Al-Jazari Academy

Day 2 of the training “Climate Resilient WATSAN: Strategies for Water Security, Circular Economy, & Concept of Water Sensitive Cities: Designing DMAs, DMZs, & Leveraging Water Metering for Sustainable Urban Water Management”. The sessions focused on Non-Revenue Water (NRW) management, water balance concepts, water conservation strategies, and demand management to enhance efficiency and sustainability in urban water systems.

Participants further explored the design, layout and configuration of District Metered Areas (DMAs) and District Metered Zones (DMZs), along with the importance of water metering systems, types of meters, and communication technologies. The day also included an exposure visit to WASA Lahore’s pilot DMA project and the SCADA control room at Johar Town, Lahore providing practical insight into real-time monitoring and modern water utility management.

Day 1 of the training “Climate Resilient WATSAN: Strategies for Water Security, Circular Economy, & Concept of Water Sensitive Cities: Designing DMAs, DMZs, & Leveraging Water Metering for Sustainable Urban Water Management” brought together Assistant Directors, Deputy Directors, Graduate Engineers, XENs and SDOs from WASAs and PHED North & South. The sessions focused on the concept of circular economy in the WATSAN sector, highlighting resource recovery and reuse, circular business models, greywater systems, and rainwater harvesting for sustainable water management practices.

The training also introduced the concept of Water Sensitive Cities, emphasizing integrated urban water management, water efficiency and conservation, flood resilience and climate adaptation, and integrated water governance. Participants explored innovative approaches for building climate-resilient and sustainable urban water systems to address future environmental and water security challenges.

The 2nd and last day of the training “Tubewell Design & Installation: Hydrological, Electrical & Mechanical Considerations” brought together Assistant Directors, Deputy Directors, Graduate Engineers, XENs, and SDOs from WASA (Lahore, Faisalabad, Jhang, Rawalpindi, Multan, Okara, Lodhran, Chakwal, Taunsa, Khanewal, Kasur, Bahawalnagar, Jhelum, Narowal) and PHED North. The sessions focused on fiberglass material, fabrication of fiberglass blind and strainer pipes, and precision slotting of strainer sections to ensure efficient groundwater abstraction systems.

The training further covered operation and maintenance of tubewells, including regular inspection schedules, pump & equipment repair, and replacement practices. At the concluding session, ADG Punjab WASA Mr. Saleem Ashraf delivered the closing remarks, appreciated the active participation of attendees, and distributed certificates among the participants.

Day 1 of the training “Tubewell Design & Installation: Hydrological, Electrical & Mechanical Considerations” brought together Assistant Directors, Deputy Directors, Graduate Engineers, XENs and SDOs from WASA (Lahore, Faisalabad, Jhang, Rawalpindi, Multan, Okara, Lodhran, Chakwal, Taunsa, Khanewal, Kasur, Bahawalnagar, Jhelum, Narowal) and PHED North. The sessions introduced participants to electrical resistivity surveys, including hands-on practice on setup, data collection, and basic interpretation for groundwater investigations and assessment.

The training further covered key aspects of groundwater quality, abstraction methods, types of tubewells, planning and design considerations, and site selection feasibility studies. Participants also learnt tubewell design specifications, material selection and drilling along with pump installation & piping systems for efficient tubewell construction and operation.

We were pleased to host Masters and PhD students from the Centre of Excellence in Water Resources Engineering (CEWRE), UET Lahore, lead by Prof. Dr. Atiq ur Rehman, Director CEWRE, at the Academy for a study tour. The delegation was received by Mr. Tayyab Farid, Director General of Punjab WASA and Dr. Souman Khalid, Principal AJWA. The students visited key facilities, including electro-mechanical and IT labs, training and dining halls, and the committee room, gaining practical exposure to the Academy’s operations.

During the visit, students were briefed on AJWA’s research initiatives, particularly groundwater monitoring and recharge systems, as well as studies on crown failures of sewer pipes. The tour provided a valuable platform for knowledge sharing, connecting academic learning with real-world water and sanitation challenges.

Happening Now: 1st Meeting of Special Committee regarding deliberations of Budgetary Streams of AJWA, convened by Mr. Anwar ul Haq Toor, Member Sanitation Punjab WASA and attended by Prof. Dr. Atiq ur Rehman, Member Water Supply Punjab WASA, Mr. Ghufran Ahmad, MD WASA Lahore, Dr. Souman Khalid, Principal AJWA and Mr. Azeem Iqbal, Dy. Secretary Tech HUD&PHE Department.