Rainwater harvesting vital to tackle water woes

CDA official highlights alarming drop in underground water levels over the years

ISLAMABAD:

Rainwater harvesting (RWH) is a must to sustain the underground water table and has the potential to alleviate water scarcity given Islamabad's substantial annual rainfall.

This was said by Capital Development Authority (CDA) Water Management Director General Sardar Khan Zimri on Friday during an interview surrounding efforts to address the capital’s water woes and mitigate urban flood risk.

He said the civic body, in collaboration with the Pakistan Council of Research in Water Resources (PCRWR), has excavated 40 underground water reservoirs in Sectors I-8 and I-9 to recharge them during the rainy season.

He said implementing RWH systems in residential, commercial, and other public structures could significantly augment the water supply.

He called for government initiatives, incentives, and awareness campaigns to promote the adoption of RWH techniques.

The DG said they aim to reach a total of 100 underground water reservoirs in the near future to mitigate urban flooding during heavy rainfall.

According to a PCRW survey, 8 to 10 million gallons of water were being pumped down the rechargeable wells during the recent rains daily. Specialised teams from the water supply department closely monitor these wells after each rainfall, he said.

Additionally, rainwater is collected, purified, and carefully filtered to eliminate pollutants before being transferred underground to sustain the water table.

Zimri revealed ongoing efforts to install 60 new recharge wells. These measures aim to conserve rainwater and maintain the underground water level, he noted.

Furthermore, within 3 to 4 months, additional recharge wells will be strategically installed around hospitals, educational institutions, government facilities, mosques, green spaces, and other structures.

Emphasising the significance of these recharge wells, Zimri noted that while they would complement the existing tube wells installed by the water supply department, they would also enhance water pressure for residents and sustain the underground water level.

He underscored the responsibilities of the Water Supply Directorate of CDA, which encompasses operations and maintenance of water supply distribution systems, provision of water connections, development of groundwater resources, and management of water treatment facilities.

Published in The Express Tribune, August 27^th, 2023.