KARACHI: Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah on Tuesday reviewed the city’s pressing water challenges, focusing on issues arising from ageing infrastructure.

The meeting also attended by Mayor Murtaza Wahab and senior officials of the Karachi Water & Sewerage Corporation discussed the issues of low water pressure, frequent bursts, leakages, and rampant illegal tapping of water supplies.

The officials pointed out that the absence of real-time monitoring of flow and pressure at critical junctions hampers effective management. Delays in enforcement, irregular audits, and lack of accountability further compound the problem.

Unbilled or under-billed connections persist due to insufficient digitisation and lack of Geographic Information System (GIS) mapping. In some areas, poor documentation and lack of metering leave systems vulnerable to theft.

The meeting was informed that criminal syndicates illegally tap into main supply lines, fill tankers without authorisation, and sell water at inflated rates. Entire networks of pipes, valves, and pumps operate with impunity, resulting in massive financial losses for the corporation.

In response, the water board has launched several initiatives, including a crackdown on illegal connections and hydrants, disconnections for chronic defaulters, and the establishment of a police station dedicated to water-related offences at COD.

The meeting decided to expedite the establishment of a KWSC tribunal. Legal reforms are already under way, with improvements made in community reporting and internal systems.

Initiatives such as water metering, monitoring, and master planning are also being introduced. These include the implementation of a Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) system, tax surveys, and enhanced GIS and asset management.

Looking ahead, the meeting resolved to amend legal and regulatory frameworks to impose stricter penalties on water theft and improve recovery of dues.

Published in Dawn, August 20th, 2025