Access to Safe Drinking Water through Rural Water Supply Schemes: Evidence from District Muzaffargarh (Pakistan)

Abstract

Access to adequate and safe drinking water is a basic human right, and its provision is the collective responsibility of governments, organizations, and communities. Improving the access and quality of safe water for drinking, domestic consumption, personal hygiene, and certain other situations has always been among the top priority goals of the government of Pakistan. The prime objectives are understanding access to safe drinking water through rural water supply schemes (RWSS) and its socio-economic status. Health impacts on the rural communities of district Muzaffargarh, this evaluative study approached fifteen rural water supply schemes. The primary data were collected from community members who were water consumers of rural water supply schemes (RWSS) and community-based organizations (CBOs) who manage the operation and maintenance of rural water supply schemes (RWSS). The study's findings indicated a significant association between safe drinking water and the social, economic, and health status of local community members who have the facility of rural water supply schemes. The findings also revealed that the water supply schemes have more sustainable and long functionality periods, where local community members are intensively involved in their operation and maintenance.