ISLAMABAD: Minister for Science and Technology Mir Changez Khan Jamali on Wednesday informed the National Assembly that groundwater samples collected revealed that only 15%-18% samples were found safe for drinking both in urban and rural areas in the country.
Replying to questions during Question Hour, he said that Ministry of Science and Technology through Pakistan Council of Research in Water Resources has carried out monitoring of drinking water quality under National Water Quality Monitoring Programme.
He said that the prime responsibility of provision of safe drinking water lies with provincial and local government departments.
The Ministry has established 24 Water Quality Testing Laboratories across the country, developed and commercialized water testing kits, safe water filters, water disinfection tablets and drinking water treatment sachets, imparted training to 2660 professionals of water supply agencies and 10,000 water supply schemes have been surveyed so far out of total 12000 schemes, he added.
He said that awareness campaign started not only for the relevant agencies but also for general public.
The minister said that national programme for provision of safe drinking water to the citizens was being started shortly with the assistance of Korea.
To another question, the minister said that during last five years, Pakistan Council of Research in Water Resources (PCRWR) has completed only one project in the name of water quality namely ?Water Quality Monitoring in Rural Areas of Pakistan and Installation of Low Cost Water Conditioning and Filtration Units?
The project initiated in 2004 and was completed in 2009 with a total cost of Rs.38.710 million.
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