Insufficient supply of potable water is one of the main issues in the district, particularly in the remote areas where people depend on water obtained form springs, open surface wells, perennial flows and karezes. Other sources of potable water are tube wells and hand pumps. The Public Health Engineering Department has constructed 17 water supply schemes, out of which 9 are being run by the community. The population PHED claims to serve through these schemes, exceeds the total population of the district, thus this claim appears to be an overstated. In the rural areas women and children are involved in fetching water.

According to an estimate, safe drinking water is available to 80 percent of the population in urban areas. While in the rural areas about 40 percent of the population have access to potable water. The remaining population fetches water from springs, karezes, open surface well and perennial flows.

The Public Health Engineering Department has constructed 17 water supply schemes, out of which 9 are administered by the communities served. The remaining 8 schemes are administered by the department itself. The Local Government and Rural Development Department (LG&RDD) assists communities in the installation of deep well hand pumps on sharing basis. The District Council is also involved in the construction of water supply schemes in rural areas.

Generally, the quality of water available in the district is good. In some areas of the district deep drilling is required to obtain drinking water. WAPDA and the Irrigation Department often examine the quality of the water. For installation of hand pumps, the LG&RDD has also examined the ground water and found it to be safe.

The houses in government colonies have flush system latrines. In addition, flush latrines are used in 80 percent of the housing units In the urban areas. There is no proper arrangement for solid waste disposal. The garbage is dumped outside the populated areas or in the streets. The Town Committees and the Municipal Committee employ sanitary staff, but the services they provide are unsatisfactory. Overall hygienic conditions are poor throughout the district. Sanitary conditions can be improved by regular supply of water and creating awareness among the masses.

The PHED is headed by an Executive Engineer at the district level. The Department is so busy in construction and administration of water supply schemes that it is unable to also plan for sanitary services in the district. After handing over water supply schemes to the benefiting communities, it may be hoped that the Department will direct its attention towards improving the sanitary conditions of the district as well.

The major role in respect of water supply is played by the provincial government. Some international donors and the LG&RDD assist to overcome the problem of insufficient supply of drinking water. The hand pump installation scheme is very successful in the area.

Availability of safe drinking water is a major problem in the area. Operation and maintenance of the water supply schemes are being transferred to the benefiting communities, after which it can be hoped that the government will have enough funds for the development of more water and sanitation schemes. There is also intense need of community involvement in solving the problem of sanitation. This task may be performed through NGOs and facilitated with the use of mass media.

As women are prime users of water and also collect it, there is an obvious need to involve them in decisions regarding installation of hand-pumps and water tanks.