Dealing with Pakistan's growing water insecurity.

Byline: Dr Mohsin Hafeez

Water insecurity is already imposing significant social, environmental, and economic development challenges for Pakistan. In recent years, climate-induced disasters (floods and droughts) have highlighted the urgency to introduce climate-resilient solutions for improved water governance at all levels. In 1980, Pakistan had a relatively abundant supply of water. In 2000, Pakistan had become water-stressed and by 2035, Pakistan is predicted to have become water scarce. In addition, COVID-19 has underscored the importance of strengthening the resilience of potable water supply systems. Thus, Pakistan's increasing water scarcity and vulnerability to climate change highlights the urgent need to manage climate-related risks and to improve water use at the national and local levels. Presently, groundwater provides over 90% of drinking water supplies to all major cities, including Rawalpindi and Islamabad Capital Territory, often referred to as the 'twin cities.'

Like any other city in Pakistan, the twin cities are currently facing serious water-related issues such as poor water supply, sanitation, wastewater, and hygiene. Women, children, and the elderly are the most vulnerable, especially in disadvantaged urban communities where access to safe water supplies, sanitation facilities, and associated wastewater disposal remains inadequate. For example, the present water supply of about 45 MGD (million gallons/day) is insufficient to manage the water demand of about 246 MGD for Islamabad. The situation is very challenging to provide a regular water supply to Islamabad city, having a population of about 2.6 million. In addition, majority of households have installed a pump to extract groundwater for their domestic water consumption. To meet the future demand of rapid population growth, it is anticipated that the gap between demand and supply will increase manifold. Accordingly, the pressure on precious groundwater resources will increase, which is already scarce. For example, the groundwater depletion in Rawalpindi is 2.5 m per year. Ensuring long-term potable water supplies is also a serious matter of concern in cities. There is a need to develop climate-resilient solutions to improve water security in these cities. Therefore, human population pressure, over-abstraction and climate change have highly depleted groundwater resources, requiring an out-of-the-box solution to replenish or even sustain groundwater use.

To tackle...