water availability and indicates the degree to which water scarcity
impacts on human populations of the project area. Such an index makes it possible to rank
union councils within Gadap town taking into account both physical and socio-economic
factors associated with water scarcity. This enables project implementing authority to monitor
both the resources available and the socio-economic factors which impact access and use of
those resources. The Water Poverty Index is constructed from a series of variables to capture
the essence of what is being measured. This can be done using national-scale data (a top-down
approach), or at a local level, using locally determined values and parameters (a bottom-up
approach). Data for the calculation of WPI were obtained from primary and secondary sources.
Primary data were collected from Gadap Town Community. The WPI comprises of various
elements, such as:
a. Resources
b. Access
c. Capacity
d. Use
e. Environment

11. pg. 11
Therefore, there is the need to improve these indicators which is implicit and outlined in the
table hereunder.
Table: Water Poverty Index Components
WPI Component Variable
Resources (R)
Water resources availability (Variability or reliability of water resources)
Water quality
Integrated Water Resources Management (sustainability criterion)
Access (A)
Access to safe water as a percentage of population
Access to sanitation as a percentage of population
Equity in access (sustainability criterion)
Improved water resources as a percentage of
population Time to collect water
Capacity (C)
Water sector institutional framework
Literacy ratio
Education of head of household
Mortality rate
Handwashing habits
Use (U)
Domestic water consumption rate
Prevalence of water-related diseases
Water use efficiency (sustainability criterion)
Environment (E)
Environmental regulation and management
Water stress. pollution (sustainability criterion)
HYPOTHESIS
Water Quality
For the KWSB water supply, the consumers are assured of its potable and safe drinking quality.
Whereas, water supplied from informal sources does not go through filtrations, treatments,
chlorination, and tests. Generally, water supplied through tankers from sources that are located
in coastal areas, main sewerage lines, and saline soils are unsafe and brackish. The poor quality
of water may also be contaminated with bacteria and therefore, it may be not fit or safe, for
drinking. In the project area, more than three-quarters of respondents were not satisfied with
the quality of water (either piped or tankers) which they are getting. They reiterated that mostly
they get some odorous, brackish dirty water. However, a small number of the male respondents
of UC 4 & 7 appeared satisfied with the quality of the water.
Water Treatment
Water supplied by the KWSB is treated and chlorinated; whereas water supplied through the
vendors and water tankers is drawn from underground sources. The quality of groundwater in
Karachi is very poor, it is contaminated with bacteria, sewerage water, industrial chemical
wastes and, is hard water and also saline. Therefore, to ensure that water was safe for drinking
and other use, its filtration and treatment are essential.
However, at the Union Council, level water is not treated because water filter plants are defunct
in targeted areas. At the household level, the majority of households treat water through
different methods: boiling water, using chlorine (Phitikiri) & Sulphur (Gandakh). Few of them

12. pg. 12
said that they usually did not boil water but when their children became sick, they boiled the
water. Female respondents of UC 7 said that they strained water through a piece of cloth. One
respondent said that she tied cloth on the mouth of the tap
Problems: -- Diseases Caused by Unsafe Drinking Water
In the project area, large segments of populations depend on water supplied by the tankers. The
water is not tested and therefore, there would be huge chances of waterborne diseases.
Moreover, the potentials for occurrences of waterborne diseases from contaminated water
supplied by the tankers also cannot be ruled out.
In the project area, the occurrence and presence of water-borne diseases were confirmed by
respondents who participated in focus group discussions. Mainly diarrhea, stomach pain,
abdominal pain, vomiting, hepatitis, measles, and temperature (fever) were the reported diseases
caused by unsafe drinking water.
Sewerage Problem
For the majority of HH in the village sewerage system was not available. The residents dug
shallow surface drains by themselves for the drainage of filthy waters. Hence, most of the times
water remained stagnant in the streets
Health Status
The issues of water management are high in the project area. People suffer from different health
issues due to poor management of water and sanitation. Around 60% of the total population of
Gadap town is highly vulnerable to Hepatitis B&C, Gastro, Malaria, and other skin and water-
borne diseases. Therefore, a need to improve water access and quality in the area is vibrant,
people with better access to water resources can prove themselves productive in economic and
social activities.
The WPI of different UCs showing the almost same result, different conclusions can be
achieved if a thorough analysis is done focusing either on the five components of the index or
on a specific position within the causal chain. It highlights the fact that “when observed
separately the indicators offer a good view of the situation in that field; and when merged into
one component, more information may be lost than gained” (Komnenic, 2007). But in
comparative analysis of panels, large cities show high water poverty which may be due to the
high population density in these areas. The results lead to the conclusion that there is a need
for proper and thorough planning to manage water resources and water demand within the
cities.
In our project areas, WPI as a tool can be readily used as reference points for the identification,
prioritization, and allocation of resources for overall structural improvements in these UCs.
The tool provides a comparative position for the 3 UCs in terms of inter-acting as well as
intervening Local factors that are associated with the social and economic conditions of the
population. The ready availability of these benchmark data on one hand can be of great help to
conserve project resources and shorten the completion time. On the other hand, these will be
of immense value for future structural planning expansion and developments of human
settlements in the long run and, action planning for immediate redressing, rehabilitation, and
improvement of the dilapidated water and sewerage networks in the UCs.

13. pg. 13
RECOMMENDATION
Given the afro mentioned points, the use of WPI is recommended for areas low in resources
and better water resource management. The WPI can be used as a tool to assist the community
in general and the local officials in particular for water resource management. WPI helps to
understand the dynamics of the local areas, socio-economic conditions of the population, and
identification & intensity of these problems. These indexes enable quick identification of areas
and population clusters for analysis of water situation as well as in-depth & comprehensive
understanding of the constraints in these clusters.
WPI is effectively able to identify the various issues of the people and clusters. Its useful
application can help the policymakers, local government, and community leaders to identify
the population clusters and areas that require the most urgent attention and where there is a
need for immediate attention for water management and resource development on a priority
basis.
WPI in addition to a quick diagnosis of the population clusters and water resources provides
links between Resources, Access, Capacity, Use, and Environment. Therefore, it can be readily
used for various population clusters within the city and for producing WPI maps. These maps
can be used by city policymakers & planners to identify priorities, areas & clusters for
development.
Given the afro mentioned points, the use of WPI is recommended for prioritizing areas low in
resources and for better water management. In our project area, WPI for the three UCs provides
first-hand information to assess each composite element of the WPIs as occurring, concerning
its prevailing socio-economic conditions and interdependent issues of the communities in each
UC. The combined scores as inferred (highest value shows more resource constraints and,
lower value shows lesser constraints in water resources of the study area) identified UCs and
deprived community about its state of the immediate environments, demography, educational
status of the target population and, availability and use of water resources per se.
To mitigate community sufferings in our project areas in general and UC4 in particular, we
need to prioritize project interventions based on the WPI scores by revisiting, reviewing,
redesigning, and launching community-based Public Health & WASH improvement action
plans. These plans have to reflect the immediate course of actions in UC 4 such as improvement
of water supply, reduction of water collection time, provision of water filter plants for
increasing the availability of safe drinking water supply, provision of sewerage lines and
connections together with adequate sanitation services for garbage and other solid waste
collection and disposal. These measures will help in the promotion of health and reduction of
diseases in the target population.
Resources
The population growth rate of Karachi urban, as well as rural areas, is high. The continued
growth has resulted in increased population in the UCs. As a result, there is increased pressure
for resources including water. In the short run, the water resources cannot be increased but by
effective planning and measurements, the gaps can be reduced.
In the project areas, through the planning of new pipeline networks as well as connecting new
HH, the water resource gaps of the target population have been reduced. Together with this,
the installation and use of water filter plants along with water quality tests will ensure the

14. pg. 14
quality and safety of the piped water. At present piped water is available to 87% population of
the target population, through these measurements water availability will increase and the
target population will not purchase water from the water tankers and vendors.
Access:
(a) To Safe Drinking Water
Increase access to safe water to the targeted population so that all the population of UC 4, 6 &
7 will have access to safe drinking water through improved water services. Development of
new water network at community level including rehabilitated water supply schemes in target
UCs and community-managed water filters and rehabilitate pumping stations.
(b) To Sanitation
Increase Access to sanitation to the targeted population through improvements in the awareness
about the existing sewerage networks entailing rehabilitations of depilated pipes and
construction of additional networks for the required sewage connections in target areas where
construction and rehabilitation of water schemes are in progress.
Reduction in Time to Collect Water
Reduction in Time to Collect Water will be achieved through several measures. These will
include rehabilitation of old worn-out water pipes, pumps, and installation of new water pipe
networks & pumps. On one hand providing new connections to the target population
households, implementing water security measures including reduction in line losses, water
theft, and wastages. On the other hand, network monitoring and surveillance by CBOs will help
to ensure adequate water supply and availability to the target population. These measures will
result in reduced water collection time to almost zero minutes for the Households and the
Target population.
Capacity
(a) Water Sector Institutional Framework:
• Placement of Local institutional mechanisms in the shape of project management committees
for monitoring and operating the local Community-based services through capacity building of
the local government officials and CBOs;
(b) Water Policy
• Strong advocacy is recommended for the approval and implementation of Water Policy at the
local levels;
(c)Literacy & Education of Household Heads
• The Literacy rate in UCs is low, there is a need to increase the literacy & knowledge of Lon
water issues in all the three UCs. There is a need for the development of Promotional materials
and distribution among users for creating awareness on water safety, quality and hygiene
issues;
• Training and mobilization of Local CBO representatives along with trained staff from KWSB
and local communities for operating and sustaining water services developed through the
project;
• Training of Selected staff from KWSB on technical issues of water supply schemes along with
selected staff from government and communities trained on leadership and management skills
for better management of water services and collection of water and sewage charges & taxes.

15. pg. 15
• To create awareness, it is required to conducting public forums/events/meetings to highlight
the importance of water-related issues in urban slums, organizing advocacy events to educate,
share experiences, and link up between local communities and other stakeholders.
(d) Mortality
• To reduce mortality from water-borne diseases in the UCs and targeted population it is
recommended to organize and hold community events on Health, Environment & Hygiene for
WASH-related awareness and educating Head of House Holds, school teachers, students, and
other local social organizations for the promotion of Handwashing with soap and, keeping the
environment clean.
Use
(a) Domestic Water Consumption
Water is domestically used for drinking, cooking, bathing, washing, laundry, personal hygiene,
flushing toilet, cleaning household floor, etc. The quantity of water used for each of these
purposes is directly related to the quantity of water available in the UCs and HHs. As the UC
population increases, the per capita HH demand for water will also increase. Therefore, in
addition to increasing the quantity of water availability through rehabilitation and new
schemes, it is recommended that CBOs and communities in the targeted population should take
immediate adequate measures and steps to conserve the available water resources in each UCs.
(b) Water-Borne Disease
Creating awareness in the CBOs and communities about the importance of water treatment and
use of chlorination in the treated piped water for prevention and reduction of water-borne
diseases
Environment
Environments of the projected population include the inside and outside physical conditions
regarding cleanliness, filth, garbage, defecation, personal hygiene, children hygiene, etc. Data
indicates that the inside, as well as outside environments of the HHS, are not very clean and
conducive for healthy living conditions. Therefore, it is recommended that an environment-
related institutional framework should be developed to improve physical living conditions. A
quick measurement is the implementation of WASH-related measures and programs by use of
adequate water resources for the improved environment and, no open defections in
surroundings and inside the HH.

16. pg. 16
CONCLUSION
More than 70% of the population lives in rural areas and the poorest of these communities
depend heavily on the exploitation of local natural resources for their livelihoods. Management
becomes important when the productive resource is water and depleting day by day. Awareness
through all possible means about the environment calls for reduced abstraction and higher
quality return flows. A national policy is necessary to achieve sustainable agriculture growth.
The problem of water shortage is investigated up to its grassroots, then based on that an
effective solution is produced and implemented. Growing urban concentration and
industrialization along the rivers on one side led to the significant abstraction of fresh water
and on the other side put negative impacts on water quality. Therefore, water balance, water
quality, and water accounting are must for sustainable water supply for all possible uses.
WATER DEMAND IMPLICATIONS
The Water Demand Analysis component of the project aimed to provide a macro-level
synthesis of projected changes in water demand in Pakistan by 2050 under five different
scenarios, taking into consideration factors such as population growth, urbanization, economic
development, and potential changes in agricultural practices. The analysis was based on a
review of secondary sources identified through a general web search, drawing on studies that
discussed current and/or future water demand in Pakistan’s agricultural, industrial and
municipal sectors. Consequences of the analysis were then compared to findings from the water
availability study to inform the development of recommendations related to water, climate
change, and the energy, agriculture, and health sectors. Water demand is usually categorized
in terms of its use by three main sectors: agriculture, municipal and industrial. Looking back
over the past five decades, it is clear that water demand within each of these sectors has grown,
with the greatest increase in absolute terms occurring in the agricultural sector while the
municipal sector experienced the greatest proportional rate of increase rising by 629 percent
between 1975 and 2008. In Pakistan, the agricultural sector has always been the primary water
user, responsible for about 90 percent of water withdrawals. Much of this water is used within
the Indus Basin Irrigation System, one of the largest canal irrigation systems in the world,
spreading over 14.87 million hectares of the flat plains of the Indus Valley (FAO, 2011).
Historic and future water demand in Pakistan is highly influenced by the country’s population
growth rate, which census data shows reached its highest point in the 1970s (3.77 percent in
the 1972 census) and has since declined to about 2.7 percent based on the last census completed
in 1998 (Amir & Habib, 2015). Estimates suggest that Pakistan’s total population reached about
189 million people in 2015, and could reach 245 million people in 2030 and 309 million people
in 2050 (United Nations, 2015). As total renewable water availability in the country is
relatively stagnant at 246.8 cubic kilometers (FAO), this rise in population and associated water
demand has led to a steady decline in per capita water availability. Based on the United
Nation’s estimate of Pakistan’s population in 2015, per capita water availability was just less
than 1,000 cubic meters per person, classifying the country as water-scarce. Estimates of future
water demand for five different scenarios were calculated based on several assumptions
regarding anticipated changes in Pakistan’s rate of population growth, urbanization, industrial
water withdrawals, and agricultural water withdrawals. Specifically, these assumptions were
that: The proportion of Pakistanis living in urban-center reached 38.8 percent in 2015 and will
increase to 46.6 percent in 2030 and 57.5 percent in 2050 (United Nations, 2015). Water use

17. pg. 17
in rural areas averages 45 liters per capita per day and in urban areas be around 120 liters per
capita per day. These use rates in combination with the above-projected changes in a total and
urban population in 2015, 2030, and 2050 was used to create a baseline for municipal water
withdrawals. Industrial water use is directly associated with the industrial Gross Domestic
Product (GDP) growth rate. As the relationship between water used and industrial GDP growth
rate in Pakistan is unclear due to the paucity of available data, demand levels were estimated
under low, medium, and high rates of economic development based on case study analysis
conducted by Suttinon et al. (2009) in Thailand. Agricultural water withdrawals will primarily
be influenced by changes in irrigation efficiency, which is currently about 30 percent, as the
country’s net sown area (and associated total irrigated area) is relatively stagnant (Amir &
Habib, 2015; Bhatti et al., 2009; Qureshi, 2011).
DESCRIPTION OF MODIFIED VARIABLES
Water Availability No. of days in a month
Total hours in a month
No. of hours for water supplied
Improved water access Connected piped water
Safe Drinking Water Water treated
Residential Environment instability Open defection
Personal Hygiene Hand and nail + hair + teeth + clean clothes
Toilet Functionality Toilet functionality + fecal matter + hand washing
area + soap availability + cleanliness
Environment HH inside environment condition + HH outside
environment condition
Water Use Efficiency Water covered + treatment
Water quality Ph. value
conductivity
Turbidity
Nitrate
Arsenic
Fluoride
Microbe

18. pg. 18
REFERENCES:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Water_scarcity
https://www.unwater.org/water-facts/scarcity
https://www.worldwildlife.org/threats/water-scarcity
https://waterscarcityatlas.org/
https://www.sindh.gov.pk/dpt/phe/Sindh%20Strategic%20WASH%20Sector%20Plan%20final%20dra
ft%206.0.pdf
https://www.undp.org/content/dam/pakistan/docs/Environment%20&%20Climate%20Change/Rep
ort.pdf
https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/GTwater210115

19. pg. 19
SURVEY:
1. How concerned are you about the lack of safe drinking water in the world?
Extremely concerned
Very concerned
Moderately concerned
Slightly concerned
Not at all concerned
Don't know
2. Are you experiencing water shortages in the area where you live?
Yes
No
Don't know
3. Are you aware of any significant water pollution in the area where you live?
Yes
No
Don't know
4. Whom do you believe is responsible for solving the world’s safe drinking water crisis? Mark one or
more answers
Governments
Municipals
Water companies
Large companies
Farmers
Non-governmental organizations

20. pg. 20
Individual citizens
No opinion
5. How concerned are you about water scarcity in your area in the next 10 years?
Extremely concerned
Very concerned
Moderately concerned
Slightly concerned
Not at all concerned
Don't know
6. What is your gender?
Female
Male
7. What is your age?
18 to 24
25 to 34
35 to 44
45 to 54
55 to 64
65 to 74
75 or older

21. pg. 21
QUESTIONNAIRE:
S.No Question Answer Boys Girls
1 Does your family use drinkable water for watering a garden? Yes 4 3
No 13 17
No garden 8 5
2 Does your family use drinkable water for a swimming pool? Yes 3 4
No 6 7
No swimming pool 16 14
3 Does your family use a dishwasher? Everyday 6 8
Sometimes 9 6
Never 10 11
4 Do you usually drink water from the tap or bottled water? Always from the tap 2
Only bottled water 17 12
Both 6 13
5 Do you usually leave the water run while brushing your teeth? Always 4
Sometimes 2 3
Never 23 18
6 Where does the tap water in your area come from? A lake
A river
Springs 2 1
Other 11 8
I don’t know 12 16
7 How far from your home is that water source? Less than 10km 9 9
More than 10km 1 5
I don’t know 15 11
8 Have you ever had any medical problems in your area connected with the
bad quality of drinkable water?
Never 20 22
Very seldom 2
Quite often 2 1
I don’t know 1 2
9 How expensive is water in your area? Cheap 2 1
Medium 10 13
Expensive 2 2
I don’t know 11 9
10 Do you believe that expanding water is a serious environmental problem? Yes 6 8
No 12 9
I don’t care 7 8
11 Do you believe that the greenhouse effect is going to lead to scarcity of safe
water?
Yes 12 11
No 6 7
I don’t care 7 7
12 Are you interested in being informed and using rules about saving water at
home?
Yes 10 5
Maybe 12 16
Not at all 3 4
13 Do you clean dirty water in a biological cleaning system in your town? Yes 19 14
no 2 1
I don’t know 4 10
14 Do you use a shower or you fill the tub with water? Shower 5 5
Tub 6 2
both 14 18
15 How often do you have a bath or a shower? 1-2 times/week 12 2
3-4 times/week 5 18
more 8 5
16 Do you use the washing machine or the dishwasher only if they are full of
clothes/dishes, or sometimes when they are half-empty?
Full 14 18
Half-empty 5 2

22. pg. 22
I don’t know 6 5
17 Do you repair any damage to water tubes or taps as soon as possible? Yes 21 18
No 1
I don’t know 4 6
18 What is the quantity of water you consume at home according to the water
company bill? (per family/per month in m3
).
0 – 20 10 7
20 – 40 10 7
more 5 11
19 Is the water company public or a private one? Public 20 22
Private 1
I don’t know 4 3
WHEN THE WELL IS DRY, WE ALL KNOW THE WORTH OF WATER