Water miseries in Rawalpindi: the city struggles with supply, sustainability

Rawalpindi, a city with a rich history and a population rapidly approaching three million, is facing serious water management challenges. From aging infrastructure to climate change impacts, residents across the city are experiencing increasingly erratic water supply and dwindling access to clean water.

For years, Rawalpindi has relied heavily on the Khanpur Dam and tube wells to meet its growing water demands. However, mismanagement, over-extraction, and prolonged dry spells have left large swathes of the city parched, particularly in low-income and densely populated areas such as Dhok Kala Khan, Dhoke Hassu, and Shamsabad,” says .

“We get water maybe once every three days, and that’s if we’re lucky. We have to store water in drums and buckets, and sometimes we buy tanker water, which is very expensive,” says Rubina Hussain, a housewife from Satellite Town outdated infrastructure.

“One of the major culprits is the city’s crumbling water infrastructure. According to the Water and Sanitation Agency (WASA), nearly 40% of piped water is lost due to leakage, illegal connections, and theft. Much of the underground piping system dates back to the 1960s and has seen little maintenance or upgrades,” says Rafaqat Abbas.

“In addition, water quality remains a pressing concern. A 2024 report by the Pakistan Council of Research in Water Resources (PCRWR) found that over 60% of the water samples collected from Rawalpindi were unsafe for drinking due to contamination by sewage and industrial waste,” adds Rafaqat.

“Climate change and urbanization are also to blame. Experts warn that climate change is exacerbating the crisis. Reduced rainfall and rising temperatures have contributed to a shrinking recharge rate for groundwater sources. Rapid urban expansion, often unregulated, is also putting pressure on the city’s limited water resources,” says Auj-e-Zahra.

“Rawalpindi is at a tipping point. We are seeing increasing stress on our groundwater aquifers and very little public awareness or policy action to address the problem,” says Drray Shahwaar, a water resource specialist.

“Government response is increasing public frustration. The Punjab government has announced several initiatives, including the construction of new small dams and the installation of smart water meters. However, progress has been slow, and many residents remain skeptical,” says Farman Ali.

“We hear announcements, but we don’t see any change on the ground. The tanker mafia is making money while ordinary people suffer,” said Saulat Raza, a shopkeeper in Raja Bazaar.

“Experts put forward a multi-pronged approach: upgrading infrastructure, promoting water conservation, recycling wastewater, and encouraging rainwater harvesting. Community awareness campaigns and stronger regulation of commercial and residential water use are also essential. This is the only way forward,” says Asad Ali.Ghazi Raza says, “Unless decisive action is taken soon, Rawalpindi’s water crisis could deepen, affecting not just the city’s health and economy, but also its long-term sustainability.”