Karachi mayor briefs industrialists on project to recycle sewage water for industrial use Azad News HD

Karachi, Pakistan’s bustling economic powerhouse, stands at a crucial crossroads where industrial expansion, population growth, and mounting environmental pressures all converge. On Wednesday, Karachi Mayor Murtaza Wahab held an important series of meetings with industrialists in the city’s major manufacturing zones — the Sindh Industrial and Trading Estate (SITE) Area and Haroonabad — where he briefed stakeholders on ongoing sewage treatment and water recycling projects designed specifically to cater to industrial demand. The meeting marks a strategic policy direction: addressing chronic water shortages, reducing environmental degradation, modernising infrastructure, and strengthening the sustainability of Karachi’s industrial base.

This in-depth 3000-word article explores the significance of Wahab’s engagement, the technological and environmental aspects of the projects, the industrial sector’s concerns, the historical context of Karachi’s water crisis, and the broader implications for economic development, environmental reform, and urban governance.

1. Introduction: Why This Meeting Matters

Water scarcity is one of the defining challenges of Karachi’s future. With an estimated population exceeding 20 million and an industrial sector that serves as Pakistan’s economic backbone, the city faces unprecedented pressure on its water infrastructure. Combined with ageing pipelines, insufficient sewage treatment plants, and the dumping of untreated wastewater into natural waterways, the situation demands decisive, sustainable solutions.

Mayor Murtaza Wahab’s meeting with industrialists in SITE and Haroonabad comes at a critical time. Industrialists have long complained of unreliable water supplies, high operational costs due to dependence on tankers, and regulatory hurdles. By updating them on sewage treatment and water recycling initiatives, Wahab is signalling a long-term policy shift: industries must gradually transition to treated, recycled water for non-potable uses.

The mayor’s engagement also reinforces the government’s commitment to transparent communication, collaborative planning, and partnership-based urban governance.

2. The Context: Karachi’s Industrial Sector and Its Water Dependence

Karachi’s economy has always been inseparably tied to water. The SITE Area — one of the oldest and largest industrial estates in the country — along with the Haroonabad industrial cluster, houses hundreds of factories engaged in:

textiles and garments
leather processing
pharmaceuticals
steel and metal fabrication
chemicals and plastics
automotive parts manufacturing
food and beverages

Many of these industries require large amounts of water, not just for consumption but for cooling, dyeing, processing, and cleaning. Historically, the combination of growing industrial needs and expanding urban populations has strained the water supply system to the point of crisis.

Industries in Karachi receive only a fraction of their required water from official pipelines, forcing them to rely on costly tanker water — often procured from the informal "hydrant mafia". This situation adds significantly to production costs and undermines competitiveness.

Mayor Wahab’s briefing on water recycling projects aims to directly tackle these long-standing challenges.

3. Understanding the Mayor’s Initiative: Sewage Treatment and Water Recycling

The mayor outlined a multi-pronged approach involving:

1. Establishing and Upgrading Sewage Treatment Plants (STPs)

These include large-scale facilities designed to treat municipal wastewater to standards acceptable for industrial use. Karachi currently has three major STPs — designated as STP-I, STP-II, and STP-III — but their operational capacity has historically been far below installed capacity due to neglect, underfunding, and lack of maintenance.

Upgrades include:

increasing processing capacity
introducing modern filtration systems
adopting biological treatment methods
improving sludge management
restoring broken or outdated infrastructure

2. New Mini Treatment Plants for Industrial Zones

The administration is pushing for decentralised treatment systems located directly within industrial clusters. These smaller plants can be operated jointly by public and private stakeholders, allowing industries to access treated water more reliably.

3. Water Recycling and Reuse Networks

Recycled wastewater can be used for:

industrial cooling
washing and rinsing processes
dyeing and finishing operations (after appropriate treatment)
boiler feed water (in some cases, following advanced treatment)
garden and landscape irrigation within industrial zones

4. Pipeline Rehabilitation and Leakage Control

A major problem in Karachi’s water distribution network is leakage. The mayor briefed industrialists on efforts to repair pipelines, prevent illegal connections, and upgrade channels that carry treated wastewater to industrial areas.

4. Why Recycled Water is a Game-Changer for Karachi

The shift toward treated wastewater is not only a cost-saving strategy but an environmental necessity. Some key advantages include:

1. Relief for the Overstressed Karachi Water Supply

Karachi’s water system relies heavily on the Keenjhar Lake (via the Indus River), which is insufficient for the city’s rapidly growing population. Diverting industries to recycled water frees up potable water for households.

2. Reduction of Environmental Pollution

Most of Karachi’s 450+ million gallons per day (MGD) of wastewater is discharged untreated into the sea, rivers, and drainage channels. Treatment stops this cycle of ecological destruction.

3. Cost Savings for Industries

Recycled water is significantly cheaper than tanker water. Industries stand to save millions of rupees annually.

4. Improved Industrial Output and Competitiveness

Reliable water enhances productivity, reduces production delays, and strengthens the export potential of industries.

5. Alignment with Global Sustainability Standards

Many international buyers now require factories to demonstrate sustainability practices. Water recycling initiatives help Karachi industries meet global standards.

5. The SITE Area: Historical Importance and Present Challenges

Established in 1947, SITE is one of Asia’s largest industrial estates. It employs hundreds of thousands of workers and contributes billions to the national GDP. But over the years, it has suffered from:

crumbling infrastructure
unreliable utilities
waste mismanagement
inadequate water supply
environmental degradation

Industrialists have repeatedly called for government intervention.

Mayor Wahab’s visit to SITE Area is therefore more than symbolic — it reflects a renewed commitment to rehabilitating one of the city’s most important economic zones.

6. Haroonabad Industrial Cluster: A Critical Hub Requiring Modernisation

Haroonabad houses several medium to large-scale industries and has experienced similar issues: severe water shortages, sewage overflow, poor drainage, and lack of environmental compliance.

During the visit, the mayor briefed industrialists on how treatment and recycling projects will directly serve Haroonabad’s factories, creating a more stable supply system.

7. Industrialists’ Concerns: What They Want From the Government

The meeting gave industrialists a rare opportunity to voice their grievances and expectations. Their top concerns include:

1. Reliable Water Delivery

Industrialists emphasised that treated water supply must be:

consistent
affordable
efficiently distributed

2. Quality Standards of Recycled Water

Industries require specific water quality levels depending on their processes. Many factories, especially in textiles and pharmaceuticals, expressed concerns about:

pH levels
salinity
chemical residues
bacterial contamination

3. Transparency in Tariffs

Industries want clear pricing regulations for treated water to avoid unexpected increases.

4. Coordination Between Government Agencies

A major complaint is bureaucratic delays from overlapping agencies such as:

Karachi Water & Sewerage Corporation (KWSC)
Sindh Solid Waste Management Board
local municipal authorities

5. Industrial Infrastructure Upgrades

Improved roads, drainage channels, and power supply are essential for industrial growth.

Mayor Wahab acknowledged the concerns and promised synchronized action.

8. The Mayor’s Broader Vision for Karachi’s Water Ecosystem

The sewerage treatment and recycling initiative is part of a larger plan:

1. Making Karachi a Water-Secure City

By 2030, global experts estimate that Pakistan could face extreme water shortages. Karachi must prepare now.

2. Reducing Dependence on the Keenjhar Water System

Diversifying water sources is essential for urban stability.

3. Ending the Tanker Mafia’s Monopoly

Tanker water contributes to corruption, inefficiency, and public frustration.

4. Restoring Natural Waterways

Karachi’s rivers, nullahs, and coastal zones have been polluted for decades due to untreated sewage. Treatment plants could reverse some of this damage.

5. Encouraging Public-Private Partnerships

Industrial clusters may eventually operate their own mini treatment plants under government oversight.

9. The Environmental Imperative: Why Karachi Cannot Delay

The environmental implications of continuing the current system are severe:

1. Marine Pollution

Untreated sewage damages marine ecosystems, threatens fisheries, and harms tourism.

2. Soil Contamination

Contaminated water used for irrigation can damage agricultural lands.

3. Public Health Risks

Waterborne diseases such as cholera, typhoid, and hepatitis spread faster when sewage systems fail.

4. Industrial Waste Mismanagement

Industries discharge chemicals that must be pre-treated before reaching municipal systems.

Water recycling is essential to preventing an environmental catastrophe.

10. Global Comparisons: How Other Cities Solved Similar Problems

Several international megacities have overcome water scarcity through recycling:

1. Singapore

Known for its NEWater programme, Singapore recycles up to 40% of its wastewater.

2. Dubai

Treated wastewater is used extensively for landscaping and industrial needs.

3. Los Angeles

Plans to recycle 100% of its wastewater by 2035.

4. Tel Aviv

Recycles nearly 90% of wastewater for agricultural use.

Karachi’s initiatives align with these global trends, though the city faces unique challenges.

11. Challenges Ahead: What Could Delay Progress

Despite the mayor’s commitments, obstacles remain:

1. Funding Constraints

Sewage treatment plants require massive investments.

2. Technical Expertise

Advanced water recycling demands skilled technicians and engineers.

3. Governance Issues

Cooperation between provincial and municipal authorities is essential.

4. Industrial Compliance

Industries themselves must pre-treat toxic effluents before sending them to municipal systems.

5. Maintenance Sustainability

Pakistan often struggles to maintain long-term infrastructure.

Effective monitoring and governance reforms will be key.

12. The Long-Term Vision: A Greener, More Competitive Karachi

If successfully implemented, the sewage treatment and recycling projects could transform Karachi into a more sustainable industrial city.

Projected Benefits Include:

reduced water scarcity
improved industrial productivity
lower environmental pollution
cleaner rivers and coastal areas
stronger investor confidence
compliance with global green standards

Karachi could emerge as a more competitive industrial hub in South Asia.

13. Conclusion: A Critical Step Toward Sustainable Urban Growth

Mayor Murtaza Wahab’s engagement with industrialists in SITE and Haroonabad signals a decisive shift in Karachi’s urban development strategy. By prioritizing sewage treatment, water recycling, and sustainable industrial operations, the city is taking long-overdue steps to address its worsening water crisis.

The meeting reflects a rare alignment between government vision and industrial needs. If successfully translated into action, these projects have the potential to reshape Karachi’s economic and environmental trajectory for decades to come, ensuring both growth and sustainability.