By Malik Bilal
PESHAWAR: Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) is a province of remarkable ecological diversity, with landscapes ranging from the arid plains of Dera Ismail Khan to the alpine valleys of Chitral and the rugged terrains of Kohistan. The northern regions blessed with abundant upstream water resources have traditionally been a source of sustenance for the province. Despite this wealth of natural resources, however, KP is now facing a growing water security crisis that requires immediate and comprehensive action. This issue is not a temporary setback but a long-term challenge deeply rooted in the province’s demographic growth, environmental changes and inadequate infrastructure.
KP’s population growth rate, estimated at 2.9 percent annually is among the highest in Pakistan. This rapid growth combined with the stresses of climate change has placed immense pressure on the province’s water systems. Depleting groundwater sources along with aging and inefficient water infrastructure have further strained both the availability and quality of water resources. In various parts of the province groundwater levels have receded by several feet over the past few decades and the recharge capacity has been severely impacted by rapid urbanization. Unregulated extraction of groundwater through tube wells and motor pumps particularly in urban and agricultural plains has exacerbated the situation. Additionally, the quality of water has significantly degraded due to contamination from untreated sewage, industrial runoff and over extraction. According to the Pakistan Council of Research in Water Resources, approximately forty percent of rural households in KP depend on unimproved and often contaminated water sources making them highly vulnerable to waterborne diseases such as diarrhea and hepatitis.
In the northern highland districts, including Hazara and Malakand divisions, as well as districts like Upper and Lower Chitral, Upper Dir, Swat and Upper Kohistan, abundant glacial and snow-fed streams have traditionally supported livelihoods. However, the existing water infrastructure in these areas is increasingly vulnerable to seasonal glacial lake outburst floods, landslides and erosion all of which disrupt water supply channels and damage infrastructure. Furthermore, in the north, as well as in the newly merged areas of Kurram, Orakzai, South Waziristan and North Waziristan communities have traditionally relied on water sources such as springs (chashmas), karezes and hand-dug wells. These sources are now rapidly depleting due to reduced snowfall and increasing snowmelt, erratic and reduced rainfall patterns (which prevent these sources from being replenished) and the degradation of local watersheds further compromising water availability.
This reduced accessibility is particularly burdensome for women in rural settings who are often responsible for collecting water for their households. The increased distances and time required to access water sources not only strain their physical well-being but also limit their ability to engage in other vital activities such as education, income-generating work and caregiving. As the water crisis deepens, these gendered impacts exacerbate existing inequalities placing additional burdens on women and limiting their opportunities for empowerment.
As climate change continues to exacerbate water scarcity issues, there is an urgent need for climate-adaptive solutions that can help mitigate these challenges. Traditional water management systems are no longer sufficient to address the growing pressure on water resources in KP. Nature-based solutions, such as rainwater harvesting, provide a promising and scalable approach to bolster water availability across KP. Methods like rooftop rainwater collection, underground storage tanks and communal ponds can capture and store rainwater for both potable and non-potable uses, providing clean, accessible water for household consumption, irrigation, livestock, kitchen gardening, sanitation, industrial uses and WASH facilities in schools and communities.
Additionally, rainwater harvesting methods that store water also offer added environmental benefits, such as groundwater recharge, reduced erosion and minimized surface runoff. Techniques like check dams, percolation tanks and infiltration trenches not only capture rainwater but also enhance water retention in the soil, improving local hydrology and reducing the impact of floods and droughts. These methods contribute to long-term sustainability by supporting both water availability and environmental health, benefiting the community and the ecosystem. Rainwater harvesting has the potential to reduce dependence on depleting groundwater and surface water sources and enhance access to clean water, benefiting both rural and urban communities. When properly implemented, these interventions can contribute to greater sustainability, supporting the health, well-being and economic opportunities of all residents, with a particular emphasis on improving community resilience and empowering marginalized groups.
Despite several encouraging outcomes from successful pilot demonstrations in areas such as Haripur, Galiyat and the Kurram Tribal District, which were led by UNDP, WWF and various INGOs, the widespread adoption of rainwater harvesting remains limited due to persistent challenges. Many communities lack the technical knowledge required to design, construct and maintain these systems. Government departments responsible for water management often work in isolation with overlapping mandates that lead to confusion, duplication of efforts and limited coordination or data sharing. Moreover, financial allocations for rural water infrastructure remain disproportionately low. In addition, land ownership disputes and weak community mobilization further complicate the implementation and long-term sustainability of rainwater harvesting initiatives.
To overcome these challenges, it is essential to integrate rainwater harvesting within a comprehensive water governance framework led jointly by the departments responsible for relevant mandates including Public Health Engineering, Communication and Works, Local Governments, Urban Area Development, Water and Sanitation Services, Irrigation and Agriculture. A joint Water Management Board, comprising representatives from these departments and authorities could be established to ensure coordination, clear responsibility allocation and effective implementation of rainwater harvesting projects. This integration should include GIS-based exercises and feasibility studies to map optimal locations for rainwater harvesting in different parts of the province, considering factors such as annual rainfall patterns, water storage potential and groundwater recharge capacity. Additionally, the revision of building codes to mandate rooftop rainwater harvesting in both public and private buildings along with the development of standardized technical designs tailored to local environmental conditions will be key to broadening the impact.
KP must also institutionalize rainwater harvesting as a core component of its water security, disaster risk reduction and climate resilience strategies. This requires a shift from isolated, pilot-based projects to a comprehensive province-wide approach. Establishing a dedicated Provincial Water Management board and Resilience Fund could mobilize resources from multiple sources including domestic Annual Development Plan allocations, federal grants, international climate finance and bilateral donor support. Such a fund would enable targeted investments in priority districts experiencing acute water scarcity and accessibility issues.
At the local level, the Local Government Department and district administrations must integrate rainwater harvesting into Village and Neighborhood Council development plans in line with the Local Government Act of 2019 which devolves planning authority to grassroots institutions. Successful pilot projects require active community engagement through inclusive Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) committees that involve women and marginalized groups. Capacity-building initiatives to train local artisans and masons are essential for ensuring the proper construction and maintenance of rainwater harvesting systems. Development partners and civil society organizations can play a catalytic role by co-financing projects, documenting lessons learned and advocating for the adoption of supportive policies at the provincial level.
Scaling up rainwater harvesting initiatives also require significant investments in local capacity-building, particularly in training and certifying local masons, junior engineers and technicians who form the frontline workforce for rural water infrastructure. Currently, vocational training centers in KP rarely offer specialized courses on sustainable water technologies. By integrating rainwater harvesting and related systems into technical curricula and polytechnic programs along with hands-on field training, the province can develop a skilled labor pool that will not only support water infrastructure projects but also create employment opportunities. Furthermore, work departments, including Public Health Engineering and Communication and Works need enhanced capacity in areas such as design standardization, feasibility studies, budgeting and community engagement to ensure the quality and sustainability of water infrastructure projects.
In parallel, behavioral change initiatives are essential for fostering a culture of water conservation across the province. Awareness campaigns, integration of water conservation into school curricula and active engagement of religious and community leaders can help promote sustainable water use practices grounded in local values and traditions.
Globally, KP can draw valuable lessons from regions such as Rajasthan, India and the Sahel region in Africa both of which have implemented successful rainwater harvesting initiatives. In Rajasthan, the revival of traditional rainwater harvesting structures along with supportive policies and community incentives has significantly increased groundwater recharge and agricultural productivity. In the Sahel, where water scarcity is a significant challenge, rainwater harvesting techniques, including the construction of small ponds and check dams have improved water availability for agriculture and local communities. Adapting these successful approaches to KP’s unique hydrological, social and governance contexts could accelerate progress, ensuring sustainable water use across the province.
The foundational step is to conduct comprehensive hydro-meteorological and geographic vulnerability mapping to determine optimal areas for rainwater harvesting systems. This data-driven approach will enable the effective prioritization of interventions. The primary goal is to develop multi-purpose rainwater harvesting systems that provide year-round domestic water, support small-scale irrigation, reduce the burden on women by improving water access, and enhance WASH facilities in marginalized communities.
In conclusion, addressing KP’s water security crisis requires a holistic and sustained approach. Rainwater harvesting must be viewed not just as a technical solution, but as a key element of a comprehensive, inclusive water management strategy. This strategy should integrate institutional reform, community empowerment, technological innovation, and behavior change. By adopting such an integrated approach, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa can enhance its resilience to climate change, improve livelihoods and uphold the fundamental right to safe, sustainable water access for all its citizens.
About the Author: Malik Bilal is a seasoned development professional with expertise in emergency response, recovery and governance in conflict-affected areas of Pakistan. He has worked with UN agencies and international organizations to strengthen community resilience, support institutional reforms and lead strategic program implementation. Malikbilal1983@gmail.com
