Groundwater crisis prompts urgent action

Punjab has set ambitious targets to improve water conservation, rainwater harvesting, and groundwater recharge by 2030 as part of its Climate Resilient Punjab Vision and Action Plan 2024.

The strategy aims to address the growing impact of climate change, irregular rainfall, rapid urbanisation, and excessive groundwater extraction, which have significantly depleted water resources across the province. Officials, however, acknowledge that progress remains slow despite the worsening water crisis, particularly in Lahore.

Lahore has emerged as one of the most affected cities, with studies indicating groundwater levels are falling by nearly one metre each year. Areas including Gulberg, Shadman, and Muslim Town have been identified as high-risk zones.

To tackle the problem, the Water and Sanitation Agency (WASA) has introduced groundwater recharge projects, installing recharge wells in locations such as Tajpura, Liberty, and Qaddafi Stadium, with plans to expand the initiative across the city. The provincial government has also approved 358 underground water storage tanks, alongside a proposal to build 1,000 recharge wells in Lahore.

According to officials, three recharge wells are already operational, each capable of returning around 8,000 gallons of rainwater to the aquifer every day. Punjab Housing Secretary Noor-ul-Amin Mengal said 15 initial sites have been selected for additional wells, while the Parks and Horticulture Authority will provide space in public parks for future installations.

Meanwhile, the Punjab Climate Resilient WASH Sector Development Plan 2025–35 warns that achieving the province's water goals will require substantial investment, stronger infrastructure, and greater institutional capacity.

Experts argue that implementation, rather than policy formulation, remains the biggest challenge. Dr Muhammad Yasin of the University of the Punjab said frequent policy changes and political transitions have hindered long-term planning. He stressed that recharge wells alone cannot solve the crisis, calling for stricter regulation of groundwater extraction, expansion of surface water projects, and environmentally sustainable urban planning.

Environmental experts also emphasise the need for mandatory water conservation measures. EPA Punjab Director General Imran Hamid Sheikh said rainwater harvesting systems are now compulsory for new housing schemes, industries, commercial buildings, hotels, educational institutions, and other developments.

WWF Pakistan's Freshwater Programme Director Sohail Ali Naqvi warned that rising temperatures, prolonged droughts, erratic rainfall, and the widespread use of more than 1.3 million tube wells in Punjab are accelerating groundwater depletion. He said rainwater harvesting and groundwater recharge, supported by government regulations and judicial oversight, are essential to protecting the province's future water supplies.