WaveSave Designs Innovative Rainwater Harvesting Systems
Pakistan
Project Overview
Background & Goal
Pakistan faces critical water security issues, with per capita annual water availability below 1,000 cubic meters—significantly under the global water security threshold. Despite sufficient seasonal rainfall in many areas, the absence of effective rainwater harvesting infrastructure results in massive water wastage, while unsustainable groundwater extraction depletes aquifers. Urban centers like Lahore, Karachi, and Islamabad lack integrated water management systems to capture, store, and utilize water.
The goal of the project was to design and develop scalable, sustainable rainwater harvesting systems for urban and agricultural settings in Pakistan, while creating a blueprint and project proposal for nationwide implementation to enhance water security and climate resilience.
Solution
WaveSave delivered an integrated water management solution through five strategic components:
- New Rainwater Harvesting System Design
- Technology Integration Framework
- Implementation Blueprint Development
- Community-Centered Capacity Building
- Project Proposal Development
Clients and Donors
Primary client is the Pakistan Council of Research in Water Resources (PCRWR) with financial support by United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP).
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Location
Location: PMAS-Arid Agriculture University (Rawalpindi) and PCRWR Building (Lahore)
Timeline: 2024 – 2025
Project impact
- Advanced Drought Risk Understanding
- Proactive Drought Strategies
- Enhanced Water Security
- Strengthened Agricultural Productivity
- Advanced Community Engagement
- Sustainable Implementation Model
Gallery
Key highlights
SLAMDAM is a mobile flood barrier designed to provide rapid and effective flood protection. Unlike traditional flood defenses, SLAMDAM can be deployed quickly.
Rapid deployment
Deployed 200 m of SLAMDAM in less than 2 hours to prevent glacier-melt flooding.
Community training
Local teams were trained in deploying and managing SLAMDAM and the early warning system.
Early warning system
Enhanced early flood warning with integrated monitoring and communication tools.
Resilience building
Reduced flood damage to homes and protected 250 hectares of farmland.
Early warning system
Enhanced early flood warning with integrated monitoring and communication tools.
Sustainable impact
Increased long-term flood resilience through community empowerment and scalable technology
Testimonials
What our clients say
The SLAMDAM project has successfully demonstrated how innovative flood barriers can protect vulnerable areas in Gilgit-Baltistan, offering a sustainable solution for flood management..
Dr. Muhammad Zia ur Rahman Hashmi
Head of Water Resources & Glaciology, Islamabad,
Pakistan
SLAMDAM has transformed our community’s resilience to floods. With the technology and training, we now feel empowered to protect our homes and livelihoods.
Naveed Alam
Community Leader Passu Community
The SLAMDAM project has successfully demonstrated how innovative flood barriers can protect vulnerable areas in Gilgit-Baltistan, offering a sustainable solution for flood management..
Dr. Muhammad Zia ur Rahman Hashmi
Head of Water Resources & Glaciology, Islamabad,
Pakistan
