Access to safe drinking water is also a critical health issue in Pakistan. Data indicates that just 65% of the population has access to improved drinking water and that urbain access to improved drinking water is significantly higher than rural access—85% urbain and 55% rural. Likewise poor hygiene practices, such as lack of hand washing with soap at multiple critical times, are common in Pakistan. In addition, there is a lack of awareness about what “clean” water means; most believe that if water is clear and odorless it is suitable for drinking. This misconception could present a barrier for the acceptance of household water treatment methods or community water filtration plants. Until recent years, environmental health programs have not given behavior change the importance it is due. Research has shown that mere access to water and sanitation may bring little or no behavior change impact. A critical mass (more than 66%) of good water, sanitation, and hygiene behaviors can ensure that in due course, public health impacts will appear in the district, national, and international statistics (Ahmad, et. al. 2000). (Esrey, 1999). (Source: PSDW-HPP Baseline Report- 2008)

Keeping in view of above Community Support Concern has taken the task and materialized it in two towns of District Lahore, entire District DG Khan and Bahawalpur under the Umbrella of Pakistan Safe Drinking Water – Hygiene Promotion Project executed by Abt Associates and Funded by USAID. There were three major components of the project under which all programmatic interventions were carried out and revealed as:-

• • 4089 school teacher of grade 4 had been trained on use of safe drinking water & hygienic practices
  • • 46000 students of grade 4 were groomed on adoption of Hygienic practices
  • • Technical staff of TMA/PHE was capacitated on maintenance of water filtration plants.
  • • 11324 mother/father having children under the age of 5 years were given awareness on use of safe    drinking water and hygienic practices.
  • • 379 Religious Leaders were trained on dissemination of information on Safe drinking water and     hygienic practices.
  • • 720 Traditional birth attendants were trained on safe deliveries and hygienic protocols.
  • • 640 Women volunteer at community level were engaged in promotion for use of safe drinking water    and hygiene practices.
  • • 50 Representatives of NGOs/CBOS were associated with the project for promotion of project    objectives.
  • • 2 Water user committees were established, trained and functioned in the project areas.
  • • Cost recovery model for water used committed was developed and rationalized on sustainable basis.
  • • 7600 community folks were took benefit from the project awareness rising and advocacy      interventions.
  • • Information Education Communication Material along with jeery canes (for storage of safe water),   soaps and household level water filter were also distributed in project focused areas.