• In first phase, water supplied to industries, housing societies and other big consumers will be monitored
• Utility also plans to install water meters for domestic consumers
• Mayor Wahab says initiative will lay groundwork for transparent and fair billing practices

KARACHI: The Karachi Water and Sewerage Corporation (KWSC) has launched an advanced citywide bulk flow metering system that will enable real-time monitoring of water distribution through an integrated digital network, ensuring accurate measurement and oversight of supply across the city.

“This development in the city’s water supply is the most critical civic challenge. The absence of a reliable measurement system in the past had significantly affected both distribution efficiency and revenue recovery. This transformative initiative will enhance operational performance while laying the groundwork for transparent and fair billing practices,” said Karachi Mayor Murtaza Wahab, who is also the chairman of the KWSC.

According to a press release, the initiative aims to introduce a modern metering framework to address long-standing challenges such as uneven distribution, unaccounted-for water losses and unreliable billing mechanisms.

As a first step, it said, a pilot measurement system is being installed to monitor water supplied in bulk to industries, housing societies and other major consumers.

The project will be expanded in phases, with future plans to extend metering to commercial, industrial and eventually domestic consumers — ensuring comprehensive monitoring of water usage at all levels. Once fully implemented, the system will create a complete digital record of water supply to households, businesses, and industries, fostering accountability and sustainability in Karachi’s water sector.

“As part of the pilot phase, approximately 100 monitoring chambers have been established across key locations to regulate and assess water flow,” said the statement.

“Advanced ultrasonic flow meters, being introduced in Pakistan for the first time and utilising cutting-edge sound wave technology for precise measurement, have been procured and will be installed in pipelines across major installations,” it added.

The installations to have the system include Ajmer Pump House, Nagan Chowrangi, University Reservoirs, Banaras Pump House, Korangi Model Park, Hub Reservoir, North East Karachi (NEK) Reservoir, Chungi Naka and Gharo Pumping Station.

During the pilot phase, the statement said, bulk flow meters are being installed at 43 strategic locations to monitor area-wise water distribution.

The system will generate real-time data, enabling authorities to detect shortages, minimise wastage, and ensure a more equitable supply for residential, commercial, and industrial consumers.

With substantial investment underway to upgrade water supply and sewerage infrastructure, this initiative represents a decisive step toward building a resilient, modern, and sustainable urban water management system for Karachi, said the statement.

The project is backed by the Sindh government and supported by the World Bank under the Karachi Water and Sewerage Services Improvement Project (KWSSIP).

Move to increase water quota from Hub Dam

The local government secretary has moved a summary to the Sindh chief minister to raise the issue of an increase in water quota for Karachi from Hub Dam with the federal government.

KWSC Chief Executive Ahmed Ali Siddiqui had recently sent a letter to the government, requesting an increase in the water quota from Hub Dam due to Karachi’s growing population and severe water shortage.

He proposed increasing the current 100 million gallons per day to 200 MGD. It may be noted that Karachi’s water supply quota from Hub Dam has remained at 100 MGD since 1981, whereas during this period the city’s population and water demand have increased several-fold.

Published in Dawn, April 21st, 2026