The government has launched a Tk920.85 crore project to secure emergency water supply in the capital and stabilise the city’s existing distribution system amid rapidly growing demand for safe water.
The project, titled “Emergency Water Supply in Dhaka City,” has been designed as an interim measure to meet rising demand and sustain supply until the major surface water treatment plants now under construction become operational.
Proposed by the Local Government Division, the project is scheduled to be implemented by Dhaka Water Supply and Sewerage Authority (Dhaka WASA) by June 2030 with full government financing.
This project has already got approval by the Executive Committee of the National Economic Council (ECNEC) in its last meeting.
Member (Secretary), Programming Division of the Planning Commission SM Shakil Akhter, said that once the project is implemented, it would help a lot to address the capital’s growing water demand.
He informed that during the last ECNEC meeting, the Dhaka WASA was directed to conduct a study on the groundwater, recycling of water and optimum utilization of rain water harvesting and thus submit its report before the highest authority of the government.
A senior Planning Commission official said that the project has three key objectives to stabilise the existing water supply system in Dhaka Metropolitan City on an emergency basis in response to rising demand, ensure an additional supply of 576 million litres per day (MLD) of water and modernise pump operation and water management through installation of a Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) system.
Dhaka WASA currently produces and supplies around 2,977 MLD of water from groundwater and surface water sources to nearly 20 million residents in Dhaka and adjoining areas.
“At present, groundwater accounts for 66 percent of total water production, while surface water contributes the remaining 34 percent,”
Officials said rapid urbanisation, population growth and improved living standards have significantly increased per capita water consumption, putting growing pressure on the capital’s water supply network. Water demand in Dhaka is projected to rise to approximately 3,558 MLD by 2029.
To address long-term water security concerns, the official said Dhaka WASA has adopted a strategy to gradually reduce dependence on groundwater and increase reliance on surface water sources.
As part of this transition, construction of the Gandharpur Water Treatment Plant (Phase-1) with a capacity of 500 MLD and Saidabad Water Treatment Plant Phase-3 with a capacity of 450 MLD is underway and expected to become operational in 2026 and 2028 respectively.
Until those treatment plants are commissioned, the official said the emergency project will serve as a temporary intervention to maintain water production and ensure uninterrupted supply for city residents.
The project area will cover the jurisdictions of Dhaka North City Corporation (DNCC) and Dhaka South City Corporation (DSCC), spanning nearly 361 square kilometres.
Major operations under the project include replacement of 388 deep tube wells to boost water production capacity. The initiative will also involve supply and installation of 450 pump motor sets, 450 Variable Frequency Drives (VFDs) and 124 SCADA systems to improve pump efficiency, automation and real-time monitoring of water distribution.
Besides, the project includes rehabilitation of 60 deep tube wells and regeneration of 280 others to restore efficiency and prolong operational lifespan.
A total of 44 iron removal plants will be installed to improve water quality, while 250 pump houses will be constructed to support system expansion.
To strengthen transmission and operational reliability, the project will also install 480 pump delivery lines, 28,000 metres of electrical cables and 40,000 metres of column pipes. In addition, around 7,150 metres of boundary walls will be constructed to protect infrastructure and operational facilities.
A feasibility study for the project has been conducted by the Institute of Water Modelling (IWM), which assessed its technical and operational viability.
The proposal was reviewed at a Project Evaluation Committee (PEC) meeting held on December 19, 2024, where it was recommended for approval subject to compliance with several observations.
The Planning Commission observed that implementation of the project would help maintain stability in Dhaka’s water supply system until the major surface water treatment plants are completed and brought into operation.
Bd-pratidin English/ ANI
