WASA sets 2030 roadmap for water management
Water and Sanitation Agency (WASA) Faisalabad Managing Director Saqib Raza has said that the agency is implementing development projects worth Rs113 billion to ensure sustainability in the water and sanitation sector, tackle climate change risks and achieve the United Nations-mandated Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by 2030.
Talking to selected representatives of mainstream media during an interaction at his office, the recently posted MD said WASA Faisalabad was currently executing two major foreign-funded projects, reflecting international confidence in the agency's capacity. One of these is an Agency Française de Développement (AFD) project worth approximately Rs33 billion, focused on providing clean drinking water to the city.
The second is a Denmark International Development Agency (DANIDA) project related to the establishment of a wastewater treatment plant, valued at Rs56 billion. He said these projects were scheduled for completion in 2027 and 2028, respectively.
Saqib Raza said timely completion of foreign-funded projects remained WASA's top priority, adding that the agency was actively engaging with international donors to secure additional funding.
He revealed that discussions were underway with the Asian Development Bank (ADB) and the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) for future projects in the water and sanitation sector.
On the domestic front, he said the Punjab government had allocated Rs23 billion under the Annual Development Programme (ADP) through local government funds for the improvement of Faisalabad's sewerage system over the next 25 years.
He added that with the completion of ongoing water supply schemes, the existing shortfall in water supply would be significantly reduced, and the city's demand up to 2030 was expected to be met.
The WASA chief said that by 2030, the agency would be in a position to treat at least 40% of the city's wastewater.
He stressed that all ongoing and planned projects were aligned with the city's master plan, SDGs, and climate change benchmarks.
Highlighting efforts to improve revenue generation, Saqib Raza said WASA was currently generating around Rs3.9 billion annually, translating to approximately Rs390 million per month.