Rainwater Harvesting in Quetta Shows Hope: 5 Powerful Lessons From Drought-Hit Balochistan

Rainwater harvesting in Quetta has emerged as a hopeful and resilient solution amid one of the worst droughts Balochistan has faced in recent years. With groundwater levels rapidly declining and rainfall becoming increasingly erratic, new water management interventions are proving that even small amounts of rain can make a meaningful difference.

Recent installations of rainwater harvesting and groundwater recharge systems at two major educational institutions in Quetta have shown promising early results, according to officials involved in the project. These developments highlight a powerful shift toward sustainable water governance in Pakistan’s most water-stressed province.

Balochistan’s Worsening Drought and Water Stress

Balochistan remains one of Pakistan’s most climate-vulnerable regions. According to the Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD), the province received nearly 52% less rainfall than average in 2025, intensifying water scarcity across urban and rural areas.

Quetta, the provincial capital, depends heavily on groundwater to meet domestic, institutional, and agricultural water needs. Over-extraction, combined with reduced recharge, has caused alarming declines in aquifer levels—posing serious risks to long-term water security.

(External DoFollow link: Pakistan Meteorological Department – https://www.pmd.gov.pk)

EU-Funded Programme Supporting Sustainable Water Solutions

In response to this growing crisis, the International Water Management Institute (IWMI) implemented rainwater harvesting infrastructure under the European Union-funded Revival of Balochistan Water Resources Programme (RBWRP).

The initiative focuses on:

• Capturing rainwater
• Reducing groundwater depletion
• Improving recharge efficiency
• Demonstrating scalable water solutions for arid regions

International Water Management Institute – https://www.iwmi.cgiar.org)
European Union Development Cooperation – https://international-partnerships.ec.europa.eu)

How Rainwater Harvesting Systems Work in Quetta

BUITEMS Recharge Infrastructure

At the Balochistan University of Information Technology, Engineering and Management Sciences (BUITEMS), rainwater harvesting systems were designed to collect rooftop runoff and channel it into storage tanks and recharge wells.

On December 20, 2025, Quetta received approximately 5mm of rainfall. While this rainfall did not trigger groundwater recharge, it successfully filled storage tanks close to capacity—demonstrating effective collection efficiency.

Balochistan Agriculture College Storage System

At the Balochistan Agriculture College (BAC), a much larger storage pond with a capacity of 286,500 litres was installed. During the same rainfall period, the pond filled completely, with overflow contributing to groundwater recharge.

Measurable Results From December 2025 Rainfall

A heavier rainfall event between December 30–31, 2025, delivered around 13mm of rain, producing tangible groundwater recharge results:

• BUITEMS:
  • Storage tanks filled fully
  • 4 cubic metres of water recharged into the aquifer
• BAC:
  • Pond overflow contributed 1.5 cubic metres to groundwater recharge

These figures may appear modest, but in an arid environment like Quetta, even small recharge volumes significantly slow groundwater decline.

Water Quality and Groundwater Safety

Ensuring water quality is essential for safe recharge. Monitoring data revealed Total Dissolved Solids (TDS) at 155 parts per million, well within internationally accepted standards for groundwater recharge.

This confirms that rainwater harvesting in Quetta is not only effective but also environmentally safe—addressing concerns related to contamination or aquifer degradation.

Institutional and Horticultural Benefits

Beyond recharge, the systems offer additional benefits:

• Stored rainwater is used for horticulture and landscaping
• At BUITEMS, overhead tank overflow is captured and reused
• Reduced reliance on groundwater pumping
• Lower operational water costs for institutions

(Internal link suggestion: Read more on sustainable water management in Pakistan – link to your related article)

Expert Insights on Long-Term Sustainability

IWMI Deputy Country Representative Dr Muhammad Arshad, along with project officials Shamsher Shah and Mueez Shehzad, emphasized that the initiative aims to balance immediate water needs with long-term aquifer sustainability.

They noted that the December rainfall events confirmed the operational effectiveness of the systems and validated the design assumptions for arid climates like Balochistan.

Why Rainwater Harvesting in Quetta Matters for the Future

Climate projections for Pakistan suggest:

• Increased rainfall variability
• Longer dry spells
• Higher evaporation rates

In this context, rainwater harvesting in Quetta offers a climate-resilient adaptation strategy that aligns with:

• Pakistan’s National Water Policy
• Climate adaptation goals
• Sustainable Development Goal 6 (Clean Water and Sanitation)

(External DoFollow link: UN SDG 6 – https://sdgs.un.org/goals/goal6)

Replication Potential Across Drought-Prone Balochistan

One of the most powerful outcomes of this initiative is its replication potential. Similar systems can be installed at:

• Schools and colleges
• Government buildings
• Hospitals
• Mosques and community centres

With proper policy support, rainwater harvesting could become a standard urban water practice across Balochistan.

(Internal link suggestion: Balochistan drought and climate resilience initiatives – link to your archive)

Conclusion: A Resilient Water Model for Arid Pakistan

The early success of rainwater harvesting in Quetta demonstrates that smart, low-cost infrastructure can deliver real impact—even during severe drought conditions. While not a silver bullet, such systems offer a hopeful and sustainable pathway toward water resilience in one of Pakistan’s most vulnerable regions.

As climate pressures intensify, scaling up rainwater harvesting could play a decisive role in safeguarding groundwater, strengthening institutional resilience, and securing water for future generations in Balochistan.