80% of Dhaka reservoirs marred by coliform bacteria: Study

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Bangla Tribune Desk
Published : 00:00, Jul 19, 2019 | Updated : 00:00, Jul 19, 2019

Eighty percent of rooftop and underground water reservoirs of Dhaka is contaminated with coliform bacteria, says a recent study. PHOTO: CollectedEighty percent of rooftop and underground water reservoirs of Dhaka is contaminated with coliform bacteria, says a recent study.
More than one third of water users are not provided with clear water, says the study ‘State of Cities 2018: Water Governance in Dhaka’.
For the study, the Brac Institute of Governance and Development (BIGD) surveyed 768 households in Dhaka and nearly 20 percent of them reported that they suffered from diarrhoea last year.
The findings were revealed on Thursday (Jul 18) at an event in Dhaka attended by Local Government Minister Tajul Islam and Dhaka Water Supply and Sewerage Authority (Dhaka Wasa) Managing Director Engineer Taqsem A Khan.
BGID’s Mohammad Sirajul Islam, who was responsible for conducting the lab tests, said only 20 percent of water samples from pump stations was contaminated with coliform bacteria.
The water is safe at source, but is contaminated in the distribution line due to illegal connections and uncoordinated development work managed by government agencies, which is damaging WASA pipelines.
“The highest levels of bacteriological substances were detected in underground reservoirs (6000/100ml) and tap water (2000/100ml) located in Babu Bazar of Old Dhaka,” he added, referencing the acceptable standards specified by the Bangladesh government and World Health Organization (WHO).
He further said substantial contamination occurs due to improper cleaning and maintenance of reservoirs, while the use of suction pumps also leads to contamination as the pumps tend to extract mud and other contaminants along with water.
According to the study, residents of flats in Dhaka consume an average of 310 litres of water per day – about twice Dhaka Wasa's estimated per capita demand. Slum residents consume an average of 85 litres of water per day.
Wasa is now in the process of replacing its pipelines, its top official Khan told the event.
"Some unscrupulous people are tampering with Wasa pipelines for illegal supplies, which is leading to the contamination," he added.
Rubber hose pipes are typically used to steal water, concealing them among thousands of linkages under sewage canals, the Dhaka Wasa managing director claimed
He further said the water supply authority is trying their best to ensure a sustainable, environment friendly Dhaka, and will hopefully complete the tasks by 2021.
Minister Tajul Islam stressed the need for raising awareness on water pollution and wastage.
"We need to put in our collective effort to ensure clean water", he added.
As per the instruction of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, the minister discussed a formulated plan that will aim to save rivers surrounding Dhaka, as well as the Karnaphuli River.
The study further indicates that groundwater levels have dropped by more than 60 metres in the last 50 years, and may continue the decline to 110-150 metres within the next 50 years.
More than one third of water users are not provided with clear water, the study said.

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