The National Water Quality Monitoring Program (NWQMP) implemented by the PCRWR from 2001 to 2010 generated the first ever annual water quality profile of the country covering 24 cities. This program was continued as a regular activity with monitoring frequency of five years. Following this, with addition of two more cities, it was extended to total 26 cities of Pakistan in 2015-16. This monitoring phase revealed that only 31% of the monitored water sources were safe for drinking purpose. The current water quality monitoring of 2020 is the national program implemented in 29 cities of four provinces, AJK and Gilgit-Baltistan.

The population and area based selection of main cities for this program is aimed to undertake impact monitoring through valid and representative sampling strategy in following 29 cities.

The water quality data when compared with the National Standards for Drinking Water Quality show that out of total 435 sources, 168 (39%) sources were safe, whereas 267 (61%) sources were unsafe for drinking.

Monitoring of more than 4000 water sources in rural areas of 24 districts was also undertaken to identify issues in rural areas.

The national level urban and rural water quality monitoring programmes have provided input data for Pakistan’s Economic survey (annually), UN’s joint monitoring programme (JMP), annual statistics published by the Pakistan’s Bureau of statistics as well as provided inputs for the National water policy, draft national drinking water policy and national environmental policy. Findings and recommendations of urban and rural water quality profiles were shared with all the stakeholders including provincial governments to draw their attention towards water challenges in urban and rural areas.

Testing of about 20,000 water samples obtained at pre-use, use and post- use stages of about 10,000 water supply schemes and provided root causes of supply of unsafe water through these schemes.
Findings of this assessment also depicted the inadequate technical capacity of technical manpower of water supply agencies. To bridge this gap, PCRWR water quality laboratories have imparted the technical trainings to more than 3000 professionals on safe drinking water.

Water quality assessment under National Nutritional Survey (2018-19) in collaboration with Ministry of Health, UNICEF, WHO and Agha Khan University.
PCRWR has completed the water quality assessment component of this project by testing 30,000 water samples for chemical and bacteriological parameters. The study data was analyzed to evaluate impacts of unsafe water on the health of children and mothers, especially in causing child stunting.

PCRWR as partner organization in an international project titled “Monitoring and Governance of Persistent Organic Pollutants in Asia” sponsored by the United Nations University has monitored the set of different restricted chemical (in accordance with the Stockholm Convention) in Pakistan’s hydrosphere.  The study has provided inputs for the development of inventory and National database about POPs profiling in Pakistan. Based on this, National Implementation Plan (NIP) on management of POPs is developed by the Pakistan’s National Ministry of Climate Change.

Manchar Lake is one of the living lakes in the Asia where more than 500 families reside within the lake on boat-made houses. They derive their livelihood from the lake. However, over the time, the lake has subjected to a number of issues such as reducing inflows, wastewater disposal into it deteriorating water quality and increased eutrophication resulting into reduction in fish catch.
PCRWR in collaboration with the US-Pakistan Center of Advance Studies in Water, Mehran University of Engineering and Technology, Jamshooro conducted a study to monitor the health of the Manchar lake and how it was affecting the ecosystem. Based on findings of the study, the Irrigation Department, Sindh has allocated an environmental flow (about 275 cusecs) to keep the lake healthy.

In Pakistan more than 90% the drinking water comes from groundwater which is being recharged by the extensive irrigation network of the Indus basin. The monitoring of the surface water bodies particularly, the eastern rivers of Ravi and Sutlej shows presence of all kind of containments such as microbiological, physico-chemical, heavy metal and even Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs). These contaminants have severe impacts on human health and aquatic life.

PCRWR has taken the initiative to monitor the quality of surface water bodies in Pakistan to identify the sources of water pollution and seasonal attributes to provide inputs for sustainable water resources management and to help achieving the SDGs 6 (target 6.3.2).
The study area included rivers, reservoirs, lakes and barrages in upper and lower Indus river system and in area outside the Indus basin. Altogether, 65 water samples were collected from strategic locations and tested for physico-chemical, wastewater, heavy metals, Organo Chlorine Pesticides (OCPs) and microbiological parameters. The test data was evaluated for drinking, irrigation and environmental quality. The composite influence of different quality parameters on the overall quality of water was quantified as water quality indices (WQI).

While some groundwater contaminants are naturally occurring, unfortunately, the majority of groundwater contamination is the result of human activity.

• Groundwater Contamination
• Pharmaceuticals Personal Care Products
• Overuse and Depletion
• Improperly Managed On-site Wastewater Treatment Systems
• Nitrates
• Emerging Issues

Coordinated management has the potential to address some tough and persistent water quality and quantity challenges. Pollutants, particularly nitrate and salt, also harm groundwater supply. Nitrate is widespread in many rural areas. Its major source is nitrogen fertilizer and manure. PCRWR time to time assess the groundwater quality in potentially contaminated areas of country impacted by geological occurrences of different contaminants, fertilizers, mining, industrial activities like bottled water industries etc. Examples are as below:

PCRWR is pioneer organization to initiate arsenic investigation studies (1999-2015) in the country. Considering the adverse effects of inorganic arsenic on human health, the largest national survey of Pakistan (2005-2010) has assessed about 34000 water sources in 61 districts of Pakistan including 34 districts of Punjab and 27 districts of Sindh. Results showed 15% of the assessed water sources to be unsafe due to excessive arsenic concentration in Punjab and Sindh when compared with WHO Guideline Values of arsenic in drinking water (i.e. 10 ppb). PCRWR has also organized capacity building and awareness raising events to impart the training and knowledge to professionals on arsenic monitoring and mitigation.
Comparative Assessment of Changa Pani and Traditional Water Supply Schemes (Bhalwal, District Sargodha, Punjab)

PCRWR has assessed the effectiveness of CPP with respect to economic viability of metered water, water supply efficiency and consumer’s satisfaction level, water quality status, and water losses. The methodology included both the quantitative and qualitative assessments using structured questionnaire surveys and water quality testing to identify the key success factors and needs for improvements.
Microbial contamination in Changa Pani Project, Tehsil Municipal Administration’s groundwater supply systems and private bore holes

Pind Dadan Khan tehsil of district Jhelum is a classic example of deteriorated water quality impacted by natural and anthropogenic reasons. Being at the foothills of the Salt range, most of its groundwater is saline. The drinking water to the local community is being provided through installation of tubewells at the bank of River Jhelum and small springs originating from the Salt range. There is acute shortage of drinking water in the area. PCRWR has assessed the quality of the ground water being provide by the local water supply authorities and to propose a viable plan to overcome the water quantity and quality issues.

As per directions of the Ministry of Science and Technology, PCRWR is undertaking quarterly monitored bottled water of different brands since 2005 and sharing the results with the stakeholders including PSQCA, Provincial Governments and Food Authorities, public for taking legal action and awareness. Quarterly monitoring report of each quarter is available on website of PCRWR (http://pcrwr.gov.pk/bottled-water/).

The water quality in Pakistan is facing severe challenges due to untreated disposal of industrial and domestic waste. The wastewater mixing in surface water and seepage into the groundwater is deteriorating the water quality in various areas of the country. This is negatively affecting the use of water for drinking, household needs, recreation, aquaculture, transportation and industry. To assess such effects, the PCRWR assess the impacts of domestic and industrial effluents to identify the wastewater treatment needs analysis. Examples of work as below:

Our well-equipped Water Quality Laboratories (WQLs) provide testing services for detection & source localization and quantification of chemical and microbial contaminants by experienced professionals for drinking, irrigation, industrial purposes etc.

• Water Quality for Potable water, Ground water and Irrigation water
• Water Quality for Construction water and Cooling tower water
• Chemical and Elemental Analysis of Water samples
• Water Quality for Effluent from various industries 
• Method Development for wastewater treatment
• Consultation for Water treatment Consultation for Effluent treatment
• Training Facility on water/wastewater quality

‘‘Smart Drinking Water RO (SDW-RO)’’ is designed for a salted underground water community of 700-1000 consumers. Every hour it produces 500 L sweet water from brackish water (TDS 3000-3500 mg/l). Real-time raw/product water quality display and flow measurement are its unique features.
If real-time raw-water TDS display shows permissible limits, simple filtration mode may be opted, which enhances treatment capacity to 2000 L/H.
The treatment process is made sustainable by providing auto back-wash system and least involvement of human interaction in its daily operation. Real-time.
Cost Price = 450,000/- Exclusive taxes

PCRWR scientists through its Research and Development activities have developed cost-effective solutions for water testing and treatments. PCRWR is commercializing the sale of these products and technologies at affordable cost.