Herat leads massive water conservation effort with 80,000 absorption wells

In response to a severe and persistent drought, officials and residents in Herat province have launched a large-scale effort to address escalating water scarcity.

The initiative has already produced more than 80,000 absorption wells, reflecting both urgency and coordination across public institutions and local communities.

These wells are intended to capture rainwater and seasonal snowmelt before runoff is lost, redirecting it underground to replenish depleted aquifers.

Groundwater levels in some parts of Afghanistan have fallen to dangerous lows, increasing pressure on households, agriculture, and essential services throughout the province.

Authorities view the project as a practical response that relies on available resources while engaging residents directly in water conservation efforts.

Community-led action

Abdullah Ahmadi, technical advisor at the Herat Water and Energy Department, reported a rapid expansion of absorption well construction throughout urban and public spaces.

"The digging of absorption wells has expanded to marketplaces, bathhouses, car washes, industrial parks, government offices, universities, schools, and mosques," TOLOnews quoted him as saying

"This process continues daily and is closely monitored by our technical staff to ensure its effectiveness."

Strong community participation has become a defining feature of the initiative, with local organizations actively contributing financial and logistical support.

In Herat city, the fruit vendors’ association has played a leading role by funding numerous wells in high-traffic commercial areas.

Abdul Ahad Rahmani, head of the association, said that collective action was necessary given the scale of water loss, TOLOnews reported.

Twenty one wells, each 15 meters deep, were dug within a single 16,000-square-meter area under their supervision, he said.

Rahmani expressed hope that these measures would reduce water waste and help protect water availability for future generations.

Long-term impact

Environmental experts stress that the absorption well strategy is increasingly necessary as groundwater extraction continues to rise.

Jasem Aslami, an environmental specialist, said unchecked groundwater use has made natural recharge insufficient for current demand.

"With the significant increase in groundwater usage, we must capture rainwater by all possible means," he said.

These wells are a vital source of recharge for our groundwater, he said, both locally and for the wider environment.

Rainwater in canals and streams often goes unused, but directing it into absorption wells allows it to rejoin groundwater and be reused.

Together, officials, experts, and residents view this community-driven effort as a critical step toward stabilizing Herat’s fragile water future.