ISLAMABAD: Taking notice of the mushroom growth of illegal water hydrants in the federal capital, the district administration has launched a large-scale operation across various parts of the city, removing dozens of unauthorised hydrants.
A significant number of hydrants were dismantled in Tarnol, Sangjani, Fatehjang Road and Sector H-13 during the operation.
A senior official of the local administration told Dawn that some owners of illegal hydrants resisted the operation and misbehaved with officials. Police assistance was therefore sought to ensure the smooth conduct of the crackdown.
In addition to removing illegal water bores, from where water tankers were being filled and sold commercially, cases were registered against the owners at the relevant police stations. The authorities have also warned that stricter action would be taken if the hydrants are re-established.
The official said the unchecked growth of illegal hydrants and tankers has pushed the twin cities towards “water scarcity,” as families are forced to pay between Rs2,200 and Rs2,500 for a tanker in Islamabad and Rawalpindi to meet their daily water needs.
The business of illegal water bowsers and hydrants has expanded rapidly, prompting local administrations to act against operators who extract groundwater without regulation.
According to rough estimates, hundreds of illegal hydrants and tankers are operating in the twin cities. Officials say the issue requires regulation by civic authorities such as the Capital Development Authority (CDA) and the Water and Sanitation Agency (Wasa).
At present, CDA’s primary water sources are Simly Dam and its tube wells, while Wasa relies on Rawal Dam and its tube wells to supply water to Rawalpindi.
However, the rapid increase in private hydrants has significantly affected groundwater levels in several localities.
“Due to illegal hydrants, our whole village has dried up. It is unfair that a person extracts the share of water meant for the entire village and sells it,” said Akhtar Shah, a resident of Dhoke Sandaymar.
A senior district administration official acknowledged that authorities had not adequately addressed such issues in rural areas of Islamabad, adding that the matter fell under the jurisdiction of the Islamabad administration or local government.
He said that banning private tube wells would require the government to ensure an uninterrupted public water supply to residents.
Published in Dawn, February 16th, 2026
