The Karachi Water and Sewerage Board, in continuation of its most disorganised system of water supply, sewerage and defective policies on water-billing, has so far not shown any willingness to bring an improvement in their faulty services, despite the various types of irregularities highlighted through the press media by consumers paying KWSB taxes regularly. The water billing of the KWSB, without recording the consumption-readings by appropriate meters, is neither genuine nor judicious and the continuance of such an ill-practice, in disregard of the hue and cry of the taxpayers, is an open crime of usurping public rights.

The irony of citizens residing in flats complexes is that, despite their regular payment of taxes, the KWSB, on its own failure to collect water bills from defaulters, out-right withholds the water-supply to the entire, complex in violation of the genuine rights of the to taxpayers. On the contrary, the KWSB running away from its duty, holds the taxpayers and Welfare Associations responsible for the recovery of payment from defaulters living in flat complexes.

The earliest the Water Reading Meters are installed, the soonest various irregularities on part of the KWSB can be regularised. It will ensure the supply of recorded-water and its quantified billing in a justified manner, paving the way for an equal check and balance on both the KWSB and the consumers as well. This will also bring to light, all the illegal-connections, leakages, theft and shall help to minimise the loss of numerous gallons of water, ensuring its usage in a systematic manner,

Besides the increase of water supply for 7-8 hours on a daily-basis, instead of the short supply for only 2-3 hours on alternate days of a week, the quality of water is also to be improved. The water presently being supplied, is highly contaminated causing various infections to the human body during house-hold use and bacterial diseases, which time to time is highlighted by the print and electronic media.

The long existing poor sewerage conditions are further worsening day by day in every nook and corner of Karachi, although KWSB also collects billions of Rupees taxes for providing proper sewerage service to citizens. But in return, the concerned section of the KWSB seldom cares for this service as if it is not their duty, exhibiting over-flow of sewerage water and choked gutter-lines all around.

This shows the inefficiency, incompetency and poor helplessness of the MD of the KWSB to set the wrongs right under his command. Therefore, the government high-ups in the larger public interest, are expected to take note for initiating the installation of water reading meters at point of supply on a top priority basis and solve the relevant issues by re-structuring the KWSB.

Copyright Business Recorder, 2005