The World Bank Board of Executive Directors is preparing to approve the second Karachi Water and Sanitation Services Improvement Project (KWSSIP-2) on Thursday.
According to a $240 million report by Business Recorder, the project aims to provide safe water and sanitation services in Karachi while improving the financial and operational performance of the Karachi Water and Sewerage Corporation (KWSC).
The KWSSIP-2 project consists of four main components designed to address water supply and sanitation challenges in Karachi:
This component focuses on technical and organizational improvements to transform the drinking water and wastewater company into an efficient facility. Activities include reforming human resources, developing a gender-inclusive recruitment strategy, and establishing a central laboratory for water quality testing. It also supports the development of guidelines and operationalization of the KWSC Act of 2023.
The larger component aims to strengthen infrastructure and service delivery, and address structural issues such as lack of bulk water supplies, leaky distribution networks, and weak wastewater treatment capacity. The investments will prioritize deprived areas, including the Katchi Abadis area, which benefits more than 500,000 residents. Projects include rehabilitation of water distribution networks, expansion of the sewer network, and non-revenue water (NRW) reduction initiatives.
This component ensures effective project implementation, supervision and evaluation. It also funds feasibility studies for future water and wastewater infrastructure projects.
While this component has zero allocations, it provides flexibility to reallocate funds to support emergency response activities during crises.
The project aims to address critical issues in Karachi’s water and sanitation system, such as intermittent water supply, poor service levels, and inadequate wastewater treatment. Modernization efforts include the use of digital technologies for monitoring and performance-based programs to reduce water loss.
The initiative, supported by contributions from the World Bank, the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB), the Asian Development Bank (ADB), and private capital, is aligned with the Karachi Master Plan 2008, which is scheduled to be updated in 2024. The Sindh government expects The main project and program will work to improve service delivery, reduce risks to public health, and promote sustainable urban development in Pakistan’s largest city.
The approval of the KWSSIP-2 project is expected to significantly develop Karachi’s water and sanitation infrastructure, addressing long-standing challenges while preparing for future urban growth.