Non-revenue water refers to water lost before reaching customers, including leaks and theft. In Karachi, non-revenue water accounts for 35% of supply. The city receives water from various sources, including the Keenjhar Lake and Hub Dam, but demand often exceeds supply. Reasons for water shortages include illegal pumping from canals by farmers and tankers, a lack of investment in infrastructure, and mismanagement. The Supreme Court criticized the water board for failing to address issues like unmetered hydrants controlled by influential figures that artificially create water shortages. Judges called for reforming the system to ensure all citizens receive their fair share of water.
2. S.No OBJECT
1. Introduction to non-revenue water
2. Quantum of Services K.W.S.B
3. Sources of Water Supply in Karachi
4. Reasons Behind Water Crises
5. Short-term Action
6. Remarks of Judge on Illegal hydrants
2
4. Non revenue water (NRW) is water that has been produced and is
“lost” before it reaches the customer. Losses can be real losses
(through leaks, sometimes also referred to as physical losses) or
apparent losses (for example through theft or metering inaccuracies)..
4
NON REVENUE WATER
7. High levels of NRW are detrimental to the financial viability of
water utilities, as well to the quality of water itself. NRW is typically
measured as the volume of water "lost" as a share of net water
produced. However, it is sometimes also expressed as the volume of
water “lost” per km of water distribution network per day
7
9. Total quantum of services to manage and look after.
Over 150 pumping stations
25 bulk reservoirs on installations
Over 10,000 km of pipe lines
Over 900 million gallons of fluid
Billing and recovery of 1.4 million establishment / consumers
Over 400,000 valves
Over 250,000 manholes
Over 3,600 sq. Kms of area & 18 million karachi
WATER SUPPLY :
POPULATION 18 MILLION
MAXIMUM DEMAND 972 MGD
MINIMUM DEMAND 720 MGD
9
10. AVAILABLE SUPPLY
Water Lose Reduction 35% (-) 234.50 MGD
Available Water Supply 435.50 MGD
10
Greater Karachi 280mgd
Gharo 028mgd
K-II 100mgd
Additional 040mgd
K-III 100mgd
Steel Mill 022mgd
PQA 008mgd
Hub Dam 090mgd
Dumlotee Wells 002mgd
Total 670mgd
11. WATER LOSSES (35%) Net Supply (after accounting for Leakage /
Pilferage / Non revenue water (NRW) 435 MGD
At Present a total 640 Approx MGD of water is being supplied to the city of
Karachi (except Steet Mills & PQA) out of which 440 MGD is being filtered.
GAP OF 212 MGD IN WATER SUPPLY AND FILTRATION CAPACITY
11
13. 1.KEENJHAR LAKE:
Keenjhar lake is an artificial lake which was built after two natural
lakes.
The main purpose of Keenjhar lake was to supply water to
domestic, commercial and industrial consumers in Karachi as well
as to irrigate 352,000 acres of land in Thatta.
Keenjhar Lake was designed to supply 583 million gallons per day
and Hub dam 100 million gallons per day.
13
15. 2. HUB DAM:
Hub water level has decreased significantly. Less
rainfall each year accounts for the rapid decrease and
scientist term the level of water which is at present as “dead
level.” Dam was constructed in 1982.
15
19. Some canals like Keenjhar Gujjo and others take water from Keenjhar
lake and supply it to rural areas.
Many fish farms and many farmers use water from the canal to irrigate
their fields.
Farmers have installed illegal diesel engines to suck out water from
canals to irrigate their fields.
Tankers pump out huge amounts of water leaving very less water in the
supply chain, thus compelling the residents to buy water from
them only.
19
21. All contracts agreements between Private Hydrant Operator and
KWSB must be revisited and all the mandatory requirements
fulfilled.
All agreements must be made public through print and electronic
media.
GPS, commercial and gratis rates must be advertised.
KESC meters to be installed at all KWSB 22 hydrants.
All tankers to carry the name of the hydrant they take water from
21
22. All rates must be notified publically, Private Hydrant Operator
should not be allowed to set and determine rate.
The 5-mile radius must be cut down to 2-miles within its territorial
jurisdiction.
GPS Tracker to be installed on all tankers as done by KESC on its
repair vehicles
All hydrants to be metered to measure water being drawn by the
private hydrant operators. They are only 22 of them, so cost should
not be considered.
22
24. KARACHI: A Supreme Court judge while hearing an illegal hydrant case on
Thursday observed that while he grew up drinking tap water, citizens have to
buy mineral water these days.
Managing Director Water Board Misbahuddin presented a report on hydrants
in the city to a three-member bench headed by Justice Ameer Hani.
The apex court asked for details of pending cases in courts related to water
hydrants.
Justice Khijli Arif Hussain remarked, “We grew up drinking tap water, now a
poor man needs to buy mineral water. Citizens are demanding clean water
and access to basic necessities.”
He inquired about a system of water supply which distributed water to the
city impartially. He also asked why water meters had not been set up which
measured units of water consumed.
Water Board Managing Director responded that only 20 meters had been set
up, while the other 121 could not be set up due to lack of funds.
The court observed that water shortage in the city only occurs due to
mismanagement.
24
25. The Water Board Managing Director said that the city received 550
million gallons of water everyday.
Justice Hani replied that 18 gallons of water are enough for each citizen
everyday. “If it is that difficult to run this system, outsource it,” he said.
The court inquired about the number of water tankers in the city. The Water
Board MD replied that 10000 worked in the city.
The court remarked that 13 tankers could not supply water to 1000 tankers.
The court further said that session judges will probe the report submitted by
the water board.
Illegal water hydrants are a menace citizens are forced to tolerate. Experts
claim that these illegal hydrants are responsible for creating an artificial water
shortage in the city, so that citizens have to buy water from tankers which
essentially should be available to them free of cost.
Influential people are involved in the tanker mafia. In 2013 a social activist
Parveen Rehman was gunned down in Orangi area allegedly by the tanker
mafia for speaking out against them, police and her family claims.
25