The Local Government, Elections and Rural Development Department has decided to install water flow meters in major cities of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa under the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Cities Improvement Project to promote water conservation and improve monitoring.
The department is also installing SCADA systems on tube wells and replacing old and rusted water pipelines in Peshawar, Kohat, Abbottabad, and Mingora. Officials said the measures aim to reduce non revenue water, control over extraction of groundwater, and cut energy and operational costs for water utilities.
Authorities warned that groundwater levels in all four cities are under severe stress due to population growth and climate impacts. Data from Water and Sanitation Services Companies show a steady decline in aquifers, raising concerns that water levels could fall below natural recharge capacity if corrective steps are not taken.
To address losses and improve water quality, the project includes large scale pipeline replacement across the four cities. Officials said aging infrastructure has contributed to leakages, wastage, and declining supply, particularly during peak summer months.
Water demand already exceeds supply in several cities, forcing residents to rely on private borewells and water tankers. Officials also said excessive groundwater extraction has caused several tube wells to dry up, further straining urban water systems.