Unlocking RWH for Water Security in Pakistan

Pakistan is home to nearly 250 million people and faces serious water challenges. These include water scarcity, flooding, groundwater depletion, water pollution, and transboundary water conflicts. Climate change, population growth, urbanization, and ineffective water use further aggravate these problems, threatening livelihoods, agriculture, food security and economic development.

Policy reform, technological innovation, infrastructure development, and behavioral changes can help address Pakistan’s water challenges. The method of Rainwater harvesting (RWH) which is the practice of collecting, storing, and utilizing rainwater from rooftops, land surfaces, or other catchments for future use can supplement several of the measures mentioned above. In a water stressed country like Pakistan where per capita water availability is rapidly declining, RWH can offer a sustainable way to address water scarcity by providing an alternative source for both domestic and agricultural needs.

RWH systems

To install an efficient RWH system, the rainfall pattern is first calculated as it determines the storage size and capacity. The catchment area to collect the rain water is then developed along with a conveyance system (gutters, downpipes, and channels) to transports the water from the catchment area to a storage tank. Care should be taken to ensure that the collected water is free from pollutants and this can be done by first flushing the collected water to rid it of contaminants. After the pollutants have been removed, water is stored in a reservoir and utilized through a strong distribution system as required.

There are many types of RWH systems in use. In the Direct Use System, water is collected and directly used for non-potable purposes, such as irrigation, flushing toilets, or washing. The Recharge Systems collects water directly into recharge wells or percolation pits to replenish groundwater aquifers. The Hybrid System, is a combination of storage and recharge systems for water storage for immediate use, and excess water for groundwater recharge.

The usages of RWH are numerous as it can be used in (a) private houses in urban areas for watering gardens and washing cars, (b) in government buildings, parks and schools for water efficiently and reduce reliance on municipal supplies (c) industrial use for cleaning and in machines and (d) in the rural areas for irrigating crops.

Benefits of RWH

Pakistan experiences heavy rainfall during the monsoon season and that often leads to urban flooding, particularly in cities like Karachi, Lahore, and Rawalpindi as unmanaged rainwater runoff clogs the drainage systems, causing waterlogging and infrastructure damage. RWH can store this wasted water by reducing surface runoff and lowering the risk of flooding and water pollution.

One of the environmental benefits of RWH is its role in replenishing groundwater resources. In Pakistan, excessive groundwater extraction for agriculture and drinking purposes has led to aquifer depletion, especially in Punjab and Sindh. With proper techniques such as percolation pits, harvested rainwater can be redirected to recharge underground reservoirs. This not only prevents groundwater depletion but also improves the quality of the water by reducing saline intrusion.

RWH can also supplement irrigation during dry spells by ensuring a more consistent water supply for crops. This is particularly important in areas practicing rain-fed (barani) agriculture, where crop yields fluctuate with erratic rainfall.

RWH can also reduce the need for expensive water infrastructure development, such as dams and canals. For households and communities, the cost of installing a rainwater harvesting system is often lower than relying on tanker supplies. RWH helps reduce the cost of water bills in urban areas by providing an alternative water source for non-drinking purposes.

RWH challenges

There is no doubt that RWH has its several benefits. However, it also has its numerous challenges. These include high installation costs. Although RWH is cost-effective in the long run, the initial installation costs can be a barrier for low-income households and small farmers. The construction of storage tanks, gutters, filters, and piping requires upfront investment, which is often unaffordable for marginalized communities. Without financial support or subsidies from the government, widespread adoption of RWH can remain challenging due to financial constraints.

In case, rain water is not properly stored, it could become a breeding ground for mosquitos leading to Malaria and Dengue. In addition, due to pollution the stored rain water could be contaminated with chemical and heavy metal making it unfit for human and animal consumption.

The problem is further compounded by the lack of public awareness about the benefits and techniques of RWH. Many people are unfamiliar with how to collect, store, and use rainwater efficiently. Moreover, improper installation can lead to water contamination, leakage, or system failure. Training and capacity-building programs are essential to ensure that urban dwellers, communities and farmers can effectively adopt RWH practices.

Despite its potential, RWH has not been fully integrated into Pakistan’s water management policies. There is a lack of regulatory frameworks, incentives, and guidelines for individuals or communities interested in adopting RWH. Government institutions responsible for water management focus more on large-scale projects like dams and canals, leaving decentralized solutions such as RWH underutilized.

RWH future

Despite the challenges, there are several ways in which RWH can be used and promoted in Pakistan. By incorporating RWH into urban planning, a new building code can be developed where it can be made mandatory for new residential and commercial buildings to include rainwater harvesting systems. This would reduce the burden on municipal water supplies and improve urban flood management. By indulging in Public-Private Partnerships, the federal, provincial governments, NGOs, and private enterprises can mobilize resources and expertise to promote RWH.

Farmers can be encouraged to adopt climate-smart agricultural practices and RWH to enhance productivity and sustainability. Communities can be encouraged to form local groups to collectively manage RWH systems, ensuring equitable access and shared responsibility. Educational campaigns can be started at schools, colleges, universities and in rural areas to raise awareness about water scarcity and benefits of RWH.

Conclusion

To unfold the full potential of RWH, Pakistan must develop requisite policies, provide incentives, and promote public awareness through social media and community engagements. RWH can become a vital part of Pakistan’s water management strategy, ensuring water security and sustainable development for future generations with effective planning and collaborative efforts with various stakeholders.

Please note that the views expressed in this article are of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views or policies of any organization.

The writer is a former Ambassador and Permanent Representative of Pakistan to FAO, WFP and IFAD.

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