The main source of drinking water in the district are springs. These springs are canalized. The water is often stored in tanks, either community- or private tanks. In Zhob city in most cases community tanks are used. In rural areas people, in most cases women, fetch water from other sources like streams and wells. But also in rural areas tanks are used.

Although the water from springs is clean, there is a need for filtration of water. A new system with two tanks is introduced. In the first tank water is stored to let the solid waste settle down, while in the second tank the water is made bacteria free.

The Public Health Engineering Department has undertaken 97 water supply schemes. These schemes serve a total population of 79,000, which is 23% of the total population in the district. Others are dependent on private tanks, streams, wells, etc.. Obviously an expansion of the PHED activities is required. Especially Mani Kwa and Sherani are priority areas for an expanded provision of drinking water.

The drinking water administration comes under the Executive Engineer, Health Engineering Department PHED, that serves both Qilla Saifullah and Zhob districts. There is a SDO stationed in Zhob sub-division and there are sub-engineers in Sherani and Qamar-din-Karez.

The ground water sub-sector is negligible in Zhob district.

As of yet, sanitation does not come under the PHE. The intention is that PHE will be involved with sanitation. This is quite a challenge. Government attention is needed to alleviate the poor sanitary situation in the district.

As mentioned in 7.1.2, the Public Health Engineering Department comes under the Executive Engineer, at Zhob city. He is accountable for the two districts of Zhob and Killa Saifullah. Under him are three SDOs: at Muslim Bagh, Killa Saifullah and Qamardin Karez. The EXEN office comprises accountant, headman, tracer etc.

Nearly one quarter of the population is provided with drinking water through schemes of PHED. It is obvious that this percentage has to be increased in future through the implementation of more schemes. The filtration of water should receive proper attention as well.

Since women are involved to a great extent in fetching water, it is imperative to take women's needs into consideration while planning and implementing water supply schemes.

The sanitation in the district is in a poor state. It is hoped that the intended involvement of PHED will bring about a substantial change. A new system of sewerage is an option that should be seriously considered, provided enough funds can be obtained for such a project.

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