Peshawar
The Water and Sanitation Services Peshawar (WSSP) and the National Institute of Urban Infrastructure Planning (NIUIP), University of Engineering & Technology (UET) Peshawar, have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to conduct a joint study on “Ground Water Mapping and Aquifer Assessment in Urban Peshawar.”
The agreement was signed by Director NIUIP Dr. Rashid Rehan and General Manager Planning, Monitoring, Evaluation & Reporting (PMER) WSSP, Syed Zameer-ul-Hassan, during a ceremony held at NIUIP. General Manager Projects WSSP, Dr. Mehboob Alam, and Assistant Professor NIUIP, Dr. Fayyaz A Khan, witnessed the signing.
The study will be financially supported by UNICEF and is expected to be completed within a year.
Under the agreement, the study will assess underground water reservoirs, analyzing the available water levels, extraction and usage rates, natural recharge processes, and the sustainability of groundwater reserves.
“Underground water is a valuable asset, and the study will propose measures to safeguard its quantity and quality while promoting natural recharge methods,” stated Dr. Rashid Rehan.
General Manager PMER WSSP, Syed Zameer-ul-Hassan, highlighted that the study will help determine water extraction rates for different areas and identify recharge zones to mitigate depletion.
The collaboration aims to enhance research in the water and sanitation sector, benefiting both professionals and society.
As per the MoU, the study will assess the spatial variation in different hydraulic properties of sub-soil and aquifers, quantify groundwater resources, and evaluate the future demand for water in residential and industrial sectors.
Additionally, infiltration capacities at different locations will be examined under dry and wet conditions, and groundwater flow directions will be mapped.
The study will also identify water-stressed areas in WSSP’s operational zones, quantify sustainable extraction rates, and propose locations for groundwater recharge wells.
Furthermore, the agreement includes training for staff from both organizations and the establishment of an appropriate groundwater model.
Dr. Rashid Rehan emphasized that certain restrictions on water usage have already been implemented in various cities across the country, making such studies essential for sustainable water management in urban centers like Peshawar.
