Water Rights and Wastewater in Urban Pakistan: Mapping Inequality and Proposing Decentralized Solutions

This paper investigates the spatial and socioeconomic disparities in wastewater exposure across low-income neighborhoods in Karachi, Pakistan. Through on-site water sampling from hand pumps and open drains in Korangi and Bhittaiabad, elevated concentrations of E. coli and nitrates were detected, indicating severe contamination risks. Using GIS analysis, the study overlays contamination data with income distribution and municipal water access, revealing strong correlations between socioeconomic status and exposure to unsafe water sources. The research underscores the structural inequalities embedded within Karachi’s urban water infrastructure and highlights the public health consequences of environmental neglect. It further proposes a framework for decentralized filtration systems, low-cost household interventions, and zoning reforms to promote equitable water access. This paper contributes to the ongoing discourse on environmental justice, urban planning, and sustainable development in South Asia.