ISLAMABAD, Oct 7: A “national water policy” has been finalized and will be implemented shortly after the approval of the federal cabinet, official sources told Dawn here on Tuesday adding that poor management of existing water networks will be greatly improved and made efficient by introducing private operators and measures to provide an adequate revenue stream.

Lack of private sector participation, deteriorating institutional capacities of key water sector institutions, inadequate operation and maintenance funding and poor cost recovery have been identified as among the main issues facing the water sector. No urban water supply and sanitation projects have so far been proposed for private participation other than the public-private desalination project proposed to be located at Karachi.

The water supply at the provincial levels are controlled and managed by the local water supply and sewerage boards. With the support of the Asian Development Bank, the government in 2002 developed a national water sector strategy and an accompanying medium term investment plan with the main objective of preparing a roadmap for future development of the water sector toward more efficient service delivery.

The national water policy also proposes the participation of the private sector in solid waste management. Existing capacity to safely dispose of solid waste is only 25 per cent of total wastes generated by municipal and industries. The main issues are inadequate and inappropriate collection and disposal of solid wastes and empowering local government institutions for proper monitoring, collection and disposal of municipal and industrial solid wastes.

Sources said the ADB has expressed willingness to provide assistance for exploring the potential of private sector to meet infrastructure needs at provincial and local bodies level and to facilitate project development.