Kabul is at risk of becoming the first modern city in history to completely run out of water, according to a report from the NGO Mercy Corps.

The report highlights that water levels in the city’s aquifers have fallen significantly, by up to 30 meters in the past decade, primarily due to rapid urbanization and the effects of climate change.

Nearly half of Kabul’s boreholes, which serve as the main source of drinking water for the city’s residents, have gone dry, leading to an unsustainable water extraction rate that exceeds the natural recharge by 44 million cubic meters annually.

If current trends continue, all aquifers in Kabul could be depleted by as early as 2030, threatening the livelihoods and survival of the city's approximately seven million inhabitants.

Mercy Corps’ Afghanistan country director Dayne Curry emphasized the need for greater international attention to address this escalating crisis, warning that water scarcity could drive significant migration and exacerbate hardships for the population.

Compounding the issue, up to 80% of Kabul’s groundwater is classified as unsafe due to contamination with sewage, salinity, and arsenic.

Access to clean water is becoming increasingly difficult for residents, with some families reportedly spending up to 30% of their income on water, while more than two-thirds have incurred debt related to water acquisition.

Residents, such as Nazifa, a teacher from the Khair Khana neighborhood, described the daily struggles for adequate water.

The situation has worsened significantly, with private companies beginning to drill new wells and sell water back to residents at inflated prices.

Nazifa noted that water costs have doubled in recent weeks, making it increasingly unaffordable for many households.

Kabul’s rapid population growth—from fewer than one million residents in 2001 to approximately seven million today—has drastically increased water demand.

This surge has been met with a lack of effective governance and regulation, which have worsened the crisis over the decades.

The United Nations' office for the coordination of humanitarian affairs has reported minimal funding for water and sanitation efforts in Afghanistan, with only $8.4 million received against a required $264 million for planned projects.

Additionally, an estimated $3 billion in international water and sanitation funding has been frozen following the Taliban's return to power in August 2021, and there has been a significant reduction in USAID funding, further exacerbating the water crisis.

The urgency for sustainable solutions is underscored by experts such as Dr. Najibullah Sadid, a senior researcher in water resource management.

He highlighted the critical nature of ongoing projects, such as the Panjshir River pipeline, which if completed, could provide potable water to two million residents.

However, the project is currently navigating budget approval and seeking additional investment to cover its $170 million cost.

Residents in Kabul face an impossible dilemma—choosing between food and water.

Despite this, there is a prevailing willingness among locals to invest in the most effective solutions available, with an emphasis on immediate impact.

Addressing the water crisis in Kabul thus remains a pressing challenge, exacerbated by ongoing political dynamics and the overarching need for substantial investment in infrastructure.