Rawalpindi Faces 21MGD Daily Water Shortfall as Daducha Dam Nears Completion

The Rawalpindi water shortfall has reached 21 million gallons a day, an official briefing has revealed. The city’s Water and Sanitation Agency (Wasa) needs 72 million gallons a day but can supply only 51 million gallons.

Rawalpindi Commissioner Salman Ghani chaired a meeting on water resources and supply on Monday, where officials reviewed the gap and the progress of ongoing projects. The commissioner directed the departments concerned to speed up work on the projects and complete them within their stipulated timelines.

The meeting decided that work on the water schemes would continue on a war footing until the shortfall is closed.

Daducha Dam and the Rawalpindi water shortfall

Officials told the meeting that construction work on Daducha Dam had reached 92 per cent completion. Under the project, the city will receive 35 million gallons of treated water every day through a 28-kilometre transmission line and a water treatment plant. The complete network is expected to be ready by December 2029.

The meeting also set December 2027 as the target for completing the water treatment and filtration plant at Chahan Dam. The project is expected to benefit more than 250,000 residents.

Under Wasa’s master plan, Rawalpindi is also expected to receive an additional 28 million gallons of water a day from Chrah Dam. Officials also reviewed work on Rawal Dam.

Director Development Nazarat Ali, Wasa Managing Director Azizullah Khan and officials of the Small Dams organisation and other departments attended the meeting.

Rs36 billion project in the background

The Daducha scheme is part of a Rs36 billion surface water treatment plant and supply system approved by the Punjab government. The project will add 35 million gallons of treated water a day to Rawalpindi’s supply network through a treatment plant, a transmission line and a distribution network, with completion targeted for December 2029.

Land acquisition for the treatment plant is already under way. The authorities have moved to acquire 25 acres near Kak Pul for the plant, the pumping station and the distribution system.

The push for new supply comes as residents across the region complain about water quality and availability. Concerns over drinking water quality have also been raised in Islamabad, while filtration plants in south Punjab have struggled with muddy water.

*Source: The Express Tribune’s report on the water shortfall.*

FAQs

How much water does Rawalpindi need every day?

Rawalpindi needs 72 million gallons of water a day, but the available supply is 51 million gallons, leaving a shortfall of 21 million gallons.

When will the Daducha Dam water project be completed?

The dam itself is 92 per cent complete. The full supply network, including the 28-kilometre transmission line and the treatment plant, is expected to be ready by December 2029.

Which projects will help end Rawalpindi’s water shortfall?

Daducha Dam will add 35 million gallons a day, Chrah Dam is expected to add 28 million gallons a day, and the Chahan Dam treatment plant will benefit more than 250,000 residents.