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 Report of Karachi Water Partnership (KWP)
“Water Solutions for Coastal Cities”
Friday, 27th April 2007
1. Workshop Summary
On the occasion of the formal launch of the Karachi Water Partnership in the last week of April, a one-day workshop was held entitled Water Solutions for Coastal Cities. It was attended by 70 international and Pakistani participants, who presented papers, displayed relevant technologies and methods and shared documentaries and materials.
The workshop commenced with an introduction to Hisaar Foundation and Karachi Water Partnership by Simi Kamal (Chair Hisaar Foundation and Chair KWP Management Group), and a summary of the launch event on the 26th of April. She highlighted the links of KWP with the Global Water Partnership (GWP) and the concept of Area Water Partnerships (AWPs) and engagement with government as a cornerstone of KWP’s strategy and approach.
The first session was entitled International Experiences and was chaired by Sardar Mohammad Tariq, Chairperson Pakistan Water Partnership (PWP). Three papers were presented in this session, followed by a question answer session.
The second session was entitled Current Trends in Water and Sewerage Programmes for Karachi. It was chaired by Brig Iftikhar Haidar, MD, Karachi Water and Sewerage Board and three papers were presented, followed by discussions.
The third session was entitled Water Quality and Water Costs, and was chaired by Mr A G Pirzada, ex-Chief Economist, Government of Sindh.
At the closing session, Ms Kamal presented a summary of the whole days presentations and discussions, highlighting the specific learning for KWP from each paper and subsequent discussions.
2. Learning for KWP
The title of each paper, its main thrust and the learning for KWP is presented below:
A Public-Private Partnership Approach for Providing Basic Services in Asian Coastal Cities, Dr Aslam Khan, ex UNESCAP
Emphasis on “5 Ps” (Pro Poor Public Private Partnership) as a common thread running through some successful initiatives relating to water in he Asia Pacific region.
Learning for KWP – Focus on the poor through public-private partnerships.
Singapore’s Experience in Integrated Water Resource Management,
Dr Wong Fook-Sin, VP-R&D, Institute of Environmental Science and Engineering, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore
Main points of note in the Singapore experience:
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Emphasis on Public-Private Partnership
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ABC – Active, Beautified and Clear
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30% of water requirement of buildings met through air conditioning cooling.
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Desalination seen an ‘augmentation” rather than main supply – meets 10% of needs
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The more water is used, the higher the tax
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Water efficient homes and buildings programmes
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School children education programme
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Per capita water consumption has gone to about a third
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Hardly any unaccounted for water (5%)
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Move to more centralized wastewater treatment
Learning for KWP – Conserve and value water, instituting formal and practical methods and processes.
Awami Tanks in Low Income Settlements in Karachi, Dr Noman Ahmed, Professor and Chairman, AKIH &Plan Department, NED University, Karachi
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Low cost solution
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Informal public-private partnership
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Suitable for fringes and tail-end areas
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Water manually carried home from tanks
Learning for KWP – Tanks are a temporary solution in urban areas and more suitable in times of water crises.
Water and Sewerage in Karachi Mega-City Project, Mr Marko Davila, Karachi Mega City Development Project
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Total billing on constant rates still does not meet costs – revenue is about a third of billing
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KWSP should be a sustainable public corporation on the lines of Sui Southern Gas Company
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Corporatization plan for KWSB
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ADB loan will have conditionalities to ensure governance and administrative reforms
Learning for KWP – Influence KWSB to move away from non-revenue water, improve billing, put in appropriate structures and infrastructures, make sure that citizen’s voice is heard in the board of KWSB and that KWSB does not squander expensive loan money (by insisting on citizen’s representation on decision making bodies).
Governance and Capacity Issues in Water and Sewerage, Mr Farhan Anwar, Coordinator, Water and Sanitation Program – WSP
In relation to governance and capacity issues, the following were highlighted
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Productivity and credibility
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Regulations, legitimacy and accountability
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Regulatory Framework
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Citizen’s Report Card (a method developed and tested successfully in India)
The project has a Provincial Committee headed by Minister Local Government and a Reform Committee headed by the Nazim. Governance changes are under consideration.
Learning for KWP - Lobby and call for governance reforms and contribute to regulatory framework.
Cost Effective Bioremediation of Polluted Rivers, Lagoons and Lakes for a Sustainable Water Supply Source, Mr Ir Goh Kwang Beng, Aqua Clean and BioAktiv Asia Representative and Technical Consultant
A bioremediation method was described and its results shown with the help of pictures and diagrams.
Learning for KWP - There are many low-cost methods available that can be used.
Current Water and Sewerage Programmes in Karachi, Mr Assudo Mal, Chief Engineer, Karachi Water and Sewerage Board
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Karachi is faced with galloping population, and unplanned growth.
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All technical solutions have concomitant problems
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In spite of huge problems and major revenue shortfalls (due to very low recovery) KW&SB is still delivering.
Learning for KWP - While KWSB continues on the basis of poor infrastructure and poor revenue collection, individual an corporate citizens are also responsible for water losses and wastages.
Water Pricing in Karachi, Mr Malik Shahid A Khan, Chief Operating Officer, Dhabian Soiltec
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Water is both a social and economic good
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KWSB rates uncharged since 1938 ( 0.07 paisa/gallon)
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Myth that people cannot afford to pay – they already pay 12 times more – or up to 2/3 of family income
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Desalinated water for industry
Learning for KWP - Work on value of water and help build regular and realistic tariffs that will allow a public utility to deliver and cut out illegal and expensive ways and means of delivering water
Water Quality Issues, Ms Taneem Ilyas, Divisional Manager, SGS Ltd, Karachi
Learning for KWP - Lobby for water standards and develop information base on pollution sources.
3. Demonstrations and Documentaries
The following systems were displayed and explained:
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NEWATER (recycled drinking water samples), Singapore
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Bioremedial material by AquaClean and BioAktiv, Singapore
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Pedal Gen by Bio Envoir, Singapore
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BioSand Filter by Hisaar Foundation, Karachi
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Documentary on Karachi’s water situation by Karachi Water Partnership
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Documentary on Singapore by Nanyang Technological University, Singapore
4. Papers and Presentations
The papers, presentations and other materials are available on request from Saleha.Atif@hisaar.org and can be viewed at:
View Event Photos
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