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Local Government, Rural Development (LGRD) and Cooperatives Minister Abdul Mannan Bhuiyan asked Tuesday Dhaka Water Supply Authority (DWASA) to develop a sustainable supply system based on surface water to meet the capital's water demand, report agencies.
"In total 82 per cent of DWASA water is extracted from the underground and only 18 per cent derived from surface water sources. Because of over extraction, ground water table is rapidly falling, which is not at all environment friendly," he said.
He was speaking as the chief guest at the inauguration of "Stakeholders Consultation Workshop for Dhaka Water Supply Policy" jointly organised by Dhaka WASA and Asian Development Bank (ADB) at the Local Government and Engineering Directorate (LGED) auditorium.
He said the DWASA is currently meeting 80 per cent of total demand of water in the capital.
The LGRD minister said the problems associated with urbanisation are becoming more prevalent in the country.
"Especially, the service providers are being confronted with the important task of providing safe water and sewerage facility in the mega cities like Dhaka. The Dhaka WASA is trying its best to meet the rapidly increasing demand of water," he said.
Bhuiyan also said a long-term policy and planning should be adopted through which the proper use of water resources is ensured.
Presided over by LGRD Secretary AHM Abul Kashem, the meeting was addressed, among others, by State Minister for LGRD and Cooperatives Ziaul Haque Zia, ADB representatives Shakeel Ahmed Khan and Hua Du and DWASA Managing Director Kazi Ali Azam.
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