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 the Dhaka Water Supply and Sewerage Authority, or Dhaka Wasa, by June 2030 with full government financing.
The project was approved by the Executive Committee of the National Economic Council, or Ecnec, at its last meeting.
SM Shakil Akhter, member secretary of the Planning Commission’s Programming Division, told BSS that once implemented, the project would help address the capital’s growing water demand.
He said Ecnec had directed Dhaka Wasa to conduct a study on groundwater, water recycling and optimum use of rainwater harvesting, and submit its report to the highest authority of the government.
A senior Planning Commission official told BSS that the project has three key objectives: stabilising the existing water supply system in Dhaka Metropolitan City on an emergency basis in response to rising demand, ensuring an additional supply of 576 million litres of water a day, and modernising pump operation and water management through the installation of a Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition, or Scada, system.
Dhaka Wasa currently produces and supplies around 2,977 million litres of water a day from groundwater and surface water sources to nearly 20 million residents in Dhaka and adjoining areas.
At present, groundwater accounts for 66% of total water production, while surface water contributes the remaining 34%, officials said.
They said rapid urbanisation, population growth and improved living standards had 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 million litres a day by 2029.
To address long-term water security concerns, the official said Dhaka Wasa had 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 million litres a day, and Saidabad Water Treatment Plant Phase 3, with a capacity of 450 million litres a day, is underway. The plants are 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 and Dhaka South City Corporation, 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 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 their 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 was conducted by the Institute of Water Modelling, which assessed its technical and operational viability.
The proposal was reviewed at a Project Evaluation Committee 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.
