How Pure Is Your Water?

The quality of drinking water worldwide presents a striking contrast

The situation in Pakistan and India is particularly concerning

Nisar Banbhan

It is astonishing to realize that the disparity between the First World and developing nations extends even to the most fundamental of natural resources—water. Despite being a universal necessity and freely provided by nature, its accessibility and quality vary drastically across the globe due to mismanagement, pollution, and climate change.

The quality of drinking water worldwide presents a striking contrast. According to the Environmental Performance Index (EPI) by Yale University, countries like Norway, Finland, and Iceland enjoy water that is rated 100% pure, while nations such as Ethiopia, the Republic of Congo, and Burkina Faso struggle with dangerously low water quality. The World Health Organization (WHO) further highlights that nearly 2 billion people globally consume contaminated water, putting them at risk of waterborne diseases.

A global water quality index measures the safety of drinking water in each country, factoring in levels of pollution, bacterial contamination, and overall sanitation infrastructure. According to data from UNESCO’s World Water Assessment Program, developed nations often have stringent purification and distribution systems, whereas in many developing countries, poor governance, inadequate infrastructure, and industrial waste contribute to hazardous drinking conditions.

Read: Rethinking Drinking Water Policies in Pakistan

It is remarkable that while some European nations, such as Switzerland and Denmark, boast near-perfect water purity due to advanced filtration systems and strict regulations, several African and South Asian countries remain in a crisis. Reports from UNICEF and the World Bank indicate that in sub-Saharan Africa alone, one in three people lack access to safe drinking water, leading to severe health and socio-economic consequences.

Did you know that in countries like Germany and Luxembourg, not only is the water of the highest quality, but the supply and treatment systems are among the most efficient in the world? In contrast, in Ethiopia, Chad, and the Democratic Republic of Congo, millions walk for miles daily just to access basic drinking water, often contaminated with bacteria and parasites.

The situation in Pakistan and India is particularly concerning. Reports from the United Nations and the Asian Development Bank indicate that water sources in both countries are under immense stress due to rapid urbanization, industrial waste, agricultural runoff, inefficient distribution systems, and the worsening effects of climate change. Studies reveal that in many regions, groundwater is contaminated with arsenic, fluoride, and heavy metals, posing serious health risks. Without urgent interventions—such as better water governance, sustainable filtration technologies, and climate-resilient policies—the crisis is expected to deepen.

The global water quality map is not just a statistical representation but a call for action. Access to clean water is a fundamental human right, and bridging this gap between nations is essential for global health, sustainability, and equity.

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Hailing from Village Mir Muhammad Banbhan, Taluka Mirwah, District Khapurpur and based in Karachi, the capital of Sindh, Nisar Banbhan is a seasoned professional with nearly 25 years of multifaceted experience, encompassing 3 years in journalism and over two decades of service in a public sector organization. His extensive expertise spans content creation, scriptwriting, screenwriting, lyrics, poetry, and storytelling across multiple languages, including Sindhi, Urdu, and English. Nisar has honed his skills in writing articles, columns, and short stories, contributing to various national and regional media outlets. Additionally, he brings a deep understanding of program development, educational advocacy, and strategic planning, having led initiatives that promote quality education and foster community empowerment. His passion for literature and education merges seamlessly, enabling him to craft impactful narratives that resonate with diverse audiences while driving meaningful change in society.