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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
19-05-2025
- Business
- Express Tribune
Japan to help install smart water meters
The government of Japan has approved a grant of $3.5 million under its Economic and Social Development Programme for the installation of smart water meters and related equipment for the Water and Sanitation Agency (WASA). The agreement was signed in Islamabad between the Embassy of Japan and Pakistan's Economic Affairs Division. WASA Managing Director Amir Aziz shared these developments while speaking with media representatives. He said the project was part of broader efforts to support WASA's shift from a flat-rate to a metered billing system. The new system will include the installation of 8,400 smart water meters and aims to enhance the accuracy of billing, improve revenue collection, and increase efficiency in water distribution. Aziz also noted that the Japanese development agency JICA (Japan International Cooperation Agency) has completed a project titled "Construction of Distribution Center and Rehabilitation of the Old Jhal Khanuana Water Treatment Plant" at a cost of Rs7,250 million. Discussing other foreign-funded projects, the MD said WASA Faisalabad has revived three long-pending international initiatives. These include the French-funded "Extension of Water Resources for Faisalabad City – Phase II" project, valued at Rs14,636.928 million. According to Aziz, work on this project commenced with the signing of the contract on August 8, 2024, followed by site mobilization on October 8, 2024. The tender for transmission was opened on April 7, 2025, and technical evaluation is currently underway. Once completed, it is expected to serve around six million residents. Aziz also mentioned the Denmark-funded Eastern Wastewater Treatment Plant (Phase I) project, worth Rs56,036.79 million, which aims to build a 33 million gallons per day (MGD) treatment facility in Faisalabad. The government of Punjab granted administrative approval on April 16, 2025, and loan agreement formalities with Denmark are in progress. The project aligns with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) 2030 targets. Regarding another JICA-assisted initiative, "Improvement of Management Capacity of Water Supply Sector in Faisalabad," Aziz stated that the project includes the digital monitoring of three overhead reservoirs and one disposal station. Remote operations have begun and assessments of tube-well equipment have been completed. The project is estimated to serve two million people. He further said the government of Punjab has also approved a new sewerage development package for Faisalabad city worth Rs10,810 million. Chaudhary Rasheed Ahmad, retired chief engineer of the Public Health Department and a water expert, has emphasized the urgent need to implement smart water metering systems in light of the growing depletion of water resources, shortage of potable water, and widespread wastage of drinking water by the public. He stated that smart metering could help prevent unnecessary use of water and contribute to its conservation. He pointed out that in many households, potable piped water is used extensively for non-essential purposes such as washing utensils and vehicles, resulting in significant pressure on groundwater reserves. Rasheed added that WASA Faisalabad currently has over 500,000 registered water consumers, and the installation of only 8,400 smart meters is insufficient to address the scale of the challenge. Member of the Provincial Assembly, Chaudhary Faqir Hussain Dogar, also underlined the issue, noting that the suspension of the Indus Waters Treaty by the Indian government has impacted Pakistan's water availability, exacerbating shortages in water bodies and canal systems.
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
13-05-2025
- Business
- Express Tribune
Less than half of city uplift work completed
Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif inspected under-construction road, street and drainage projects in progress under the Lahore Development Plan during a surprise visit to several areas of the city. The chief minister directed the officials concerned to ensure the quality of the construction work at all cost and ensure timely completion of the development plan. She also visited a vegetable shop and checked the prices. She visited a market in the Chauburji area and enquired about the citizens' well-being, cleanliness arrangements and projects on the occasion. According to an official statement, citizens said their street had been built within 15 days after a wait of 40 years. However, sources in the relevant departments said the completion in time of the whole of the Lahore Development Programme launched with an estimated cost of Rs137 billion was likely to be a challenge for the departments concerned. They said the Water and Sanitation Agency (WASA) had so far completed 45 per cent of the development work assigned to it under the programe. The metropolitan corporation has completed 32% of the work. Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz had approved an allocation of Rs137 billion for various schemes for WASA and the Metropolitan Corporation Lahore. In the first phase of the plan, 252 WASA schemes were approved for the Gulberg, Ravi, Data Ganj Bakhsh, Samnabad, Iqbal Town and Nishtar zones with an estimated cost of Rs41.35 billion. An amount of Rs29.35 billion was initially released for the projects, of which Rs12.8 billion has been spent so far. During the past five months, 45% of the projects have been completed while the work on the rest is under way. The highest ratio of incomplete projects is in Samnabad. The work in the Ravi zone will be carried out in the second phase. WASA Managing Director Ghufran Ahmed told The Express Tribune that work on the development programme is progressing rapidly and the chief minister has released funds to solve the problems of Lahore on a permanent basis. He said WASA would complete its work in all the zones by July 30. On the other hand, the metropolitan corporation has to implement 3,820 schemes across the city at a cost of Rs19 billion, but work has been started on 2,676 of them so far. Out of the schemes, 960 have been completed, depicting a rate of 32%. The sources said Deputy Commissioner Syed Musa Raza had expressed dissatisfaction during a recent meeting over the slow pace of work in some areas after being briefed about the ongoing development schemes. The officials said that most of the schemes could only be completed after the work on sewerage and water supply lines would be completed by WASA. The DC said instructions had been issued to the Metropolitan Corporation Lahore to complete the Lahore Development Programme Phase I by June 30 so that the schemes could be concluded within the stipulated time frame. Instructions were also issued to WASA to complete the work within the time frame. Deputy Commissioner Musa Raza the second phase of the development programme would be launched as soon as possible after the completion of Phase I.
