KARACHI: Major parts of the city will face a water shortage for three days starting Monday (today), as the Karachi Water and Sewerage Corporation (KW&SC) install new “butterfly valves” on its two 66-inch diameter pipelines to enhance the city’s water control system.

A spokesperson for the water utility said that areas such as Chanesar Town and Jinnah Town would experience partial water supply disruption, while other areas, including Keamari, Clifton, Saddar, Gulshan Town, Liaquatabad, and Nazimabad, would also face a reduced water supply.

He said KWSC Chief Executive Officer Syed Salahuddin Ahmed had instructed the concerned officials to complete the valve installation within three days.

During the three-day installation process, repair work on the main water lines near Old Sabzi Mandi on University Road will also take place.

According to the spokesperson, two major water lines near University Road were affected by construction work on the Red Line Project. The new butterfly valves will be installed on 66-inch pipelines at Al-Hilal Society and near the Chase-Up Market on Kashmir Road to strengthen water distribution.

The spokesperson added that the new valve control system would improve water management across the city and address leakage issues on University Road and in the Saddar area. Previously, leak repairs required a shutdown at the Dhabeji pumping station, which cut off water supply to the entire city. “With the new system, citywide shutdowns will no longer be necessary,” he said.

The spokesperson noted that a total of 650 MGD of water is supplied to the city daily from Dhabeji, Hub, and Gharo pumping stations.

He explained that the city would face a daily water shortage of 200 MGD for three days due to the repair work, and he urged consumers to store water and use it cautiously to avoid inconvenience.

Published in Dawn, October 21th, 2024