Water loss audit planned

Indus River System Auth-ority and Siemens have severe differences over the efficiency of Rs. 350 million telemetry system installed by Siemens. IRSA plans to audit water losses in rivers and scrap telemetry system.

Sources said IRSA has asked federal government to stop payment of Rs. 3 million arrears to Siemens - the contractors of telemetry system - because of its failure to rectify the system. Water and Power Development Authority had given Rs. 9 million contract to Siemens for operation and maintenance of the system last year as the system was not providing accurate data on water discharges.

Sources said IRSA inform-ed the ministry of water and power that it was not satisfied with the working of telemetry system and there was no reason of paying full amount to contractors.

Balochistan, NWFP and Sindh IRSA members had opposed last year to award contract for operation and maintenance of telemetry system to the contractor who had originally installed the system following continuous problems in the system and IRSA's refusal to run the project independently unless all faults were rectified.

Federal government, however, on the recommendations of the WAPDA hired the services of Siemens that had completed the project.

IRSA has proposed to the government to totally revamp the idea of telemetry system, with preparing a new feasibility report and other technical designs based on new calibrations because the existing system has completely failed to provide correct data since its inception in September 2004.

Sources said that IRSA will conduct an independent study of water losses in rivers to take remedial measures and ascertain equitable provincial water shares after correct provision for water losses.

Currently, Irsa assumes 15% water losses while allocating provincial shares although it is verified that the losses are more than 16% on an average. For example, water losses in Taunsa-Guddu Reach were registered at 77%.

Sources said Minister of Water and Power told senate committee that Siemens in-stalled second hand telemetry equipment. However, Siemens is ready to prove to the senate committee that new equipment was installed.

They claimed entire equipment in the system was brand new and from well renowned manufactures. Inspection of equipment was carried out by Wapda and Nespak immediately after shipment landing and prior and after the installation and no quality issues were raised.

The Prime Minister Insp-ection Committee also visited several sites with representative of IRSA, WAPDA, NESPAK and Siemens and no such quality of equipment, material issue was identified.