Rainwater Harvesting in Pakistan: Prospects and Challenges

Preamble

Pakistan is on the path to becoming a water-scarce country. If sustainable solutions are not implemented in time to store water and regenerate groundwater resources, urban centres and agriculture needs are feared to remain unmet. The blog discusses the concept of rainwater harvesting and the prospects and challenges associated with it. The blog also presents why Pakistan should adopt the practice for efficient water use and management.

Research Questions

1. What is rainwater harvesting?
2. What are its uses and importance?
3. Why should Pakistan focus on adopting the practice?
4. What are the challenges and prospects of rainwater harvesting?

Introduction

Pakistan is a predominantly agriculture-based economy, and a significant amount of the country’s exports consist of agricultural products such as rice, sugar, cotton, fish, fruits, and vegetables (Workman, 2020). Having such a large dependence on agriculture presents a challenge as Pakistan is part of 36 countries that are water-stressed (Worldwater and Solar Technologies, 2019). There are less than a thousand cubic feet of water available for a single person. The effects of this water shortage can also be seen in the lives of everyday citizens as over 84 percent of people in Pakistan do not have access to clean water (Dawn, 2017). Several factors have contributed to this water shortage in Pakistan, such as an increase in urban population, agriculture, water mismanagement, and climate change. There is much debate and discussion on the creation of dams and the government recently launched a $14 billion project to build two dams, but there is another effective method, rainwater harvesting, which can remedy the depleting groundwater resources, help cover the need for non-drinking purposes, cover the agriculture needs, and reduce stormwater flooding and erosion of land (Worldwater and Solar Technologies, 2019). Therefore, rainwater harvesting can prove to be an inexpensive solution for Pakistan’s water shortage crisis, and if implemented properly, it can expand water storage, reduce water wastage, improve water productivity, and develop a system to manage surface and groundwater.

Why Pakistan Needs to Adopt Rainwater Harvesting

Pakistan continues to face severe floods and droughts due to lack of planning for the last many years. There is a need to formulate a policy on water as the country is expected to face acute water shortages in the coming years. With 80 percent of rainfalls occurring during the monsoon season within a period of two to three months, storage of rainwater is the only solution to the food and water security challenges of Pakistan (Ahmed, 2016). The meteorology department can play its part by gauging the amount of rainfall expected so that the necessary arrangements can be made beforehand. Most of the rainfall in Pakistan is experienced in the mountains followed by Potohar and then plain areas. There is a potential of 13000 ponds in just four districts of Potohar. This stored water can also change the traditional system of agriculture to the production of fruits and vegetables. Agriculture in Pakistan is not only canal-based, but it also requires a significant amount of groundwater extraction. The existing canal system cannot fulfil the water requirements for crops, and most of the irrigation water is now being taken from the ground. This will wreak havoc in the future if these groundwater reserves are not recharged and may also lead to desertification. Water is also being wasted in Punjab on a massive scale in major urban centres and manufacturing of textiles and leather. Collective efforts for rainwater harvesting can bring a revolution in livelihood in this country.

What is Rainwater Harvesting

Rainwater harvesting is the practice of collecting and storing rainwater for later consumption for a variety of different purposes. Rainwater harvesting differs from stormwater harvesting as water is collected from roofs rather than drains, roads, or any other land surfaces. It is one of the simplest and oldest methods for self-supply of water for homes and residential projects, but recently, governments and organisations are looking on its large-scale implementation for agriculture and restoration of groundwater reserves in areas affected by climate change or growing urbanisation (RWSN, 2020). Rainwater harvesting systems can range from simple rain barrels to more complex systems with pumps, tanks, and purification technologies. With water scarcity becoming a pressing issue for densely populated regions, rainwater harvesting can supply homes and businesses with water for use in dry seasons and lessen the demand on municipal systems. As much of rain falls on buildings, roofs, roads, and other landscapes, the water does not reach the soil. Non-permeable surfaces, such as paved roads, also become a source of flooding in most urban landscapes. Rainwater harvesting can be simple or complex based on the different use cases. It can come cheap in the form of a single home-based solution, or an expensive in case of building rainwater dams. The water collected from rainwater harvesting is not always fit for human consumption and requires proper filtration if intended to be used for drinking and cooking. Innovations in the design of collection devices have greatly increased the efficiency with which rainwater is collected, and the technology is now being used to automate systems and keep track of data, which can be used for weather predictions and climate change studies.

Prospects and Challenges for Rainwater Harvesting

Rainwater harvesting provides the best possible alternative source of water where existing water sources are depleting amid a growing population. The solution not only caters to domestic needs but it also significantly decreases labour for women in rural areas. The method also helps mitigate flooding of low-lying areas and reduces demand for well-water, ultimately restoring the groundwater reserves. In areas where clean water is costly or difficult to attain, rainwater can become a vital source of clean water. When a drought occurs, rainwater stored previously can be used. Countries with arid environments can construct ridges of soil to trap and prevent rainwater from running downhill. Lastly, owing to its cost-effectiveness and eco-friendliness, rainwater harvesting is a widely applicable solution for developing countries facing poverty in their regions.

The challenges associated with rainwater harvesting often result from finding the appropriate location for placement of water collection and storage systems. There has been much research on the matter, but there remains no ideal model for finding out the correct location and the matter remains a hit and miss trial. Extensive research is needed on weather patterns and location surveys by taking into consideration several parameters such as slope, runoff potential, land use, soil quality, and hydrology of the site. Another challenge is to properly analyse rainwater to determine its appropriate use. If the water collected has harmful compounds, then it cannot be used for human consumption while being suitable for other areas such as irrigation and heating etc. Lastly, rainwater harvesting systems can range in complexity. Some systems require minimal skills, while others can require more than just plumbing expertise. Therefore, there are challenges to implementing the system but nothing which cannot be overcome.

Conclusion

As underground water resources continue to deplete and demand for water increases due to growing population and agriculture, rainwater harvesting provides an easy and inexpensive solution to the growing water problems of Pakistan. Although the systems range in complexity, they are largely inexpensive and easy to implement. The water stored can be used for a variety of purposes ranging from domestic and agricultural use to human consumption.

Key Takeaways

1. Pakistan is a predominantly agriculture-based economy, and a significant amount of the country’s exports consist of agricultural products such as rice, sugar, cotton, fish, fruits, and vegetables.
2. Rainwater harvesting can prove to be an inexpensive solution for Pakistan’s water shortage crisis, and if implemented properly, it can expand water storage, reduce water wastage, improve water productivity, and develop a system to manage surface and groundwater.
3. With 80 percent of rainfalls occurring during the monsoon season within a period of two to three months, storage of rainwater is the only solution to the food and water security challenges of Pakistan
4. There is a potential of 13000 ponds in just four districts of Potohar.
5. Agriculture in Pakistan is not only canal-based, but it also requires a significant amount of groundwater extraction.
6. Rainwater harvesting systems can range from simple rain barrels to more complex systems with pumps, tanks, and purification technologies.

Bibliography

Ahmed, R. N. (2016). Rainwater Harvesting. Retrieved from Dawn: https://www.dawn.com/news/1274534

Britannica. (2019). Rainwater Harvesting System. Retrieved from Britannica: https://www.britannica.com/technology/rainwater-harvesting-system#ref315023

Dawn. (2017). ‘84pc of population lacks access to safe drinking water’. Retrieved from Dawn: https://www.dawn.com/news/1319157

RWSN. (2020). Self-supply. Retrieved from RWSN: https://www.rural-water-supply.net/en/self-supply

Workman, D. (2020). Pakistan’s Top Exports. Retrieved from World’s top exports: http://www.worldstopexports.com/pakistans-top-10-exports/

Worldwater and Solar Technologies. (2019). The water crisis in Pakistan. Retrieved from Worldwater and Solar Technologies: https://www.worldwatersolar.com/the-water-crisis-in-pakistan/#:~:text=There%20is%20a%20water%20crisis,water%20system%20and%20climate%20change.

Zameen. (n.d.). Some exports that every pakistani should be proud of. Retrieved from Zameen.com: https://www.zameen.com/blog/major-exports-pakistan.html#:~:text=The%20major%20exports%20of%20Pakistan%20include%20textiles%2C%20leather%20and%20sports,fish%2C%20fruits%2C%20and%20vegetables.