Kabul Faces Worsening Water Crisis With Contaminated Groundwater

Kabul is facing a severe water crisis characterized by rapidly declining groundwater levels and poor water quality, forcing many residents to rely on expensive private water suppliers. The crisis is driven by rapid urbanization, years of conflict-related mismanagement, and climate change, resulting in difficult choices for families between buying water or food. Local residents report wells drying up within years and express concerns about over-extraction and contamination, while the electricity-dependent water supply adds to the challenge. Experts warn that without urgent action, Kabul's groundwater could be depleted by 2030, though some caution that available data is limited. The Taliban government has initiated small-scale projects like water recycling and building dams but faces major hurdles due to limited financing, technical capacity, and lack of international recognition. Meanwhile, the population growth continues to outpace urban planning, exacerbating the water shortages and contamination problems.