Quetta’s Groundwater Level Falls to Alarming Low, Water Crisis Intensifies
QUETTA: The water crisis in Quetta has taken a serious turn as the city’s groundwater level continues to decline, while alleged malfunctioning of several Water and Sanitation Agency (WASA) tube wells and an uneven distribution system have added to the difficulties faced by residents.
Public circles have called for indiscriminate action against illegal tube wells and demanded improvements in the water supply and distribution system.
According to residents, groundwater reserves in Quetta are rapidly depleting, resulting in an increasingly severe shortage of drinking water in various parts of the city. They said available water resources had become extremely limited compared with growing demand, while excessive extraction through illegal tube wells was further aggravating the situation.
Citizens alleged that areas including Alamdar Road, Sarki Road, Pashtunabad and other localities had received little or no water through WASA pipelines for several months. They also alleged that a number of WASA tube wells had been deliberately rendered non-functional, disrupting water supplies.
Public representatives said water tankers were being used to supply water to some areas facing shortages. However, they claimed that a lack of transparency in the tanker supply system was creating further difficulties for residents.
They also called for an investigation into the alleged collusion between a “tractor mafia” involved in water supply and WASA employees. They said that if negligence, collusion or assistance in illegal activities by any government official or WASA employee was established, action should be taken against those responsible under the law.
The residents stressed that water, a basic necessity, should not be allowed to become a source of business or profiteering at the expense of citizens.
They urged the government and WASA to conduct a comprehensive survey of all tube wells in Quetta, take action against illegal tube wells and immediately restore malfunctioning government tube wells.
Public circles also demanded a transparent water distribution system, with priority given to areas where residents have been without water for several consecutive days.
They said the government must undertake long-term planning to address the continuous decline in groundwater levels; otherwise, Quetta’s water crisis could become even more severe in the coming years.
Residents urged the Balochistan chief minister, the Public Health Engineering Department and senior WASA officials to take immediate notice of the situation and order transparent investigations into water supply problems, tube-well failures and the alleged illegal water business to provide relief to citizens.
