KARACHI: Karachi’s water woes are massive and the situation will not turn around overnight. But the first ray of light may emerge soon. That is, if the planned installation of digital meters on inlet and outlet pipes of 155 pumping stations maintained by the Karachi Water and Sewerage Board (KWSB) is implemented. On the directives of the Water Commission, a survey of these pumping stations will soon begin. Asadullah Khan, the deputy managing director of KWSB, talking to Daily Times said that the survey will be completed in 30 working days. Afterwards, the project report will be submitted to the Sindh government for provision of necessary funds to accomplish the task. With the installation of digital meters, the KWSB will be able to monitor the exact volume of fresh water coming into and leaving its pipeline. This will enhance the civic entity’s capability to track down and stop wastage of water and to ensure that all water entering its pipes gets supplied to the residents. Water pilferage by gangs operating across the city has been a common occurrence. These gangs break KWSB’s main supply line and divert water to illegally operated hydrants from where it is supplied to residents through tankers at premium rates. Shakil Qureshi, the superintending engineer of the Metered Consumer Cell, has written a letter to chief engineers, superintending engineers, executive engineer and other water officials in the city directing them to comply with the directive of the Water Commission in connection with installation of digital meters. The KWSB managing director has already asked all officials concerned to provide layout designs of all pumping stations, showing inlet and outlet pipes, with location of discharge, names of focal persons with whom meter division would liaise to formulate a plan and any other information relating to installation of water meters. Owais Malik, the superintending engineer of the West Zone, has informed the board that under his domain, there are 31 pumping stations, out of which, eight have been selected for installation of digital meters. Digital water meters are meant for conduits and large diameter pipelines ranging from 72, 66, 54, 48, 36, 33, 24, 18 to 12 inches. The survey of pumping stations has already begun at SITE, Orangi Town, Baldia Town, North Nazimabd Town, North Karachi Town, Gulberg Town, Shah Faisal Town, Korangi Town, Gulshan-e-Iqbal Town, Gadap Town, Malir Town, Landhi Town, Jamsheed Town, Saddar Town, Lyari Town, Liaquatabad Town, Kemari Town and pumping station inter-connection chambers at Dumlottee pumping station. Published in Daily Times, March 9th 2018.