Pakistan: Water Quality Assessment - PCRWR
The Pakistan Council of Research in Water Resources (PCRWR) is the apex national research organization mandated to conduct, organize, and promote research on all aspects of water resources, operating under the Ministry of Water Resources.
Overview of PCRWR Water Quality Mandate
- Legislative Authority: Governed under the PCRWR Act of 2007.
- National Monitoring Program: Manages the National Water Quality Monitoring Program (NWQMP), expanded from 24 cities in 2001 to 70 major cities.
- Network Infrastructure: Headquartered in Islamabad, with eight regional research centers in Karachi, Lahore, Peshawar, Quetta, Tandojam, Bahawalpur, Gilgit, and Muzaffarabad.
Latest Bottled Water Safety Findings
PCRWR collected 230 water samples across 20 major cities.
| Parameter | Safe Permissible Limit | Key Findings | Affected Unsafe Brands (Examples) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sodium Levels | 50 ppm | 9 brands exceeded the safe limit. | HR Water Healthy Life, A2Z Pure, Deep Blue, Sip Nest, Aqua Life, Alpha H2O |
| Total Dissolved Solids (TDS) | 500 ppm | 4 brands contained dangerous levels of dissolved solids. | A2Z Pure, Imperial Pure, Aab-e-Haram, Alpha H2O |
| Bacterial Contamination | 0 (Zero) | Multiple brands contained coliform or E. coli bacteria. | Aqua Pure, Drinkwell Pure, Zalmi, Deep Blue, Vital Sip, Hunza Ulter, Aqua Pura Smart |
A total of 29 bottled water brands were declared unsafe for human consumption in the referenced quarterly analysis.
Broader Groundwater & Public Water Assessments
- Rural groundwater discrepancies, including GIS-mapped studies.
- Aquifer mapping across the Indus Basin, Peshawar Valley, and Indus Delta.
- Public disclosure of water-quality findings, with enforcement described as falling under relevant regulatory bodies such as PSQCA.