It is my pleasure to provide the leadership and guidance required for this flagship project-KWSSIP envisioned by the Government of Sindh. We, at Government of Sindh, are fully committed to resolve the water and waste water problems faced by the residents of Karachi. Government is cognizant of the fact that clean and safe water as well as adequate sanitation are public necessities, and in pursuance of such goal KWSSIP shall significantly address these needs.

KWSSIP focuses on three major areas, firstly, to enhance water availability, Secondly, to ensure the provision of water safe for human consumption and provide sewerage services in Karachi; and thirdly, to enhance KWSB’s operational and financial performance.

Making it a viable entity as comparable to any other utility company of the world, the project involves both capacity building and reform measures to create an environment that will contribute towards improving the performance. This project shall rehabilitate old sewerage and water supply system which in turn shall improve the living conditions of all formal and informal settlement in Karachi. Briefly, KWSSIP has a great potential to improve water and sewerage infrastructure with positive socio-economic impacts for the residents of the Karachi.

The work on the Project has been started at a good pace through a dedicated project team despite Covid-19 constraints. I am confident that KWSSIP would certainly address the water and sewerage challenges faced by the residents of Karachi and will improve the livability to a great extent.

I look forward to supporting its team in their endeavours for a better tomorrow and request the valuable residents to cooperate with project teams during execution.

Govt of Sindh is determined to help find the best solutions towards sustainable development and growth in water supply and sanitation services. KWSSIP has been a flagship project to undertake such activities exclusively for the people of Karachi. I feel privileged to support KWSSIP team for planning and execution of the project under the given challenging environment.

Karachi Water and Sewerage Board (KW&SB) is the only water utility responsible for providing water supply and sewerage services, which is facing a challenging environment – sub-optimal performing utility, rapid and ever-increasing population in metropolis. To overcome such obstacles, World Bank has partnered with Sindh Government in their endeavours in transforming the city of Karachi into one of the most liveable and investor friendly economic hub.

Karachi Water and Sewerage Services Improvement Project (KWSSIP) covers the entire Karachi Division focusing on providing urban water management and rehabilitation of KWSB network which includes safe drinking water, optimal functioning of sewerage services and its treatment. The project also aims to support “at risk” groups living in informal settlements to decrease their vulnerability bringing them to fold of inclusive development. Besides, the KWSSIP will also support private sector participation by providing sustainable, economically efficient long-term solutions. KWSSIP will have two primary beneficiaries; it will enhance the quality of life for the citizens of Karachi by providing water fit for consumption with much easier access and increasing the overall capacity and service delivery of KWSB.,

I am very certain that this project will see immense success. On its completion, KWSSIP shall pave the way for KWSB to become one of the best performing utilities in the region.

I wish KWSSIP team success in attaining the targets.

With an estimated population of 17 million, Karachi is Pakistan’s largest city, financial hub and the main port. Like all megacities, Karachi has grown so quickly that it struggles to deliver basic infrastructure services. The increase in population has led to an unprecedented demand for extending the scope and quality of water supply and sewerage services.

Since its establishment, Karachi Water & Sewerage Board (KW&SB) has been working to provide services for the improvement of water supply and sewerage. However, we realize that in the face of aggravating challenges of the delivery of these services, innovative solutions are required on a sustainable basis. Karachi Water and Sewerage Services Improvement Project will be instrumental in providing reliable and affordable safe drinking water and functional sewerage services. The project will reduce exposure to unsafe drinking water and increase access to sewerage services, with a particular focus on informal settlements, supporting reforms and enabling complementary infrastructure investments. The project will address the serious WASH service gaps in the rapidly growing city. The series of projects will provide strategic coherence and a long-term financial framework for the ambitious infrastructure expansions and utility reform programs pursued by KW&SB.

As the Managing Director of KW&SB, I want to ensure that the series of projects, under KWSSIP, are being executed successfully and efficiently. We are working endlessly to reach our milestones in a timely manner to improve the city’s water supply infrastructure. We are extremely proud of the work our team puts forth in helping to better the daily lives of the Karachiites and I wish them the best as they take on this challenge.

Karachi Water and Sewerage Services Improvement Project (KWSSIP) aims to provide safe and reliable water and sewerage services to the people of Karachi. Furthermore, under the project, practical steps shall be taken to make KWSB a financially sustainable and operationally efficient water utility while attracting private sector innovations and investments. KWSSIP has impressively exhibited its first footprint while delivering 28 state of the art Suction and Jetting Machines to KW&SB on 14th August, 2021. The utility of this maiden sub-project was best and successfully tested during Monsoon-2021.

The first and second phase of the KWSSIP will concentrate on implementation of reforms roadmap – wherein technical and managerial capacity of KW&SB shall be developed through comprehensive human resource strategy and emulating financial best practices. The investment component of water and sewerage priority network, water lines shall be replaced under the project scope and physical activities shall take effect from May, 2022. KWSSIP is bringing cutting-edge Trenchless Technology for rehabilitation and replacement of priority sewer lines, where found necessary.

Focusing more on customer-centric approach, state of the art customer service centers shall be established in each District of Karachi for prompt resolution of water and sewerage-related complaints and allied service delivery. Besides reforms, the project shall introduce water flow-measurement in distribution network which will help reduce revenue loss in any locality. The project shall also install metering system on the bulk water and conduct of energy audits for energy consumption optimization and reduction in operation and maintenance cost of KW&SB.

The contours of KWSSIP are designed on the principle of inclusiveness. Therefore, considerably neglected informal settlements or Kachi Abadis shall progressively be brought under project implementation mechanism. To attain this end, a dedicated Katchi Abadi Cell has been established which will engage with locally-run Community-Based Organizations for effective delivery and recovery of user charges on water and sewerage services in such areas. KWSSIP also intends to enhance women’s participation in water utility and meaningfully reduce the gender gap in water sector. To this effect, a comprehensive Gender Action Plan shall be developed and implemented in letter and spirit.

KWSSIP also encourages and promotes private sector innovations and investment in water sector through PPP options studies.

The Project Implementation Unit (PIU) of KWSSIP is fully capable, and committed to work diligently and execute project interventions with a blend of professionals from KW&SB and private sector. To ensure transparency, all project related information, activities and documents are available on the KWSSIP website for public access.