Assessing access to safe drinking water in flood-affected areas of District Nowshera, Pakistan: A case study towards achieving sustainable development goal 6.1

Abstract

Access to safe drinking water is one of the most vital targets of sustainable development goal (6.1). However, climate change has become a significant challenge to safe water access. Climate-induced changes in rainfall patterns create many hydro-meteorological hazards such as drought, floods, and desertification. These hazards pose a major risk to the water supply system, particularly in areas vulnerable to climate change's impacts. The onset of these hazards may damage the hydro-ecological system and water supply infrastructure, cause an interruption in water supply, and pollute water resources. Therefore, assessing access to safe potable water after the onset of any hazard is crucial to ensure sustainable management. For this purpose, the current investigation aims to assess access to safe, potable water in flood-affected neighborhood councils of district Nowshera. The sample sites were purposively selected based on specific criteria, and 2 % (564) of households were surveyed using the Kobo collect tool. The six parameters, accessibility, availability, affordability, acceptability, water quality, and equity, were assessed for access to safe potable water using WHO and UNICEF standard procedures. The estimated results classified the study area access into safely managed (49.5 % to 51.77 %), primary (17.59 % to 47.92 %), limited (3 % to 94.67 %), unimproved (1.82 % to 41.46 %) water facilities. The current results provide the status of access to safe potable water and visualize the deprived households for priority action. This study indicates that recent flooding has significantly affected access to safe potable water. The methods and techniques utilized in current research can be used to monitor sustainable development goals. The present study highlights the need for a climate change perspective in addressing access to clean water in flood-prone areas. It identifies key factors for future research and policy action.