Press Release: Rainwater harvesting and groundwater recharge facilities established at two leading educational institutions in Quetta have delivered encouraging outcomes during one of Balochistan’s most intense drought periods in recent years, according to officials.
Data from the Pakistan Meteorological Department shows that Balochistan received nearly 52 percent below-average rainfall in 2025, placing extraordinary stress on groundwater reserves that meet the bulk of Quetta’s water demand.
To address the escalating water scarcity, the International Water Management Institute (IWMI), through the European Union–supported Revival of Balochistan Water Resources Programme (RBWRP), installed rainwater collection and aquifer recharge systems at the Balochistan University of Information Technology, Engineering and Management Sciences (BUITEMS) and the Balochistan Agriculture College (BAC).
The performance of these systems was assessed during rainfall events in December 2025. On December 20, around five millimetres of rain fell in Quetta, filling storage tanks at BUITEMS close to their maximum capacity without activating groundwater recharge. However, heavier rainfall of approximately 13 millimetres between December 30 and 31 filled the tanks completely, triggering the recharge mechanism. Monitoring indicated that about four cubic metres of water were successfully injected into the aquifer, with Total Dissolved Solids measured at 155 parts per million, well within acceptable limits for safe recharge.
At the Balochistan Agriculture College, rainfall during the same period filled a 286,500-litre storage pond, while excess water contributed an estimated 1.5 cubic metres to groundwater recharge, demonstrating the added advantage of larger storage infrastructure.
In addition to rainwater, the BUITEMS system also captures overflow from overhead water tanks, which is routinely stored and used for horticultural purposes, further enhancing water efficiency.
Deputy Country Representative IWMI Dr. Muhammad Arshad, along with project officials Shamsher Shah and Mueez Shehzad, stated that the initiative is designed to maximize the use of rainwater for institutional and landscaping needs while simultaneously restoring depleted aquifers. They emphasized that the successful December rainfall trials proved the technical effectiveness of the systems.
Officials noted that similar models could be scaled up across other drought-affected areas of Balochistan, offering a practical and sustainable solution to improve water security and build resilience against climate variability.
