Impact assessment of sanitation system on the socio-economic aspects of local community and environment in Hunza Valley Gilgit Baltistan-Pakistan

Abstract

This study encompasses the socio-economic and environmental aspects of the first ever constructed sanitation system in Gilgit Baltistan. The sanitation system is located in the hub of Hunza valley and covers three major villages, i.e., Karimabad, Mominabad, and Ganish. Pertaining to the terrain of the area, Karimabad is located at upstream, while Mominabad and Ganish are located downstream. Soon after the completion of the project, the sewage water from the sourcepoint was carried to a treatment plant located in Mominabad, through sewerage lines. The sewage water after treatment was subsequently used for irrigation purposes by the farmers in Ganish village. This treatment plant remained functional for hardly 3 years. Since then, untreated sewage water is drained to irrigation water channels of Ganish and is being used by farmers for agricultural practices. This practice is posing negative impacts on the health of downstream community in the form of water born and fecal-related diseases. The objectives of this study were to measure impacts of the constructed sanitation project on health security and assess sewerage water quality for irrigation purposes. To collect the information on socio-economic aspects, structured questionnaire was used. Focus group discussions (FGDs) and key informant interviews were also carried out for triangulation purpose and to substantiate the collected data. Sewerage water samples were tested in laboratory for analyzing its suitability for irrigation purposes as per WHO standards. Due to geographic advantage, being at upstream, the sanitation system is promising for the population of Karimabad village; however, the project is adversely affecting the community at downstream (Ganish and Mominabad) due to negative environmental and health impacts. The laboratory analysis of sewerage water showed that electrical conductivity, pH, chemical oxygen demand, sodium, chlorides, nitrates, and phosphates values were above the permissible limits. Currently, there are several sanitation projects under construction in Gilgit Baltistan by the government and other non-government organizations (NGO) with the involvement of community under build, operate, and transfer (BOT) model. There is a need to implement the lessons learnt from the Karimabad sanitation project and devise a strategy to cope with the operational and maintenance issues. Besides, there is a need to develop linkages with the line departments, i.e., EPA, Health department, etc. to carry out regular laboratory analysis of sewage water. It is highly recommended that government should allocate funds for maintenance of treatment plants on annual basis.