By Engineer Abdul Wali Yousafzai :
Pakistan’s federal capital and the adjoining garrison city Rawalpindi are grappling with an acute drinking water crisis, raising serious concerns over public health and governance. Despite being home to diplomatic missions and the country’s administrative machinery, the twin cities lack the basic facility of clean drinking water.
Supply Shortfall
The combined population of Islamabad and Rawalpindi is close to 10 million, with a daily water demand of around 220 million gallons. However, supply stands at only 140–150 million gallons per day, leaving a shortfall of 70–80 million gallons daily.
Key water sources include:
Khanpur Dam – supplies several sectors of both cities.
Simly Dam – caters mainly to Islamabad’s urban sectors.
Rawal Dam – a major source for Rawalpindi and parts of Islamabad.
Tube wells and boreholes – supplementing supply in multiple sectors.
Contaminated Water Sources
Several surveys and laboratory reports indicate that 90% of tube wells in the capital exceed safe limits of arsenic, fluoride, or bacterial contamination. In some areas, fecal coliform bacteria have been found in household water supplies, pointing to sewage infiltration.
The Rawal Dam, originally built to store drinking water for Rawalpindi and Islamabad, is now receiving an estimated 9 million gallons of untreated sewage and industrial waste daily through drains. Existing filtration plants are outdated and ineffective, leaving citizens exposed to unsafe water.
Health Implications
Hospitals in the twin cities are witnessing a surge in waterborne diseases directly linked to contaminated water. Common illnesses include hepatitis A and E, typhoid, cholera, diarrhea, and kidney and liver complications.
Areas with the highest reported contamination levels include Islamabad’s G-6, G-7, I-9, and I-10 sectors, and Rawalpindi’s Saddar, Raja Bazaar, Dhoke Hassu, and Committee Chowk. Even new housing colonies dependent on groundwater are reporting unsafe levels of arsenic and fluoride.
Urgent Recommendations
Experts warn that without immediate action, the water crisis may evolve into a survival threat for residents. Suggested measures include:
Installation of modern water treatment plants at Rawal Dam.
Development of a separate drainage system to prevent sewage inflow.
Mandatory quarterly laboratory testing of tube wells and dam supplies.
Public awareness campaigns to promote household water filtration and boiling.
Construction of new dams and reservoirs to meet future demand.
A National Concern
“Islamabad is the heart of Pakistan, yet its citizens are forced to drink contaminated water. If the capital is in such dire straits, the situation in other cities and villages can only be worse,” warned Engineer Abdul Wali Yousafzai.
Across Pakistan, the crisis is widespread. An estimated 90% of areas lack functional water treatment facilities, while the 10% of plants that exist are largely dysfunctional. This, the report concludes, is a national tragedy demanding urgent government and community action.
