In Pakistan, most of the water sources are contaminated and there is no proper mechanism existing, whereby poor people can get access to clean water (both biologically and chemically treated). The global water shortage of affordable and safe drinking water is manifested in Pakistan with an estimated 44 percent of the population without access to safe drinking water. In rural areas, up to 90 percent of the population may lack such access.

Safe and clean water is the first line of defence in protecting public health and protecting the basic values that are fundamental to the quality of life. Public health is the primary goal of MGR’s Water4Life™ Project.

A visit to just about any waterway in or around any city illustrates the problem. Rivers, streams and canals near a city like Rawalpindi are contaminated with raw sewage, garbage, industrial waste and runoff from farming operations.

There should be no doubt that the majority of Pakistan’s population is exposed to the hazard of drinking unsafe and polluted water. In an effort to improve this situation, MGR has started a project where donors in the West can purchase a bottle of water for beneficiaries in Pakistan, as a first alternative to drinking unfiltered tap water or contaminated water from other sources, where no or poor public drinking water service exists. However, MGR realises that bottled water is not a substitute to a sufficient service supplying safe drinkable tap water, but considers it to be a safe alternative or one which complements existing infrastructure to provide safe drinking quality water to the masses.

The MGR Water4Life™ Project is the most promising and innovative initiative for the general public, which at the moment is prone to water borne diseases and cannot afford to purchase clean and purified bottled water.

MGR is piloting this project in Pakistan initially and if successful will expand to other countries in the Indian subcontinent, and within a year will establish it in African countries as well.