1. Location / Address of the office

Director-I, SMO WAPDA
3-Canal Bank Mughalpura
Lahore

2. In-charge of the office

Abdul Hameed, Director-I
Off. 99250173
Fax 99250172
Residence 37562850
Mobile No. 0300-6061058

3. Brief history/Background

Irrigation system acts as a backbone of the economy. With the introduction of extensive weir controlled irrigation network, the natural equilibrium between ground water recharge and discharge has been disturbed. It has resulted in a rise in watertable adversely affecting soil productivity through excessive salt intrusion and saturation of the root zone. Excess down pour, during the wet spell, accelerates the pace of waterlogging, whereas, dry spell coupled with reduced river flows, created soil salinization.

Since soil and irrigation water are the fundamental stakes of our agriculture therefore, their fitness and sustainability is of prime importance which can only be assured under a regular activity of monitoring of the ground water levels, soil salinity, ground and surface water resources by continuously assessing / evaluating soil and water resources. Since agriculture is and likely to remain the only stay of our economy, therefore, its sustainability demands regular and continuous monitoring and evaluation of the soil and water resources.

4. (a) Scope of Work

With the closure of SCARP’s and transition of tubewells to the farmers, the scope of SMO activities was curtailed in 1997-98, however, research studies relating to (i) Hydrological Monitoring (DTW) (ii) Water Quality and (iii) Soil Salinity Monitoring were assigned to SMO. These research studies justify their continuation on permanent basis as endorsed by CDWP decision dated 21-01-2006 to help assess the gravity of the waterlogging and salinity in the country and suggest timely remedial measures for future investment in water sector.

5. Job Description

The salient features of the study are to evaluate the status of waterlogging (DTW) groundwater quality and soil salinity monitoring of canal command areas of Pakistan

6. Studies / Research Assignment Completed.

- Updating of Base Maps of Different Areas of Khyber Pakhtunkhawa and Punjab.

- Computerization of Individual Well data of December 2010.

- Water Quality monitoring of fresh groundwater for tubewells, lakes drains and ponds etc.

- Soil salinity mentoring of Pakpattan canal in Punjab and Khairpur Feeder East canal in Sindh.

6. Studies / Research Assignment in hand.

- Depth to watertable monitoring for post monsoon 2009 and pre-monsoon 2010.

- Water quality monitoring of fresh groundwater for tube wells, lacks, drains and ponds etc.

- Soil salinity monitoring of Rangpur and Thal canal in Punjab and B.S Feeder, Desert and Pat Feeder canals in Sindh.

- Preparation of Depth to Waterable Contour Maps of June 2009, December 2009, June 2010 and December 2010.

- Bi-monthly observation and maintenance of water level recorder.

- Installation of new and replacement of unserviceable piezometers.

7. Status of PC-II

a. Approval by CDWP             30.04.2008
b. Date of commencement     01.07.2008
c. Date of Completed            30.06.2013
d. Project Cost                     427.000 Million