Master plan to reshape capital's water system

The Capital Development Authority (CDA) and Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) on Monday signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) for preparing an integrated Water Supply, Sewerage and Drainage Master Plan for the Islamabad Capital Territory (ICT). CDA Chairman and Chief Commissioner Islamabad Sohail Ashraf signed the MoU on behalf of the authority, while JICA Detailed Planning Survey Team leader Miyagawa Masahito signed for the agency. Director General Islamabad Water Sardar Khan Zimri, Joint Secretary (Japan) Economic Affairs Division Fakhryia Anjum and other officials attended the ceremony at CDA headquarters. The agreement followed a detailed planning survey conducted by JICA's team from Aug 24 to Sept 14. During the survey, the team held consultations with CDA, Islamabad Water and other relevant organisations to develop the framework, scope and implementation arrangements for the proposed technical cooperation project. The 36-month project will principally cover ICT Zones 1 to 5, with detailed facility planning focused on Zone 1 and strategic assessment of Zones 2 to 5. The master plan will have 2050 as its target year and will set out short-, medium- and long-term plans for Islamabad's water supply, sewerage, sanitation and drainage systems. Under the water supply component, the project will assess existing and potential surface and groundwater resources and examine sustainable options for meeting Islamabad's long-term requirements. It will review existing water-resource development reports and proposals, including those relating to Tarbela, Chinot, Shahdara, Dotara and Chirah dams, as well as relevant proposals from previous JICA studies. The assessment will cover water-demand forecasting, abstraction, conveyance, treatment, transmission, distribution, storage, water quality, operation and maintenance, asset management and reduction of non-revenue water. Water sources will be compared on the basis of quantity, quality, reliability, climate risks, environmental and social considerations, indicative costs and implementation requirements. The project will also review institutional, financial and operational arrangements and propose a phased investment strategy. The sewerage and sanitation component will cover both sewered and non-sewered areas. It will assess sewer networks, wastewater collection and treatment facilities, decentralised treatment systems, on-site sanitation, faecal-sludge management, receiving-water quality and maintenance arrangements. The plan will identify priority measures to improve sanitation, reduce pollution and clarify the responsibilities of CDA, Islamabad Water, private developers and other relevant entities. Minimum planning and service requirements for private developments will also be reviewed. The stormwater component will assess natural streams, drains, drainage networks, flood-risk areas and locations vulnerable to localised flooding. It will identify priority interventions to improve drainage infrastructure and maintenance and reduce risks associated with extreme rainfall and urban flooding.