WASA Lahore Launches Smart Water Meters
The Water and Sanitation Agency in Lahore has launched a smart water metering system, with 1,000 ultrasonic smart water meters installed and activated in Johar Town.
Consumers in the area will now be billed on their actual water use. Daily consumption, meter readings, bills and usage details are available through the Punjab WASA app.
WASA Managing Director Ghufran Ahmed reviewed the smart metering system and its device management dashboard. The director for planning and engineering, Mudassar Javed, briefed him on the technical side of the project.
How the smart water meters work
Each ultrasonic meter records how much water a connection uses, and the reading is sent to a central dashboard. WASA staff can monitor all 1,000 meters through that dashboard, which also helps the authority map water demand and supply across the area.
For households, the change is simple: the bill matches the meter. A home that uses less water pays less, and a home that uses more pays for what it used. The app shows the reading each day, so a consumer can check the figure before the bill arrives.
The meters also remove the need for manual readings. No staff member has to visit a home to note the reading, which cuts errors and ends disputes over estimated bills.
10,000 more meters in three months
WASA Lahore said the project would expand with 10,000 more smart water meters over the next three months.
The rollout builds on earlier plans. In November 2025, WASA issued its first tender to buy 10,000 smart water meters at a cost of Rs500 million, with a pilot project in Johar Town’s A-1 Block. In September this year, officials said the province planned more than 150,000 smart water meters in Lahore, Rawalpindi and Faisalabad by 2029, as part of efforts to manage falling groundwater levels.
The new installations in Johar Town turn those plans into working meters on homes, with billing already switched to actual use.
Each meter costs Rs35,000 to install, and consumers can pay for it in easy installments. WASA has set up a revolving fund to finance the purchase of meters, and it plans to buy more through tenders three times a year. The authority says the metered billing will also help it recover the cost of water it supplies, since unmetered connections have long meant lost revenue.
Why metering matters for Lahore
Lahore’s groundwater has been falling for years, and unmetered connections make the problem worse. When water is charged at a flat rate, there is little reason to fix a leak or use less. A meter changes that calculation for every household.
The system also gives WASA something it has lacked: reliable data. With readings from every metered connection, the authority can see where demand is highest, where supply falls short, and where losses are likely. That data should help it plan new supply lines and storage.
The launch also fits a wider shift in Punjab towards digital public services. Islamabad is set to become the country’s first fully cashless city by December 31, and Lahore has tried cloud seeding to fight smog. Punjab has also banned garbage burning near schools, while Punjab and Sindh face a water shortfall for the rabi season. Metering the water that homes actually use is the next step in that direction.
Frequently asked questions
What has WASA Lahore launched?
A smart water metering system in Johar Town, with 1,000 ultrasonic meters installed and activated.
How will consumers be billed?
On actual water use, as recorded by the meter. Daily consumption, readings and bills can be checked on the Punjab WASA app.
How many more meters are planned?
WASA Lahore plans to install 10,000 more smart water meters over the next three months.
Why is Punjab installing smart water meters?
To bill consumers fairly on actual use, cut wastage, manage falling groundwater levels and give WASA reliable data on demand and supply.
