The Punjab government has launched a province-wide initiative to install water meters across 41 cities in a bid to improve water management and ensure fair usage.
The project, led by the Water and Sanitation Agency (WASA), is part of a broader Rs. 5 billion plan aimed at modernizing the water supply system. Under this initiative, households in WASA-controlled areas will receive individual water meters, similar to electricity and gas meters, and will be billed monthly based on actual consumption.
Officials say the move is designed to curb water theft, eliminate illegal connections, and promote transparency in water distribution.
Senior BS-19 officer Shazil Waqar has been appointed as Project Director to oversee the implementation of the water metering system.
The water meter rollout is one of three major projects approved by WASA. The other two initiatives include the installation of recharge wells to help restore groundwater levels and the development of improved drainage and sewerage systems in newly established WASA cities.
The recharge wells project has already begun in Lahore, where groundwater levels have dropped significantly, exceeding depths of 700 feet. The system will use modern techniques to channel rainwater underground and preserve open land for natural absorption.
Meanwhile, new drainage and sewerage infrastructure will be developed in 34 newly established WASA cities under the Punjab Development Programme-II, with work already underway in 16 locations.
Authorities have also signaled a long-term shift toward using surface water sources such as dams and rivers to reduce dependence on groundwater resources.
