Islamabad: Harvesting just 25% of Islamabad’s annual rainfall could significantly reduce groundwater depletion while helping control urban flooding, according to the International Water Management Institute (IWMI).
In an interview with APP, Dr Mohsin Hafeez, Global Director for Water, Food and Ecosystems at IWMI, said the institute’s research indicates that capturing one-fourth of the city’s annual rainfall would be sufficient to stabilise groundwater depletion in the federal capital.
He cited the success of an IWMI pilot project at Kachnar Park in Sector I-8, where an innovative groundwater recharge system has stored more than 566,000 litres of rainwater over the past four years while improving groundwater levels without compromising water quality.
The pilot was established at a flood-prone site where rainwater from a nearby parade ground frequently inundated surrounding areas during the monsoon. A recharge pond was constructed to capture runoff, allowing water to pass through natural filtration layers of sand and stones before seeping into the aquifer.
According to Dr Hafeez, the site is equipped with a real-time rain gauge, water flow monitoring instruments and groundwater sensors, enabling researchers to generate scientific data on groundwater recharge and water quality. Monitoring conducted since June 2022 shows the project has raised the local groundwater table by around 4.5 millimetres.
Following the project’s success, the Capital Development Authority (CDA) approved 100 groundwater recharge sites across Islamabad in 2024 before expanding the initiative with another 100 sites. Around 200 recharge sites are now operational across the city.
Dr Hafeez said the expanded initiative has improved groundwater recharge, reduced rainwater flooding and eased pressure on Islamabad’s stormwater drainage system. Residents living near the recharge sites have also reported reduced flooding during the monsoon and improved water availability from household boreholes.
He added that the project’s findings have influenced public policy, with the CDA making groundwater availability assessments mandatory before approving new housing schemes. IWMI also collaborated with the Pakistan Engineering Council (PEC), the Pakistan Council of Research in Water Resources (PCRWR) and other stakeholders to help develop Green Building Codes that require rainwater harvesting systems in new buildings.
Dr Hafeez noted that the pilot project cost around US$15,000, demonstrating that relatively modest investments can deliver significant environmental and community benefits through practical, climate-resilient water management solutions.
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