1. Groundwater – the well is dry
Dr. Muhammad Ashraf
Pakistan Council of Research in Water Resources
May 27, 2016

2. “When the well is dry, we know the worth of water.” Benjamin Franklin

3. Well Dry?
Depth of water in the well. How much water can be pumped economically and sustainably?
Quality of water in the well. What should be the quality of the water in the well so that it could be used for domestic or agricultural purpose?

4. Groundwater in Pakistan
One of the largest groundwater resources of the world (4th after India, USA and China)
Supplement over 60% of the surface water supplies
Over 90% drinking water and 100% industrial water comes from groundwater
Helped increase cropping intensity from 63% (1947) to 150% (2010)

5. Groundwater Issues/Challenges
In the Indus Basin, the native groundwater is saline due to underlying marine geological formations
A thin freshwater layer exists over this saline formation as a result of seepage from the rivers and the irrigation systems
No groundwater regulatory framework. Anyone can install any number of wells of any capacity, at any depth and can pump any amount of water at any time
In 1960, the No. of tubewells in Pakistan were about 20,000 which have now increased to over one million
This practice has led to the groundwater depletion, both quantitatively and qualitatively
It has been reported that out of 43 canal commands, the water table was declining in 26 canal commands due to rapid increase in groundwater abstraction
Similar is the situation in large cities where water table is depleting at an alarming rate
In Balochistan, the groundwater is depleting in many basins particularly in the Pishin-Lora and Nari basins
Drying up of the centuries old karez irrigation system

6. Growth of Tubewells in Pakistan

7. Groundwater Balance in Basins of Balochistan (BCM)
Average Recharge
People
Livestock
Agriculture
Total
Balance
Dasht river
0.100
0.013
0.012
0.069
0.094
0.006
Gaj River
0.070
0.001
0.072
-0.002
Gawadar-Ormara
0.040
0.004
0.003
0.017
0.025
0.015
Hamun-e-Lora
0.139
0.141
-0.101
Hamun-e-Mashkel
0.300
0.008
0.007
0.027
0.273
Hingol River
0.200
0.005
0.156
0.168
0.032
Hub River
0.080
0.086
0.088
-0.008
Kachhi P:lain
0.180
0.140
0.169
0.011
Kadanal River
0.030
0.000
0.110
0.115
-0.085
Kaha
0.190
0.315
0.319
-0.129
Kand River
0.010
0.018
0.019
-0.009
Kunder River
0.050
0.048
0.002
Mula river
0.120
0.126
0.129
Nari River
0.270
0.171
0.090
Pishin Lora
0.170
0.024
0.029
0.513
0.566
-0.396
Porali River
0.142
0.146
-0.006
Rakshan River
0.075
0.081
-0.031
Zhob River
0.160
0.267
-0.110
Balochistan
2.210
0.091
0.054
2.474
2.659
-0.459

8. Groundwater Investigation and Mapping
Groundwater mapping and management has been a neglected subject in Pakistan
A few studies were conducted by individuals or some institution such as International Water Management Institute (IWMI) on a limited scale.
In 2003, Pakistan Council of Research in Water Resources (PCRWR) started mapping the groundwater in the Upper Indus basin with the financial support of the Government of Pakistan through Ministry of Science and Technology.
Various techniques such as electrical resistivity, seismic, induced polarization and gravity were used to determine the quantity and quality of groundwater. Moreover, exploratory well drilling and isotopes were also used.
So far four doabs (the area between the two rivers) i.e. Thal, Chaj, Rechna and Bari have been mapped. The groundwater mapping is very important for the design of tubewells and developing operational strategies
In the second phase, survey and mapping of the Lower Indus Basin has been started. This would help manage groundwater in the Indus basin.

9. Groundwater Quality in the Upper Indus Basin (dS/m)

10. Groundwater Quality Problems
Industrial and municipal effluents are the major sources of groundwater contamination
Contamination of freshwater due to lateral and horizontal movement of saline water, drainage effluents and disposal of saline water into canals/rivers
Solid municipal waste sites in all the cities are the permanent source of organic and biological pollution
The studies conducted by PCRWR found four major contaminants in the groundwater which also the main source of drinking water in the country. These contaminants are: micro biological (fecal coliform), arsenic, nitrate and fluoride

11. Drinking Water Quality Monitoring Program (2002-2006)

12. Drinking Water Quality Profile of Rural Areas (2004-2011)
Sr. No.
Province
Districts
Tehsils
Union Councils
Villages
Samples Collected
No. of Water Samples
Safe
Unsafe
No.
%age 1
Punjab 12 49
1227
2090
10440
2183 21
8257 79 2
Sindh 3 54
149
745
212 28
533 72 KP 4 6
211
240
1200 89 7
1111 93
Balochistan
298
1465 05
0.3
1460 99 5
Federal Capital Area 30
150 61 41 59
Total 24 80
1567
2807
14000
2550 18
11450 82

13. Technical Assessment of Water Supply Schemes (2006-2012)
Province
Districts surveyed
Water supply schemes
Surveyed water supply schemes
Functional
Samples safe for drinking (%age)
Total
Urban
Rural
Punjab 33
4100
3883
746
3137
2725 17 23
Sindh 22
1300
1247
123
1124
529 5 KP 16
3000
2203
474
1729
1710 63 26
Balochistan 14
1600
1034
480
554
968 20 13
GB/AJK/FATA 10
2000
1794 18
1776
1379 8 2 95
12000
10161
1841
8320
7311

14. Major Contaminants
Wide spread Bacterial Contamination (All over the country)
Arsenic Contamination (Punjab & Sindh)
Fluoride & Nitrate Contamination (Balochistan, KP & Punjab)

15. Sustainable Groundwater Management
Increase the Resource Base
Rainwater harvesting: small, medium dams, ponds, micro catchments, rooftop)
Groundwater recharge (integrated watershed management approach)
Moisture conservation - spate irrigation, deep tillage, terracing etc.
Manage the Available Water Resources
Improving the conveyance efficiency: watercourse lining/improvement
Using high efficiency irrigation systems:
Changing the existing cropping pattern - introducing less water requiring crops/plants
Controlling installation of tubewells in active recharging zones of Karezes
Use of non conventional water resources; saline water wastewater etc.
Adopting proper irrigation scheduling
Educate the people
Mass awareness campaign for water development, conservation and management
Education breeds confidence, confidence breeds hope, hope breeds peace (Confucius)

16. An Arabic Phrase
Into the well from which you drink don't throw stones

17. Thank you www.pcrwr.gov.pk muhammad_ashraf63@yahoo.com