ASSESSMENT OF DRINKING WATER QUALITY AND ITS IMPACT ON PUBLIC HEALTH IN SKARDU, GILGIT BALTISTAN, PAKISTAN

Abstract

This study provides a comprehensive assessment of drinking water quality and its impact on community health in Skardu, Gilgit-Baltistan, Pakistan, aiming to inform localized and sustainable water management strategies. Employing a mixed-methods approach, the research integrates quantitative water quality data from the Pakistan Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (PCSIR) with qualitative insights from a survey of 300 local residents. Findings reveal that while most physicochemical parameters generally comply with safety standards, water turbidity and microbiological contamination specifically Total Coliform and Fecal Coliform (E. coli) were recurrently detected above safe limits, indicating a serious risk of waterborne diseases. Despite a majority accessing municipal tap water, a notable portion relies on unprotected natural sources vulnerable to contamination. Survey results highlight that although water availability was mostly consistent, interruptions occurred in some households. A substantial disconnect was observed between scientific evidence of contamination and public perception, with many residents perceiving their water as visually acceptable despite microbial risks. Self-reported health symptoms such as stomach cramps (29.7%), diarrhea (19.7%), and fever (13.7%) were prevalent, and over half (54.3%) believed water quality adversely affects household health. The community identified inadequate government monitoring (32%), lack of treatment facilities (26.7%), and sewage pollution (23.7%) as key challenges. Trust in local authorities was moderate, with calls for more frequent and transparent water quality testing. Almost half of respondents (47.3%) expressed willingness to pay for safer water, prioritizing upgrading existing water infrastructure (34.3%) as a critical intervention. These results underscore a pressing public health issue in Skardu, where seemingly clean water harbors microbial hazards, necessitating evidence-based policies, infrastructure enhancement, robust monitoring, and public education to ensure sustainable access to safe drinking water.