Groundwater Aquifer Rejuvenation Demonstration Pilot Project for Balochistan
Pilot and Demonstration Activity: Pakistan
Groundwater Aquifer Rejuvenation Demonstration Pilot Project for Balochistan
This PDA demonstrated successful technologies for enabling the water stored at existing delay action dams to be put into shallow aquifers in Balochistan.
| Project site | Balochistan, Pakistan |
|---|---|
| Cost | US$ 49,850 |
| Status | Completed |
| Approval date | April 2005 |
| Completion date | April 2007 |
| Category | Basin Management |
| ADB officer |
Safdar Parvez |
| Partner | IUCN Pakistan |
Pakistan's desert climate means temperature can be as high as 40° Celsius and annual rainfall is low, causing surface water bodies to evaporate rapidly. In the past, groundwater was tapped through the traditional “karez,” a system of wells that draw from the water table. Today, however, the country’s groundwater resources are fast depleting.
Initially, delay action dams (DADs), which allow deep percolation through the reservoirs’ beds, served as solutions to restoring groundwater resources. However, studies show that high content of fine clay brought by runoff gets deposited and rapidly seals the beds. Consequently, the dams now act as mere evaporation ponds with little to no recharge through the beds. The need to control the situation, at the same time ensure that investments in DADs do not go to waste, is now urgent.
- Increased recharge in shallow aquifer system resulting in increased flow in “karezes” and water levels in open wells
- Increased understanding of recharge mechanism and technology among policy makers, planners and engineering community
- Final Report (April 2007) [ PDF ]
- Mid-Term Report (June 2006) [ PDF ]
- Inception Report (July 2005) [ PDF ]
- Proposal (May 2005) [ PDF ]
- Country Water Action: Restoring Community-Based Water Systems to Alleviate Poverty in Southern Baluchistan, Pakistan
- Installed recharge structures (boreholes and infiltration galleries) in two dams; downstream of the Murghi Kotal Dam and upstream of the Dargai Dam to increase recharge for increased flow in “karezes” and water levels in open wells
- Constructed a leaky structure at the upstream side of Dargai dam to delay the flow of water and filter it before releasing it into the recharge systems.
- Conducted meetings with villagers and other stakeholders to explain the interventions, the proposed technologies, and their needed collaboration for maintaining the project structures
Read the final report. [ PDF ]
- Know more about PDA principles.
- Read about the Application Process.
- Know the PDA Proposal Guidelines.
- Download the Application Form.
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