Arsenic is present in atmosphere, soils, rocks, organisms and in natural waters. Arsenic testing in drinking water becomes important due to its hazardous effects on health. The results of National Water Quality Monitoring Program as well as earlier joint research studies by PCRWR and UNICEF have shown the presence of arsenic in groundwater’s of Southern Punjab. Therefore, PCRWR with the financial support of UNICEF undertook detailed testing of arsenic in Punjab particularly in Bahawalpur, Rahim Yar Khan and Multan Districts to confirm the arsenic contamination. Five samples from each village were collected for determining arsenic contamination through field testing kits. A distance of at least ½ kilometer was maintained between the two sampling points. One sample from each village was also collected randomly for reproducibility and accuracy verification. This sample was analyzed on Atomic Absorption Spectrometer (AAS). The total numbers of villages covered under this survey were 2400. Altogether 11,975 and 2395 samples were analyzed with the help of field testing kits and AAS respectively.

The analysis of the Bahawalpur District showed that 22.67% samples had arsenic above the WHO guidelines (10 ppb) and 2.79% beyond 50 ppb. About 18% water samples were found to be unsafe due to higher arsenic concentration than 10 ppb and 3.16% have concentration more than 50 ppb in the Bahawalpur District. From all tehsils of Rahim Yar Khan District, 1116 water samples were collected. The analysis of the data showed that 18.63% samples had arsenic concentration above 10 ppb and 2.86% samples had arsenic concentration beyond 50 ppb. In Multan District, 37.61% samples were found unsafe with respect to WHO guidelines whereas 2.87% samples had arsenic more than 50 ppb.

Findings of the study show possible health impacts on the local people who are continuously using arsenic contaminated water for drinking and domestic purposes. Therefore, remedial measures to rectify arsenic contamination are recommended in the affected areas.