Water & Sanitation Services Bannu Operations Department

The Operations Department of Water & Sanitation Services Bannu (WSSB) is at the core of ensuring seamless and efficient delivery of essential municipal services. Its primary mandate is to maintain and enhance public health and environmental standards through effective management of water supply, sewerage systems, and solid waste services.

The department is responsible for planning, implementing, and monitoring day-to-day service delivery operations, ensuring that the infrastructure operates optimally to meet the needs of Bannu’s residents. The department is structured into three main domains:

1. Water Supply and Sewerage System

Water Supply
The water supply system in Bannu comprises multiple independent networks, many of which are aged and insufficient to meet current demands. The department oversees the operation and rehabilitation of these networks, which are supported by tube wells. These systems are often expanded to serve growing settlements but require consistent planning and hydraulic assessment to avoid inefficiencies and contamination risks.

Efforts include:

Maintenance and monitoring of over 170 water networks.
Upgrades to mitigate contamination risks from above-ground pipelines.
Promotion of sustainable household water use through storage tanks and booster pumps.

Sewerage System
The existing drainage and sewer systems face challenges due to aging infrastructure, urban encroachments, and improper waste disposal. The operations team works to de-silt, repair, and maintain the system to prevent blockages, overflows, and environmental hazards.

Key actions:

Rehabilitation of primary and secondary drains.
Cleaning clogged trunk sewers and restoring manhole access.
Addressing uncontrolled sewage outflows into rivers, canals, and agricultural lands.
Upgrading malfunctioning pumping stations and improving outfall structures.

2. Solid Waste Management (SWM)

WSSB’s SWM system is modeled on international standards, with the goal of transforming Bannu into a clean, healthy, and hygienic city. The system has evolved from traditional practices to a more structured, data-driven, and community-inclusive approach.

Scope of Work Includes:

Primary Collection: Door-to-door and street waste collection.
Secondary Collection: Use of tractors, dumpers, and loaders to transport waste to dumping sites.
Fumigation & Public Health: Regular malaria and dengue control measures via spray campaigns.
Revenue Collection: From hospital waste, private colonies, and fumigation services.
MoUs and Stakeholder Coordination: With private/commercial sectors for waste management collaboration.
Awareness & Campaigns: Community involvement in cleanliness drives and hygiene education.

Modern Practices:

GIS-based Solid Waste Management System (SWMS).
Community-level composting initiatives.
“Waste to Energy” planning.
Achieving up to 85% solid waste collection coverage.
Improved monitoring, reporting, and stakeholder engagement.

Operational Chain of Command:
Zonal Managers → Managers (SWM) → Assistant Managers → Chief Municipal Inspectors → Municipal Inspectors → Supervisors → Sweepers