Dripping away: KWSB warns residents of water shortage

Illegal hydrants continue in the city despite the problem.

KARACHI: The Karachi Water and Sewerage board (KWSB) has warned the citizens of the metropolis of an expected water crisis in the upcoming days due to drop in water level at the Hub Dam catchment area. 

The water level in the dam has dropped to 282 reservoir level (RL) and its water supply will come to a grinding halt when the reservoir touches the dead-storage level of 276RL. “Citizens might face a shortage of up to 100 million gallons per day (MGD)” confirmed the KWSB spokesperson.

Sources inside KWSB claim that if the water continues to be released at the current rate, its supply would end in the next six to eight months. However, the sources expect Hub Dam and its catchment area to receive rain in the upcoming monsoon season, which normally begins on June 15 and continues for a couple of months.



Illegal hydrant problem

Despite the drastic water situation, at least 66 illegal hydrants remain functional in the city. Qutubuddin Shiekh who recently rejoined KWSB as its managing director informed The Express Tribune that hydrants and other illegal water connections steal between 15 and 20MGD of water.

“The city needs 640MGD and we are trying our best to provide the required amount to its citizens” he added. However, KWSB sources claimed that the total water being provided to citizens is a mere 360MGD.

Published in The Express Tribune, February 14^th, 2014.