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

Large number of residents in Pakistan suffers 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 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 access to proper sanitation facilities in most of the rural settlements. Besides, although some WATSAN facilities were available in urban area but the diseases ratio was very high in both studied areas. Therefore, WATSAN related diseases affect adversely on 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.