OKARA: The city’s first wastewater treatment plant became operational on Thursday and the treated water would be used for irrigation of around 1,700 acres of agricultural land at its surrounding five villages.

The plant was inaugurated by MNA Chaudhry Riazul Haq Juj.

The project, proposed by the Okara Municipal Corporation, was approved under the Punjab Cities Programme (PCP) and was funded through the Punjab Municipal Development Funds Company (PMDFC).

The project became operational with a total cost of Rs901.268 million. The project also included the 6km-long sewerage line starting from the city’s south from the GT Road linking Dipalpur Chowk to the treatment plant in the city’s south-east in village 49/2L on the Okara-Dipalpur Road.

The plant has a daily treatment capacity of 7.1 million gallons with a retention capacity of 10 days. The plant includes six wells through which, after various stages, treated water is acquired for irrigation.

The plant has a current discharge rate of 18 cusecs with a maximum capacity of 50 cusecs.

Published in Dawn, October 26th, 2026