Environment and experts at a seminar on Thursday stressed reducing dependency on groundwater use in producing water for Dhaka Water Supply and Sewerage Authority (Wasa).They said the withdrawal of underground water is not environment-friendly and landslides may occur in the city anytime due to over-extraction of groundwater.
Bangladesh Paribesh Andolan and Dhaka Water Supply and Sewerage Authority jointly organised the seminar, tilted ‘Environment Water Management: the Achievement of Dhaka Wasa’ at Cirdap auditorium in the city on the occasion of the World Environment Day, says a UNB report.
Chaired by water scientist and former professor of Buet Firoz Ahmed, the seminar was addressed by Dhaka Wasa chairman Engineer Rahmat Ullah, its managing director Taqsem A Khan, Bapa general secretary Abdul Matin and Dhaka University teacher Prof Asif Nazrul.
Speaking at the seminar, Taqsem A Khan said Dhaka Wasa has already taken a plan to go for surface water sources in producing water to reduce dependence on groundwater.
“About 70% of Wasa water will come from surface water sources by 2021, which will be ecologically and environment-friendly water management.”
Taqsem said all slum dwellers in the capital will be brought under the legal water connections of Dwasa by 2015 to establish a sustainable water management.
“Karial is the biggest slum in the city. The slum will be brought under legal water network by December next,” he said, adding that if the slum dwellers cannot pay for water, they will be provided with legal water connections to ensure sustainable water management.
Prof Asif Nazrul stressed the need for incorporating the ‘right to safe drinking water and sanitation’ in the constitution a fundamental right to ensure water for all.
