Karachi Water and Sewerage Board officials have said that frequent power breakdowns are the main cause of water shortage in the city and it would continue as long as Karachi Electric Supply Corporation does not ensure regular supply of electricity to KWSB pumping stations. Talking to Business Recorder on Wednesday they said that eight pumping station were worst hit in the city.
They said that the frequent power breakdowns in Districts West and Central, being the residential area of the low-income people, at pumping timings had disrupted water supply to many parts in Orangi Township, Baldia, parts of Lyari, North Nazimabad, Nazimabad, North Karachi, Federal B Area, Azizabad, Liaquatabad and Gulbahar.
The officials said that KWSB had tried its best to explain the necessity of planned and scheduled electricity load shedding in different areas so that the pumping timings could be adjusted accordingly.
They said that the KESC had said that due to increasing heat in the daytime minor accidents took place and disturbed power supplies. These accidents were beyond any control and could happen anytime.
KWSB officers said that if one pumping station was closed for one operation its next turn for operation always came after at least 24 hours. This gap in pumping and water supply was enough to create water shortage for the next 24 hours, they added.
People in the water deficit areas said that they had been staging demonstration against KWSB but without any result.
They said that areas, which were without door to door supplies were the worst affected as people were supposed to collect water from the community taps. The community taps are crowded and by the time one gets his/her turn it is time to switch off the supply.
Taking advantage of water shortage water tanker operators are selling water at exorbitant rates. A 1200 gallons water tanker costs Rs 350 to Rs 400 and all double tankers cost Rs 500 to Rs 600.
The tanker supply being arranged by the rangers is difficult to get. To get a slip for one tanker of 1200 gallons of water one has to pass through a number of procedures. Long queues outside the ranger's water distribution points are normal sights.
KWSB officers said that stoppage of water in pipelines due to non-operative pumps was unsafe for main pipelines. The water pressure is enough to cause major damage to main pipelines and in turn cause water supply disruption for a longer period.