LAHORE, Pakistan: Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz has ordered the installation of 5,734 water filtration plants across the province by June 2027 as part of efforts to improve access to safe drinking water.
The deadline was announced during a meeting of the Punjab Saaf Pani Authority in Lahore on October 25. Officials discussed the installation of filtration plants, maintenance arrangements, water supply infrastructure, and ongoing bottled water distribution projects.
Maryam Nawaz stressed that clean drinking water should be accessible to every citizen. She directed the relevant departments to ensure that filtration facilities are properly maintained and remain operational.
Installation of 5,734 Filtration Plants by June 2027
The Punjab government plans to complete the installation of 5,734 filtration plants by June 2027.
Deputy commissioners will oversee progress in their districts, while assistant commissioners will help supervise facilities at the local level.
The monitoring arrangements are intended to identify operational problems and ensure that newly installed plants continue providing drinking water after construction is completed.
Local Committees to Oversee Filtration Plants
The chief minister has approved the formation of local committees to monitor water filtration facilities.
Each committee will work under the relevant assistant commissioner and help identify maintenance issues and other problems affecting the plants.
Deputy commissioners will supervise the monitoring process at the district level.
The government expects these arrangements to improve accountability and help authorities respond when filtration facilities require repairs.
Mobile Maintenance Teams Planned for Every Tehsil
The provincial government also plans to establish mobile maintenance units in every tehsil.
These units will include plumbers and technical workers who can carry out repairs and address equipment faults at filtration plants.
The teams are expected to help reduce service interruptions and improve the response to maintenance complaints.
Regular inspections and timely repairs will be essential to keeping the facilities operational.
Last Mile Water Supply Project Targets Three Districts
Maryam Nawaz has also approved the Last Mile Water Supply Project to improve drinking water access in areas experiencing shortages.
Chakwal, Rajanpur, and Rawalpindi have been selected for the initial phase.
The project aims to expand water distribution networks and make supplies more accessible to communities that struggle to obtain drinking water.
The government also plans to introduce similar schemes in other areas as the programme progresses.
Water Supply Networks Planned in Chakwal and Rajanpur
The meeting outlined infrastructure plans for Chakwal and Rajanpur.
The proposed water supply network in Chakwal covers 256 kilometres, while the planned network in Rajanpur extends across 1,780 kilometres.
Together, these schemes represent 2,036 kilometres of planned water supply infrastructure.
Rawalpindi is also included in the initial project phase, but officials have not specified the planned network length for the district.
The schemes are intended to improve water distribution in communities affected by shortages.
Four Districts Produce 10,000 Water Bottles Daily
The meeting also reviewed bottled water facilities operating in Khushab, Dera Ghazi Khan, Rahim Yar Khan, and Bahawalpur.
According to the briefing, the four districts collectively produce around 10,000 bottles of drinking water daily. Each bottle contains 19 litres.
The initiative is intended to support communities that need improved access to drinking water.
Officials also provided updates on production and distribution under the provincial water bottling programme.
Water Bottling Project Reports 4.8 Million Beneficiaries
The government reported that the Chief Minister’s Water Bottling Project is expected to benefit approximately 4.8 million people.
Officials further stated that more than 75,000 one-litre water bottles had been delivered to households under the initiative.
The provincial government aims to continue distribution efforts and extend support to communities facing difficulties accessing safe drinking water.
The reported beneficiary figure reflects the government’s stated programme reach and does not necessarily mean that all those people currently receive regular water supplies.
Government Plans Wider Access to Safe Water
Maryam Nawaz reiterated the provincial government’s commitment to improving drinking water facilities throughout Punjab.
The planned filtration plants, mobile maintenance units, local monitoring committees, and expanded supply networks are intended to address gaps in access and maintenance.
The effectiveness of these measures will depend on timely project completion, regular equipment servicing, and consistent checks on water quality.
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The government has set June 2027 as the target for completing the 5,734 filtration plants.
