Geospatial Analysis and Data-driven Solutions for Water Resource

Management in Pakistan
Background summary:
Pakistan suffers from severe water scarcity in a number of locations. A few of these are
found in the provinces of Sindh, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KPK), and Baluchistan.
Districts like Tharparkar, Cholistan, and portions of Quetta within these regions
experience severe water shortages.
Overexploitation of groundwater resources is a major issue in many areas, including
parts of Punjab, Sindh, and Balochistan. Due to this, the availability of freshwater for
domestic and agricultural use has been impacted by rising salinity and declining water
tables.
The Himalayan and Karakoram mountain ranges, in particular, provide Pakistan with a
significant portion of the country's water supply. However, the sustainability of
water resources, river flows, and water availability in the downstream regions are all
long-term threats due to the melting of glaciers brought on by climate change.
The Water Stress Index (WSI) is a metric that measures a nation's level of water
scarcity. Given the information at hand, Pakistan's WSI is rated as high, indicating
severe water stress and scarcity.
Ineffective irrigation systems affect Pakistan's agricultural sector, which uses the
most water. Water loss and issues with water scarcity are caused by outdated irrigation
infrastructure, such as open canals and flood irrigation techniques.
Waterborne diseases are spread throughout many regions due to a lack of access to
clean drinking water and inadequate sanitation infrastructure. Public health is
significantly impacted by this, which highlights how crucial it is to address water scarcity.

Pakistan is blessed with abundant water resources but facing a critical water shortage
due to a lack of storage facilities, poor water governance, and the adverse impacts of
climate change. The burgeoning population at present 225 million, which is expected
to cross 250 million by 2025 is creating an additional burden on water resources, as per
capita availability is depleting sharply from 5,000 m3 in 1951 to 1,100 m3 in 2005,
which is expected to fall to 800 m3 by 2025. Pakistan’s water demand is increasing at
an average yearly rate of 10% which in terms of the area will increase to 338 km3 by
2025, against the availability of 240–258 km3. Out of the available surface water,
approximately 74% is extracted, while 83% of the groundwater is used for agricultural
and other uses, which is an exceptionally high ratio for a water-scarce country like
Pakistan. The adverse impacts of climate change are also causing extreme weather
conditions, resulting in drought and floods almost every year. Inadequate water
reservoirs, water wastage in agriculture and households, negligible wastewater
recycling, and contamination of drinking water are causing health risks that have turned
serious national security challenges for Pakistan.
(summary taken from Pakistan Water and Power Development Authority (WAPDA), Pakistan Council of Research in
Water Resources (PCRWR), International Water Management Institute (IWMI), as of September 2021)

Geology and information technology (IT) techniques will be combined in this project to
address potential water shortage issues in Pakistan. The project will use geospatial
analysis to evaluate the nation's water resources, forecast future water availability, and
create data-driven solutions for sustainable water resource management. The project
will also suggest cutting-edge technological interventions to optimize water usage and
promote effective water conservation practices by utilizing the power of IT.

Analyze the water resources available today.

• Existing Data Collection: Collect information from a variety of sources, such as
governmental organizations, academic institutions, and satellite imagery, on surface
water bodies, groundwater levels, and reservoir capacities.
• Field surveys and geological investigations should be carried out to gather information
on the quality, longevity, and geological features of groundwater aquifers.
• Remote Sensing Data: To get high-resolution information on water bodies, land cover,
and hydrological features, use remote sensing technologies like satellite imagery and
aerial surveys.

Forecast of future water availability.

• Hydrological Modeling: In order to simulate the behavior of water resources,
hydrological models should be developed that include historical data on precipitation,
temperature, and streamflow. Using data from observations, these models can be
calibrated and verified.
• Climate Change Projections: Use climate change models and scenarios to analyze
the potential effects of temperature changes and altered precipitation patterns on the
availability of water in the future.
• Population Growth Projections: To estimate future water demand and pinpoint
locations where water resources may be under more stress, consider demographic data
and population growth rates.
Identification of water-stressed areas.
• Hydrological Data Analysis: To determine the current condition of water resources,
analyze the hydrological data gathered, such as streamflow measurements and
groundwater monitoring.
• Socio-economic Factors: To pinpoint areas most at risk from water stress, integrate
socio-economic information, including agricultural practices, industrial pursuits, and
water consumption patterns.
• Population Density Analysis: Combine water demand estimates with data on
population density to pinpoint areas where the future demand-supply gap is anticipated
to widen.

Development of a geospatial database:

• Data Integration: Gather and incorporate all of the data into a centralized geospatial
database, including data on socioeconomic variables, land use, climate parameters,
and water resources.
• Data Quality Assurance: Utilize data validation methods and quality control
procedures to guarantee the accuracy, consistency, and completeness of the data.
• Geospatial Analysis: Apply GIS tools and methods to examine the spatial
relationships between water resources, land use patterns, and other pertinent variables.
conservation of water and demand control.
• Internet of Things (IoT) and smart metering: Use IoT devices and smart water meters
to gather real-time data on water consumption, including flow rates, usage trends, and
leaks.
• Data analytics: Utilize algorithms for data analytics to process and examine the
gathered data, finding patterns, trends, and anomalies in water usage to maximize
water conservation efforts.
• Behavioral Data: Use behavioral data, such as user feedback and surveys, to better
understand the attitudes, motives, and preferences of consumers in relation to water
conservation.

Water resources should be distributed in the best possible way.

• Geospatial Analysis: Use geospatial data and spatial analysis techniques to identify
the best distribution of the available water resources based on variables such as water
availability, demand, proximity, and infrastructure.
• Algorithms for optimization: Create mathematical models and algorithms for
optimization that consider various constraints and goals in order to distribute water
resources effectively and fairly.
• Decision Support Systems: Create instruments that support decision-making by
giving managers of water resources access to real-time data, simulations, and
visualizations.

An evaluation of the water infrastructure.

• Infrastructure Mapping: Use geospatial data and mapping methods to evaluate the
capacity, effectiveness, and state of the art of the current water infrastructure, including
canals, pipelines, and storage facilities.
• Asset Management Systems: Implement asset management IT-based systems to
monitor and maintain water infrastructure, enabling proactive maintenance and reducing
water loss.
• Risk Analysis: Perform risk assessments to pinpoint weak spots in the water
distribution system and establish a repair or upgrade priority list.

Exploration and management of water resources.

• Geophysical Surveys: To investigate potential groundwater resources and assess
their viability and sustainability, use geophysical techniques like resistivity or seismic
surveys.
• Data Integration and Analysis: Combine geological data, hydrological models, and
remote sensing data to find suitable sites for new reservoirs, water storage facilities, or
artificial recharge systems.
• IT-based decision support systems should be created to provide real-time data on
water availability, extraction rates, and sustainable management techniques.

the water-energy nexus.

• Water-Energy Modeling: Create integrated models that take into account how the
water and energy sectors are interdependent in order to maximize the use of water in
the production of electricity and find opportunities for energy-efficient water treatment
and distribution.
• Renewable Energy Integration: Investigate the use of renewable energy sources,
such as solar or wind power, to power water treatment facilities, pumping stations, and
desalination facilities, reducing dependence on fossil fuels.
• Energy Recovery Systems: Include energy recovery systems in your water treatment
procedures to capture energy from pressure or wastewater zones, increasing your
process' overall energy effectiveness.
Monitoring and correction of the water quality.
• Sensor Networks: Use sensor networks to monitor water quality parameters in real-
time, such as pH, dissolved oxygen, and pollutant levels, in order to identify
contamination events and facilitate quick corrective action.
• Water Treatment Optimization: Use data-driven models and algorithms to streamline
water treatment procedures, ensuring efficient contaminant removal while reducing
chemical and energy consumption.
• Geospatial Analysis of Pollution Sources: Analyze geospatial data to identify and
prioritize pollution sources, such as industrial zones or agricultural areas, and
implement focused pollution control measures.

Public awareness and instruction:

Use interactive data visualization tools to communicate water scarcity, usage trends,
and conservation strategies to the general public in order to raise awareness and
encourage behavioral changes.
• Mobile Applications: Create mobile applications that provide information on water-
saving techniques, nearby water sources, and water conservation initiatives, enabling
people to make educated decisions.
• Education Programs: Work with educational organizations to integrate water
conservation and sustainable practices into the curriculum, promoting responsible water
usage from a young age.

Conclusion:

Finally, by fusing geology and IT technologies to address Pakistan's future water

scarcity issue, this project has enormous potential to ease the water crisis. The project
aims to enhance the knowledge, management, and sustainability of water resources in
Pakistan through evaluation of the current water resources, forecasting the future
availability of water resources, identifying areas with a water shortage, creating
geospatial databases, putting water conservation measures into place, and optimizing
the distribution of water resources.
Data collection, including surface water data, groundwater surveys, and remote sensing
methods, can result in a thorough understanding of water availability and quality.
Decision-making and policy development are facilitated by this data-driven approach.
Vulnerable areas can be identified and targeted water stress reduction measures can be
implemented by combining socioeconomic factors and population growth projections.

The creation of centralized geospatial databases makes it possible to manage and

analyze data effectively, allowing for the analysis of the spatial relationships between
water resources, land use patterns, and other important factors. This geospatial
analysis can aid in streamlining water distribution to ensure effective use and fair
distribution.

When used in conjunction with IT tools like IoT gadgets, smart meters, and data
analytics, water consumption can be tracked in real-time, leaks can be found, and
behavioral analysis can be done to enhance water conservation and demand
management procedures.
In addition, decision support systems and optimization algorithms assist water
managers and policy makers in making decisions about resource management, energy
efficiency, and water infrastructure.

Additionally, the project stresses the value of public education, pollution prevention, and
water quality monitoring. Water pollution can be detected early, remediation plans can
be put in place, and pollution sources can be stopped by utilizing sensor networks, data-
driven models, and geospatial analyses. Public awareness campaigns, data
visualizations, and educational initiatives help to create a culture of responsible water
use and give people the tools they need to take part in water conservation initiatives.