CDA Proposes Higher Water and Sewerage Charges Amid Islamabad’s Growing Water Crisis

ISLAMABAD: The Capital Development Authority (CDA) is preparing to increase water and sewerage charges in Islamabad, citing rising operational costs and a widening gap between expenditure and revenue recovery. According to officials, the proposed revision would be the first since 2018 and is expected to be submitted to the federal government for approval after a public consultation process.

The CDA says it currently provides water services with an estimated 80 percent subsidy, recovering only about 20 percent of its costs through user charges. Existing tariffs remain significantly lower than those charged by most water and sanitation agencies across the country, prompting the authority to propose revised rates, including higher connection fees. Islamabad continues to face a severe water shortage, with the city’s daily demand exceeding 220 million gallons while the CDA’s supply capacity stands at only 70 million gallons per day. Despite rapid population growth over the past three decades, no major new water source has been added, leaving many residents dependent on groundwater and private water tankers, particularly in areas where the water table has fallen sharply.

CDA officials say the authority is also pursuing long-term solutions, including the construction of two new dams and the proposed Ghazi Brotha water supply scheme, to improve the capital’s water security and meet future demand.