By Ijaz Kakakhel

Faisalabad’s water production capacity is set to increase by 30 million gallons per day (MGD) as work on the Extension of Water Resources for Faisalabad City Phase-II project advances, with 52% physical progress achieved and completion targeted for September 2027.

The Water and Sanitation Agency (WASA), Faisalabad, is executing the water supply project with the support of the Government of Punjab and France’s Agence Française de Développement (AFD).

The project has an approved cost of Rs14.637 billion, comprising Rs2.847 billion in local financing and Rs11.790 billion in foreign financing. The foreign component amounts to €94.01 million, of which €39.171 million has been disbursed, while €54.839 million remains undisbursed.

According to official documents available with Wealth Pakistan, the project will add 30 MGD to Faisalabad's water production capacity, narrowing the gap between water supply and demand and providing improved water services to an additional 600,000 people.

Its major components include a 25 MGD water treatment plant at the Lower Gogera Branch and a further 5 MGD extension of the existing Phase-I water treatment plant. The scheme also involves construction of a 24-kilometre raw water transmission main using 1,300mm and 1,600mm diameter pipelines and a 6.5-kilometre treated-water line of 1,100mm diameter.

According to the latest project status, the contract for the water treatment plant was signed on August 8, 2024, while the contractor, CMEC China, mobilised at the site on October 8 of the same year.

The contractor has completed the treatment plant’s design phase and started civil works. The civil structure is expected to be completed by the end of 2026. Delivery of electrical and mechanical equipment is also in progress, with installation scheduled to begin in October 2026.

Work on the transmission system has also moved forward. The transmission main contract was signed on October 15, 2025, and Turkish contractor Metag mobilised at the site on December 15, 2025.

The contractor has completed the topographical survey of the project alignment. Some 1,600mm diameter pipes have arrived on site, while excavation, bedding and compaction work has been completed. Laying of 1,300mm diameter pipes is also in progress, while manufacturing of the 1,100mm diameter pipes continues.

A Project Management Unit was established in February 2022. Turkish consultant M/S Art completed its assigned tasks, including assistance in selecting contractors for the water treatment plant and transmission main.

The project is being implemented under a Design, Build and Operate model, comprising three years of construction followed by three years of operation.

Once completed, the project is expected to improve water availability for Faisalabad residents and help reduce health problems associated with inadequate water supply.

Credit: INP-WealthPk