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Express Tribune
25-05-2025
- Business
- Express Tribune
Pindi's water demand outpaces supply
Six out of nine water filtration plants are in disrepair in Karachi city, where only 150 cylinders of chlorine are available each month. PHOTO: PIXABAY With an expansion in population, groundwater depletion and migration of people to the garrison city, Rawalpindi faces water availability challenges and urgently requires a multi-faceted approach. These approaches include expanding water storage capacity through dams and reservoirs, improving water distribution networks, promoting water conservation measures, and addressing issues like tanker mafia and infrastructure maintenance. Recognising these challenges, the city's civic agencies have been taking measures for the construction of new dams like Chahan and Daducha dams, and side by side steps for maintaining the storage capacity of existing Rawal and Khanpur dams. Managing Director (MD) of Water and Sanitation Agency (WASA) Muhammad Saleem Ashraf says the Garrison City needs a total water supply of around 51 Million Gallons Daily (MGD) in winter, 30.5 MGD of which is through 480 tube-wells, 10 MGD from the Rawal Dam and 6 MGD from the Khanpur Dam. The city has to face a shortfall of around 7 MGD in winter, which rises to around 19 MGD during summer, with the daily water demand reaching over 70 MGD, he added. Both the cantonments (Rawalpindi and Chaklala) also receive some 12 MGD water from the Rawal Dam, the WASA MD said. For overcoming the water shortage, Saleem says work is already underway on the Developing Resilient Environment and Advancing Municipal Services (DREAMS-I) project, funded by the Asian Development Bank (ADB). The project's overall scope involved the treatment and transportation of 14.5 MGD water from Chahan Dam to Rawalpindi city, besides the improvement and replacement of the city's existing water supply system, he added. Moreover, he said, the rehabilitation and upgradation of Rawal Lake filtration plants were also in process to supply an additional 5 MGD of water to the Garrison City. Similarly, he said, two new heavy pumps are being installed at the Khanpur Dam to increase water supply to 8 MGD. The project to provide a 24/7 water supply to three union councils of Khayaban-e-Sir Syed was also underway." This project (DREAMS) of public importance will be completed in two years instead of the stipulated period of three years," he added. The MD further said that work on the Chahan Dam treatment plant had been kicked off, which was expected to provide 10 MGD of water to Rawalpindi city. He said the feasibility of setting up the Daducha Dam had been included in the Punjab Annual Development Plan, which would hopefully provide 30.5 MGD water to meet the future needs of the city. As regards water losses, he said that water leakage and theft from the distribution network were major sources of water loss and needed to be addressed. He said the Punjab Government had banned the establishment of new car washing stations across the province. In compliance with the orders of the Lahore High Court (LHC), the Punjab Environmental Agency (EPA) had imposed a ban on non-essential use of underground water and violators, including car wash/service stations, would have to face heavy fines, he warned. Chief Executive Officer of the Rawalpindi Cantonment Board (RCB) Syed Ali Rizvi says the RCB provides some 1.50 MGD water to its residents from 55 tube wells, 11.28 MGD from the Khanpur Dam and 0.03 MGD from the Rawal Dam. The RCB's distribution network includes eight overhead reservoirs and 34 underground tanks, he says and adds the Board provides clean drinking water to the people through 52 filtration plants. MNA Malik Ibrar Ahmed says the construction of modern underground tanks having a capacity to store 1 MGD water has entered the final stage. The project aims to provide a lasting solution to the longstanding water shortage in local communities of RCB areas, ensuring improved supply and overcoming the seasonal scarcity, especially during the summer months. He says every year, with the onset of summer, the residents of Rawalpindi and Chaklala cantonments face severe water shortages due to the lack of storage facilities, but allocated funds are now being prioritised for the timely completion of the vital projects. The construction of underground tanks at Bhata Chowk, with a storage capacity of 200,000 gallons per day, and Gawalmandi, with a capacity of 100,000 gallons per day, are rapidly progressing, the MNA adds. Additionally, he adds, projects are underway at Naseerabad, Barf Khana Chowk, Ghazi Abad, Afshan Colony, Tench Bhatta, Tahli Mohri, and Wards 7, 8, 9 and 10 of the Chaklala Cantonment, each designed to store 50,000 gallons daily.
Express Tribune
18-05-2025
- Health
- Express Tribune
Water filtration plants to be transferred to PSPC
The Punjab government has decided to transfer all existing water filtration plants in the Rawalpindi division to the Punjab Saaf Pani Company to ensure the provision of clean drinking water according to health standards. New filtration plants will also be installed in areas currently without such facilities. Consultation between the Rawalpindi administration and the Water and Sanitation Agency (WASA) has been finalised. WASA will present a comprehensive report on existing and proposed filtration plants to the commissioner. At present, WASA Rawalpindi manages 127 water filtration plants within the city. In a recent meeting chaired by Commissioner Aamir Khattak and WASA MD Muhammad Saleem Ashraf, the focus was on ensuring all filtration units remain in working condition. According to sources, water filtration systems in five cities across Punjab, including Rawalpindi, will be fully transferred to the Punjab Saaf Pani Company. The company will also expand the number of plants and enforce strict Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), including routine inspections, timely filter replacements, and machinery maintenance through an internal monitoring system.
Express Tribune
18-05-2025
- Business
- Express Tribune
Rawalpindi faces acute water crisis
As the summer begins and heatwave persists, residents of Rawalpindi city and cantonment areas are worried about bearing another spell of water scarcity as the mushroom growth of housing societies and rising population continue to exert extra pressure on this precious resource. Despite repeated claims of the civic agencies' masters to ensure a smooth water supply, water shortage and water rationing continue to leave consumers at the mercy of the growing tanker mafia. Name any area of the city, including Shah Nazar, Dhok Chiragh Din, Dhok Hassu, Ratta Amral, Dhok Ratta, Pir Wadhai, and one finds residents complaining of water scarcity or water rationing, with the supply and demand gap widening during summer. No matter that civic agencies remain on their toes during the peak season to meet the water needs of residents, they also face unavoidable challenges like water availability, construction of new reservoirs and ample funding. The Managing Director (MD) of the Water and Sanitation Agency (WASA), Muhammad Saleem Ashraf, says the Garrison city needs a total water supply of around 51 Million Gallons Daily (MGD) in winter, which is met through 480 tube-wells, Rawal Dam and Khanpur Dam. But, during summer, this demand rises to 70 MGD, so if the shortfall is around 7 MGD in winter, it rises to around 19 MGD in summer, he adds. Saleem further says it is understood that water demand increases during summer, and all resources are employed to ensure that consumers' problems are addressed. In this regard, he mentioned ongoing work on a project "Developing Resilient Environment and Advancing Municipal Services (DREAMS-I)" project, funded by the Asian Development Bank (ADB). "The project's overall scope involves treatment and transportation of 14.5 MGD water from Chahan Dam to Rawalpindi city, besides improvement and replacement of the city's existing water supply system," he said. Saleem also referred to the rehabilitation and up-gradation of Rawal Lake filtration plants to supply an additional five MGD of water to the Garrison City. "Similarly, two new heavy pumps are being installed at Khanpur Dam to increase water supply to eight MGD and provide a 24/7 water supply to consumers." He said the DREAMS project will be completed in two years instead of the stipulated period of three years, while work on Chahan Dam treatment plant has also been kicked off and is expected to provide 10 MGD of water to residents. "Moreover, the feasibility study for Dadhocha Dam has been included in the Punjab Annual Development Plan and will hopefully provide 30.5 MGD to Pindi residents." However, he was sceptical of consumers' behaviour who least bother about water conservation practices. Therefore, the Punjab government had banned the setting up of new car washing stations across the province. In compliance with the orders of the LHC, the Punjab EPA had imposed a ban on non-essential use of underground water and violators would be penalised accordingly.
Express Tribune
27-04-2025
- Business
- Express Tribune
Rawalpindi ramps up monsoon prep
Punjab's Parliamentary Secretary Housing, Urban Development and Public Health Engineering Department Sultan Bajwa on Sunday visited the Water and Sanitation Agency Rawalpindi to review preparations for the monsoon season. During a meeting with WASA Rawalpindi Managing Director, Muhammad Saleem Ashraf, Bajwa directed that preparations for the monsoon season should be completed on an emergency basis. He said that obstacles to the flow of water in drains and all drains should be removed so that any kind of flood situation could be dealt with during the rains. All institutions would have to work together in that regard. He urged the relevant institutions to take steps to prevent encroachments on drains and dumping of building materials. Earlier, the WASA MD, in his briefing on the monsoon preparations, informed the parliamentary secretary that the Agency had completed 80% of the cleaning of sewer lines like every year, while the remaining work would be completed before May 15. The machinery used for drainage from low-lying areas during the rains had also been repaired, while all jetting, suction and dewatering machines were in working condition, he added. Ashraf further said funds had been sought from the Punjab government for the cleaning of the Nullah Leh and 15 major drains of the city. He said that WASA was trying to provide basic facilities like clean drinking water and sewage to the citizens of Rawalpindi, adding that several steps were being taken to further strengthen the active role of WASA. Professional engineers had been hired through the Punjab Public Source, who were playing their role for the betterment of the institution, he added. The WASA MD further said that they had tightened the noose around defaulters and for the first time in Agency's history, more than Rs2 billion had been recovered. As regards the water situation, the MD said that the water requirements had increased with the onset of summer. Currently, WASA was supplying 51 million gallons of water against the demand of 70 million gallons per day from three sources, including Rawal Dam, Khanpur Dam and tube-wells, he added. He said to meet the shortage, WASA was working on mega projects, including DREAMS under which 12 million gallons of water would be obtained from Chahan Dam, an additional five million gallons from Rawal Dam, and eight million gallons from Khanpur Dam. The completion of the projects would help in removing the water shortage. Moreover, he said, work was being started on the feasibility project of Daduchha Dam, while its construction work was also in full swing. The dam would be able to provide 35 million gallons of water per day.
Express Tribune
26-04-2025
- Express Tribune
Rawalpindi fights water waste
In response to a worsening water crisis, the Water and Sanitation Agency (WASA) Rawalpindi has launched a city-wide crackdown on domestic and commercial users wasting water. The agency has begun issuing heavy fines — Rs10,000 for households and Rs20,000 for commercial consumers — for activities such as washing courtyards, streets and vehicles using hosepipes. Additionally, WASA has initiated a major operation against water thieves and bill defaulters, cutting off connections of 46 such violators across the city. With rising summer temperatures, the district is now facing acute water shortages, forcing residents, including women and children, to fetch water from distant areas. WASA Managing Director Muhammad Saleem Ashraf stated that the agency is currently supplying 51 million gallons of water per day, while the demand has surged to 70 million gallons. To bridge this gap, WASA has increased the operating hours of tube wells, is addressing system leakages, and ensuring equitable water distribution across all areas, he added. Tube well operations are also being aligned with scheduled electricity supplies in load-shedding-affected areas. In accordance with court orders, fines for water wastage are being strictly enforced. WASA has also launched awareness campaigns, encouraging citizens to conserve water and store it in home tanks. Notices are being issued to bill defaulters by the WASA magistrate, and recovery efforts have begun.
