Water Access & SDGs
By
Shahzad Azeem
University of Gujrat, Pakistan (email: malik.shahzad@hotmail.com)
Given the rural landscapes of Pakistan, the right to drink water that is free from contamination has emerged as a fundamental human necessity, playing a crucial role in the promotion of public health and sustainability. There are a great number of people in these regions who struggle with the lack of this fundamental service, despite the fact that it is of the utmost importance. The problem is made even more difficult by the enormous water losses that occur during the collection, storage, and distribution processes. These losses significantly reduce the amount of drinkable water that is available and make the life of local residents even more difficult. This scarcity not only contributes to the widening of health disparities, but it also poses a significant challenge to the achievement of sustainable development. This shortage highlights the urgent requirement for targeted interventions within the rural environment of Pakistan.
There is a strong alignment between the pursuit of solutions to water scarcity in Pakistan’s countryside and the key objectives of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (UN SDGs), particularly those goals that are focused on health and well-being, clean water and sanitation, sustainable cities and communities, and the reduction of inequalities. It is possible for Pakistan to achieve progress toward ensuring water for everyone by addressing water loss through the creation of improved infrastructure and lobbying for changes in water conservation behaviors. By integrating low-cost technological solutions and behavioral change initiatives, communities can autonomously manage their water resources, resonating with SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities) and SDG 12 (Responsible Consumption and Production). This will help Pakistan bridge the gap in access that exists between urban and rural areas. This method has the potential to not only enhance the health of rural communities by reducing the prevalence of diseases that are transmitted through water, but it also has the potential to empower these people by enhancing their water security, supporting economic growth, and fostering equitable resource allocation.
In the process of evaluating the efficacy of interventions designed to reduce water loss in rural regions of Pakistan, it is of the utmost importance to take into account social acceptability. This involves making certain that the solutions presented are suitable for the culture and can be easily implemented. An emphasis on the significance of community empowerment and responsible resource management is highlighted by the fact that these interventions are designed to be sustainable with the goal of receiving minimal support from outside sources. It is therefore imperative that research university level should initiate community integration programs that will result in a variety of outcomes, some of which include the improvement of public health, the progress of efforts to provide clean water to all people, and the development of communities that are resilient and sustainable. By addressing the issue of water scarcity through the lens of the UN SDGs, Pakistan has the potential to pave the way towards a more sustainable and equitable future. This would ensure the well-being of its rural inhabitants and protect crucial water resources for future generations.
