Sindh Government has greenlit a new legislation under the Karachi Water Sewerage Corporation (KW&SC). The move aims to tighten control over the city’s water resources and prevent illicit activities. A gazette notification has been issued to formalize the implementation of the new law. According to its provisions, licenses for extracting underground water in industrial zones will be granted for a duration of two years, subject to compliance with all regulations. Notably, all existing licenses have been nullified, and meters will be installed on all boreholes to monitor usage. Under the updated regulations, each license will permit the operation of four boreholes. Any additional boreholes will necessitate a separate license. Industrial entities will be required to obtain a license from the water corporation to utilize underground water.
The water has been categorized into five distinct types, including industrial, commercial, healthcare, educational institutes, and residential complexes. To oversee the issuance of underground water licenses, a five-member committee has been established by the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of KW&SC, Engineer Syed Salahuddin Ahmed. Led by Owais Malik, the committee comprises members Muhammad DilawarJafri, Muhammad Khalid Farooqui, MirzaObaid-Ur-Rehman, and Syed Hasnain Abbas. Interested applicants must submit their license applications through the chairman or president of their respective industrial estate to the CEO of KWSC, following which the committee will review and decide on approval or rejection. Stringent penalties await violators of the new law.
License revocation is imminent for those with a history of water theft or illegal sales under the Subsoil Water Regulation Act 2018. Furthermore, boreholes or tube wells are prohibited within 330 feet of the water corporation’s conduits, bulk lines, reservoirs, or pumping stations, with a maximum diameter limit of 24 inches.
Legal action, including immediate license cancellation, awaits offenders. Additionally, a fine of Rs 5 million can be imposed by the water corporation in cases of proven water theft or illegal sales. CEO KW&SC Engineer Syed Salahuddin Ahmed emphasized that the primary objective of the new law is to bring perpetrators of water theft from the water corporation lines under legal scrutiny and ensure public revenue. He underscored the significance of fair water distribution and warned against negligence, emphasizing the commitment of the new administration to combat water-related malpractices.
