The Water and Sanitation Department (WASA, for the first time ever, has managed to take control and stop the decline of underground water aquifer by taking constructive measures.

Since the year 1960, underground water was depleting by one metre per year which means it was going down by 3.37 foot yearly. In 1960, the minimum underground water level was 5.7 metres whereas the maximum was 15.69 metres. Compared to this, in 2018, the minimum level was 23.500 metres and the maximum level was 50.150 metres.

In the following year, that is 2019, the water levels improved and reached 23 metres at minimum and 50 metres maximum. The water level remained in the year 2020 as well.

WASA Managing Director Syed Zahid Aziz said drinking water in Pakistan has declined by six times per capita since 1960.

Furthermore, he added that the annual drop in Lahore’s underground water aquifer was up to 1 metre per annum but for the last three years, the underground aquifer has not decreased.

The MD was pleased with the progress and exclaimed that if the water levels remain the same, then the city will not have to deal with water scarcity in the coming years.