High economic impacts of poor water and sanitation in various communities in Pakistan (An environmental economic perspective)

Document Type : Research paper

Authors

Department of Environmental Sciences, COMSATS University Islamabad, Abbottabad 22060, Pakistan

Abstract

A large number of residents in Pakistan suffer from adequate access to safe drinking water and proper sanitation facilities. For this purpose, the present study investigates the impact of poor water and sanitation (WATSAN) on the household economy. Qualitative and quantitative approaches including data collection using questionnaire method and laboratory tests of water quality were used. Results demonstrate the inhabitants have not accessed to proper sanitation facilities in most of the rural settlements. Besides, although some WATSAN facilities were available in the urban areas the disease ratio was very high in both studied areas. Therefore, WATSAN related diseases affect adversely on the household economy by hospitalization, transportation, and medical costs. The present research concludes that due to poor WATSAN facilities the residents in the study area are confronted with food, health, and education and living standard obstacles.
 
 

Graphical Abstract

High economic impacts of poor water and sanitation in various communities in Pakistan (An environmental economic perspective)

Highlights

  • Impact of poor water and sanitation on household economy was investigated.
  • Qualitative and quantitative approaches were used to assess the impact of poor water and sanitation on households economy.
  • People have not access to proper sanitation facilities in most of the rural settlements .
  • The diseases ratio was very high because of poor water and sanitation condition.
  • Unawareness of WATSAN related diseases affect adversely on household economy by hospitalization, transportation and medical costs.

Keywords

Main Subjects


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