Groundwater crisis prompts urgent action

Experts highlight the need for urgent interventions to slow down falling groundwater levels across the province

LAHORE:

In view of climate change, declining rainfall, and falling groundwater levels, the Punjab government has set 2030 targets for water conservation, rainwater harvesting, and groundwater recharge. However, officials and experts claim progress is slow, while the water crisis is worsening at a faster pace, especially in Lahore.

According to the Climate Resilient Punjab Vision and Action Plan 2024, Punjab faces strong climate pressure from rising temperatures, irregular rainfall, urban growth, and unregulated groundwater use, leading to rapid groundwater depletion.

The plan sets 2030 targets to expand rainwater storage, install recharge systems, improve flood management, and ensure efficient water use, while balancing surface and groundwater and strengthening recharge infrastructure in vulnerable areas.

Lahore is cited as a key example of this crisis, where multiple studies suggest groundwater levels are dropping by up to one meter annually. Areas such as Gulberg, Shadman, and Muslim Town have been declared high-risk zones.

The Water and Sanitation Agency (WASA) Lahore has launched a groundwater recharge project under which rainwater is directed back into the ground through specially constructed wells. According to a WASA spokesperson, recharge wells have been installed in Tajpura, Liberty, Qaddafi Stadium, and other locations, with expansion planned.

The Punjab government has also approved 358 underground water tanks across the province, including 34 large tanks and 324 roadside tanks. Recharge wells will be constructed alongside these tanks to help restore groundwater levels.

Separately, WASA Lahore has prepared a plan for 1,000 groundwater recharge wells in the city. Officials say three wells are currently operational, each capable of recharging about 8,000 gallons of water daily. Secretary Housing Punjab Noor-ul-Amin Mengal said 15 initial sites in Lahore have been selected for recharge wells, while the Parks and Horticulture Authority (PHA) will allocate space in all parks.

The Punjab Climate Resilient WASH Sector Development Plan 2025–35 states that the existing water management system is not strong enough to withstand climate stress. It warns that achieving the 2030 targets will require large-scale investment, modern water infrastructure, and improved capacity of local governments.

Dr Muhammad Yasin from the Centre for Integrated Mountain Research, University of Punjab said that while water policies are being formulated, the real issue is implementation. "Frequent changes in governments and policies damage long-term planning. Recharge wells alone are not sufficient; groundwater extraction must be controlled, surface water projects expanded, and urban planning made environmentally sustainable," said Dr Yasin.

Environmental Protection Agency Punjab (EPA) Director General Imran Hamid Sheikh said the government has made rainwater harvesting systems mandatory in 23 new sectors. "Industries including poultry, fish farms, textiles, pharmaceuticals, food, and cement, as well as housing societies, hotels, marriage halls, educational institutions, and commercial buildings, must install rainwater harvesting systems, and construction approval has been linked to this requirement," claimed Sheikh.

WWF Pakistan's Freshwater Programme Director Sohail Ali Naqvi explained that climate change is increasing heatwaves, droughts, and irregular rainfall, severely impacting groundwater reserves. "Government agencies have warned temperatures in South Punjab may exceed 50 degrees Celsius, while phenomena like El Niño are disrupting the hydrological cycle, causing extreme rainfall in some areas and drought in others," noted Naqvi. He stressed that rainwater harvesting and recharge measures are essential. "The Punjab government has made water conservation mandatory for housing societies, while the Judicial Water and Environment Commission is also issuing guidelines in this regard," concluded Naqvi.