Sagar Biswas :
Like the previous years, the dwellers of different city areas have been facing acute crisis of pure drinking water at the advent of hot summer season this year.
Usually the underground water layer goes deep to deeper in March and April. It is now falling drastically as about 88 per cent of water is being pumped out through deep tube wells. Besides, the annual maintenance work of sewerage and water pipelines in this part of the year makes the situation more critical.
And taking this opportunity, a section of unscrupulous officials of the Dhaka Water and Sewerage Authority [DWASA] allegedly start money-making business by selling water to the dwellers in a high price.
Managing Director of DWASA Engineer Taksim A Khan, however, denied the allegation saying that he would take tough action if any official is found involved with the illegal water trade.
“In fact, the problem is very much technical. It is not water scarcity. At this moment, we have no deficiency in production. But it is difficult to supply the water to the consumer level due to shortage of pump machines. Some of the pumps are kept shut due to technical problem,” the MD said.
But the scenario is totally different in many parts of the city, which does not match with the statement of top DWASA man. Actually, the crisis of drinking water along with moderate hot spell has multiplied the sufferings of the city residents now.
The condition of different city parts, particularly Azimpur, Malibagh, Mouchak,
Khilgaon, Rampura, Sayedabad, Jatrabari, Mirpur and Shyamoli is stated to be the worst. Household works, including bath and washing, have been stopped in several families of these areas due to low-pressure in the supply line.
In this situation, a section of dishonest DWASA officials are selling water to the sufferers above the actual price. The price of water in a tanker is Tk 600. But they are now taking Tk 1500 to Tk 2000 for the same.
At Jatrabari, long queues of residents, mostly women and children, would be seen almost every day in front of water pipe lines and hand pumps. Local residents alleged that the DWASA failed to make proper arrangements of water distribution, increasing pains of one area at the cost of other.
“We have not getting enough water for last seven days. The DWASA has not taken any initiative to meet the crisis despite repeated complaints. The situation will be worsening if water problem is not solved immediately,” said Md Anisur Rahman, a resident of Jatrabari yesterday.
Several people alleged that shortage of water have increased risk of spreading different diseases.
“Water supply begins in the area after 3 pm everyday, which has made our life miserable. We do not know when the authorities will remove all hindrances and we shall get water regularly,” Saifunnahar Begum, housewife and resident of Azimpur, said.
Official sources say that DWASA has a capacity to produce about 242 crore litres of water every day. But it can produce 228 crore to 230 crore litres in the capital and Narayanganj town. The condition of the water treatment plant at Pagla is not satisfactory.
Officials of DWASA said, “The situation has started deteriorating. If more water treatment plants are not installed, the people will face severe water shortage. The reasons behind water crisis are drastic fall of underground water level, insufficient water treatment plants and lifting of water by deep tube wells.”
Experts said the acute water crisis in Dhaka city has triggered for rapid growth of population and indiscriminate urbanisation making the available civic facilities inadequate. There remains a lack of safe water although Bangladesh is not in short supply of water.
Like the previous years, the dwellers of different city areas have been facing acute crisis of pure drinking water at the advent of hot summer season this year.
Usually the underground water layer goes deep to deeper in March and April. It is now falling drastically as about 88 per cent of water is being pumped out through deep tube wells. Besides, the annual maintenance work of sewerage and water pipelines in this part of the year makes the situation more critical.
And taking this opportunity, a section of unscrupulous officials of the Dhaka Water and Sewerage Authority [DWASA] allegedly start money-making business by selling water to the dwellers in a high price.
Managing Director of DWASA Engineer Taksim A Khan, however, denied the allegation saying that he would take tough action if any official is found involved with the illegal water trade.
“In fact, the problem is very much technical. It is not water scarcity. At this moment, we have no deficiency in production. But it is difficult to supply the water to the consumer level due to shortage of pump machines. Some of the pumps are kept shut due to technical problem,” the MD said.
But the scenario is totally different in many parts of the city, which does not match with the statement of top DWASA man. Actually, the crisis of drinking water along with moderate hot spell has multiplied the sufferings of the city residents now.
The condition of different city parts, particularly Azimpur, Malibagh, Mouchak,
Khilgaon, Rampura, Sayedabad, Jatrabari, Mirpur and Shyamoli is stated to be the worst. Household works, including bath and washing, have been stopped in several families of these areas due to low-pressure in the supply line.
In this situation, a section of dishonest DWASA officials are selling water to the sufferers above the actual price. The price of water in a tanker is Tk 600. But they are now taking Tk 1500 to Tk 2000 for the same.
At Jatrabari, long queues of residents, mostly women and children, would be seen almost every day in front of water pipe lines and hand pumps. Local residents alleged that the DWASA failed to make proper arrangements of water distribution, increasing pains of one area at the cost of other.
“We have not getting enough water for last seven days. The DWASA has not taken any initiative to meet the crisis despite repeated complaints. The situation will be worsening if water problem is not solved immediately,” said Md Anisur Rahman, a resident of Jatrabari yesterday.
Several people alleged that shortage of water have increased risk of spreading different diseases.
“Water supply begins in the area after 3 pm everyday, which has made our life miserable. We do not know when the authorities will remove all hindrances and we shall get water regularly,” Saifunnahar Begum, housewife and resident of Azimpur, said.
Official sources say that DWASA has a capacity to produce about 242 crore litres of water every day. But it can produce 228 crore to 230 crore litres in the capital and Narayanganj town. The condition of the water treatment plant at Pagla is not satisfactory.
Officials of DWASA said, “The situation has started deteriorating. If more water treatment plants are not installed, the people will face severe water shortage. The reasons behind water crisis are drastic fall of underground water level, insufficient water treatment plants and lifting of water by deep tube wells.”
Experts said the acute water crisis in Dhaka city has triggered for rapid growth of population and indiscriminate urbanisation making the available civic facilities inadequate. There remains a lack of safe water although Bangladesh is not in short supply of water.
