Pakistan is among the most water-stressed nations, with annual per-capita water availability below 1,000 cubic metres, well under the recognised water scarcity threshold. Limited storage capacity, high climate vulnerability and widespread contamination further intensify the crisis. only about 36 per cent of the country’s drinking water is considered safe for human consumption. Unsafe water and inadequate sanitation contribute significantly to waterborne diseases, environmental degradation and socioeconomic instability. In this context, wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) represent an essential infrastructure intervention.
Wastewater, originating from domestic, industrial and municipal sources, must be treated before discharge or reuse. Properly designed and managed sewage treatment plants (STPs), effluent treatment plants (ETPs) and water treatment plants (WTPs) significantly reduce pollution loads and support water recycling initiatives. Strengthening wastewater treatment infrastructure is therefore not only a technical necessity but also a strategic imperative for government agencies and communities seeking to protect public health, enhance water resilience and promote sustainable national development.
Engr Shahid Ullah Khan Tator
Dera Ismail Khan
