THE Karachi Water and Sewerage Board (KWSB) seems to be confusing the government and people on the figures for Karachi’s water demand.

The KWSB deputy managing director, in his submission before the judicial commission, has said the total demand for city of 22 million people is estimated at 1,188m gallon a day MGD against which 650MGD is available for supply. The water demand for 54 gallons per person per day (gpcd), when converted in liters, works out to be 246 liters per person per day. This figure is considered lavish for Karachi.

Back in the 1970s, when water quantity was not quite a problem, in many major cities, water was supplied at the rate of more than 1,000 lpcd.

Per capita water supply generally increases with affluence, but due to current water shortages, some cities started reducing their per capita water production. This was further supported by the adoption of improved water conservation measures in homes, reduction in water losses and leakages, the availability of water-efficient plumbing fixtures, and enhanced awareness among consumers. Per capita water consumption in New York City declined from 806 lpcd in 1980 to 481 lpcd in 2010, a reduction of more than 40pc.

In Mumbai, water supply was fixed at 135 lpcd some 10 years back. Many water experts protested at this lavish figure.

In water-stressed countries, water is supplied at the rate not exceeding 100 lpcd. This makes sense due to water scarcity the world over. Stretching the Karachi water supply figure to 120 lpcd (though, a lavish figure), even then, the water requirement works out to be 530 mgd — much less than the currently supplied figure of 650 mgd.

Since it is difficult to change the mindset, the chief minister may consider giving Karachi water supply and treatment portfolio to a Chinese municipal agency, like the solid waste management portfolio.

F. H. Mughal

Karachi

Published in Dawn, March 19th, 2017