<p>Groundwater is vital for domestic and agricultural purposes, particularly in rapidly urbanizing regions worldwide. Cities like Mansehra in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan, illustrate the growing pressures on groundwater resources due to urban expansion and increased agricultural demands. This study aims to assess the vulnerability of aquifers to contamination in Mansehra, providing valuable insights for managing groundwater resources in similar urbanizing areas facing comparable environmental challenges globally. To achieve this, 24 Vertical Electrical Sounding measurements and 20 groundwater samples were analyzed. Groundwater samples were collected using a systematic sampling approach, and their analysis followed the guidelines set by the World Health Organization and the American Public Health Association. Subsurface geoelectric data, gathered using a Terrameter SAS 4000, revealed various stratigraphic layers, including clay, sand, silty clay, gravel, boulder clay, and granite. These findings suggest that the protective aquifer layer is weak-poorly developed in the northern and central parts of the study area, thus increasing the risk of contamination. Groundwater quality analyses show that, while most parameters are within acceptable limits, several samples exceed acceptable thresholds for hardness and turbidity. Notably, the Piper diagram analysis indicates that sodium and potassium types are the dominant water facies, which points to evolving hydrochemical conditions within the aquifers. The results of this study suggest a deterioration in groundwater quality in the region, which, if left unmanaged, could make it unsuitable for future use. This research provides a valuable framework for managing groundwater resources in Pakistan and contributes to the broader understanding of how urbanization and environmental pressures affect aquifer systems. It offers insights into sustainable groundwater management that can be applied to similar geological and hydrological contexts worldwide.</p>