B Mirror Report: Dhaka Wasa is set to seek approval from the Executive Committee of the National Economic Council (Ecnec) for a Tk 920.85 crore “Emergency Water Supply in Dhaka City” project, which will rely heavily on groundwater extraction despite warnings about the capital’s rapidly depleting water table.

The project aims to add 57 crore litres of water per day by replacing 388 deep tube wells, installing 62 new ones, regenerating 280 wells, and rehabilitating 60 others. Additional components include 44 iron removal plants, 250 pump houses, expanded pipeline and electrical networks, and a SCADA system for real-time monitoring. If approved, the project would run from January 2026 to June 2030, fully funded by the government.

Experts have criticized the initiative as a short-term stopgap that undermines Wasa’s previous goal of reducing groundwater dependence. Urban planner Prof Adil Mohammed Khan described it as “self-defeating,” warning that continued reliance on deep tube wells while ongoing surface water projects remain incomplete will exacerbate the crisis.

Currently, Dhaka’s daily water demand is about 320 crore litres, with 70 percent drawn from groundwater. Wasa’s ongoing projects, including Gandharbpur Water Treatment Plant (Phase 1) and Saidabad Water Treatment Plant (Phase 3), are far from completion, with only around 50 percent and 20 percent progress, respectively, after years of work. These projects were designed to supply nearly 95 crore litres per day from sustainable surface water sources.

Former Wasa chairman Ghulam Mostafa highlighted that concerns over excessive groundwater extraction date back to 2009–10, noting that the water table falls about one metre annually, raising costs and increasing environmental risks.

Wasa officials insist the emergency project is essential to meet rising demand and maintain supply until the larger surface water projects are completed. A feasibility study by the Institute of Water Modelling showed a benefit-cost ratio of 1.34 and an internal rate of return of 18.91 percent. However, experts stress that financial viability alone does not ensure long-term sustainability.

The project will cover approximately 361 square kilometres across Dhaka North and South City Corporations. Analysts and former officials have urged the government to prioritize completing existing projects and adopt a coordinated, long-term water management strategy rather than relying on repeated interim measures.

In summary, while the project promises immediate relief, critics warn it may deepen Dhaka’s water crisis unless structural solutions are implemented urgently.