WSSP to register, charge another 250,000 households

PESHAWAR: The Water and Sanitation Services Companies (WSSP) has identified 250,000 potential households under Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Water Governance Programme.

According to a press release, their registration would lead to WSSP’s financial sustainability. The households were identified during the 18-month long survey under Swiss Development Corporation-funded Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Water Governance Programme. Launched in October last year, the survey documented water and sanitation needs in 67 union councils, 45 urban and 22 rural union councils. During the survey, WSSP identifies 90,000 households in Zone A, that comprises of nine urban union councils while 80,000 in Zone B, providing services in 21 union councils. Similarly, 64,000 households were identified in Zone C that comprises of seven union councils and 26,000 households in Zone D which is providing services in seven union councils. “Registration of these households will be a step towards financial self-sustainability and lead toward improvement in services,” said Chief Executive Officer WSSP Syed Zafar Ali Shah. Under the water governance programme that continued for two years under which WSSP built the capacity of its field and management staff operational and management for the better services delivery. To meet future needs of its growing number of consumers, the sanitation company had started work on a master plan under the KPWGP. The plan will help WSSP to assess water supply needs and quantity of waste generation, keeping in view the current increase in the number of consumers. The WSSP currently disposes of around 780 tons daily that is proposed to reach 1,117 tons. “The WSSP will improve its resources like manpower and machinery in light of the recommendations proposed under the Master Plan to efficiently caters to needs of consumers,” the chief executive officer said. The survey also highlighted the requirements of households in 22 rural union councils – how many tube-wells would be required and quantity of waste generation. Redesigning of the drainage system is also been proposed under the plan while sites for the sewer treatment plants were proposed. It recommended acquiring sites, waste transfer stations, at different localities. Moreover, a robust business plan was finalized to make the utility financially self-sustainable.

For mass sensitization on water conservation and sanitation, WSSP set up a separate wing named Citizen Liaison Cell. The cell holds awareness workshops and sessions to engage the community to keep the city clean.

The company set up community awareness departments to sensitise community regarding hazards of dumping of waste at improper places.