Ctg Wasa set for a Tk3,745cr water supply overhaul

Chattogram Water Supply and Sewerage Authority (Wasa) is awaiting final approval on a major development project involving Tk3,745 crore to improve the city's water supply and distribution system.

The Chattogram Water Supply Improvement Project, with financial backing from the World Bank, aims to replace 300km of existing pipelines and install 87,000 smart meters across the city.

The project also plans to establish 46 District Metering Areas (DMAs), enabling better water supply management and continuous monitoring. To ensure water availability during dry seasons, 40 deep tube wells will be installed to handle emergencies. 

According to Chattogram Wasa officials, the project is expected to not only enhance the city's water supply infrastructure but also improve operational efficiency and increase revenue for the organisation.

After completing surveys and preparing the Development Project Proposal, government funding approval was secured on 16 October.

The Project Evaluation Committee approved the proposal on Thursday (14 November) in a meeting chaired by Planning Commission Member (Physical and Infrastructure Division) Soleman Khan.

It is now awaiting final approval from the Executive Committee of the National Economic Council (Ecnec), with the loan agreement expected to be finalised by the end of the year.

Pipeline network upgrades, challenges

Chattogram Wasa currently operates a 1,300km pipeline network covering 168.21 sq km in the city. 

Previous major pipeline replacement projects include 45km under the Karnaphuli Water Supply Project-01, 150km under the Chattogram Water Supply Improvement and Sanitation Project (CWSISP), and 700km under the Karnaphuli Water Supply Project-02, which focused on the city centre. 

However, areas like Patenga, Khulshi, Kattali, Zakir Hossain Road, Foy's Lake, Akbar Shah, and Hathazari still rely on 400km of old pipelines, resulting in low water pressure and irregular supply.

Additionally, a 133km pipeline is being installed in Boalkhali, Patiya, and Anwara upazilas as part of the Bhandal Jhuri Water Supply Project, which is expected to be completed this year.

The city is divided into six hydraulic zones for water supply management. The Karnaphuli Service Area in the city centre benefits from the Karnaphuli Water Supply Project-02, with pipeline replacement and a DMA system providing uninterrupted supply to 46,000 connections, reducing non-revenue water to 10%. 

However, other zones with old pipelines, leakage, and illegal connections serve around 40,000 connections without a balanced supply. The new project will benefit about 45,000 connections, serving 10-12 lakh people. 

A total of 145 DMAs are needed across the operational area, with 59 already installed under Karnaphuli Water Supply Project-02 and 46 more planned. The DMA technology enables real-time monitoring of water supply volume and pressure through a Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) system.

Chattogram Wasa's Executive Engineer, Rezaul Ahsan Chowdhury, told The Business Standard, "We will keep the good sections of the old pipelines and replace the rest. To address problems like water turbidity or salinity during the monsoon, 40 deep tube wells in Kalurghat will be replaced.

"By installing DMAs and smart meters, we will be able to monitor all data related to water supply, pressure, and other calculations. Additionally, the storage facilities in Nasirabad and Halishahar will be renovated."

Smart meter installation, technology upgrades

Chattogram Wasa serves over 91,000 connections, with 93% residential and 7% commercial, providing water to nearly 32 lakh people. However, at least 10% of connected users do not receive a regular water supply.

The organisation has a daily water production capacity of 50 crore litres, sourced from the Karnaphuli and Halda Rivers, with additional supplies from deep tube wells. 

The Sheikh Russel Water Supply Project provides 9 crore litres, the Sheikh Hasina Water Treatment Plants supply 28.3 crore litres (14.3 crore litres each), and the Mohra Water Supply Project adds 90 million litres. The Bhandal-Juri Water Supply Project, once completed, will increase daily production by 6 crore litres.

The current daily water demand is 56 crore litres, projected to rise to 70 crore litres by 2032 and 122 crore litres by 2040. 

Chattogram Wasa's non-revenue water rate is 25-30%, much higher than the global standard of less than 5%. This results in a loss of Tk14-17 crore worth of water every month. 

Long-standing complaints of corruption among meter inspectors and officials have contributed to revenue loss, and managerial weaknesses have prevented the resolution of these issues.

Under the new project, 87,000 automated smart meters will be installed, along with 3,000 additional smart meters through a pilot project. 

Chattogram Wasa is also implementing a Meter Reading App, Management Dashboard, and NRW Monitoring Tool with JICA's support to improve institutional management and establish a data-driven system. This will help boost revenue collection, eliminate illegal water supply, and reduce non-revenue water.

The project will provide water to nearly 40,000 citizens in 19 low-income community areas and improve sanitation for 50,000 slum residents with sanitary latrines, septic tanks, and Decentralised Wastewater Treatment Systems.

To transform into a modern, customer-friendly organisation, the project includes improvements to institutional systems, the introduction of an Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) system for integrated management of all operations, and hands-on training for three years. 

A GIS-based Asset Management System will also be established to manage assets such as water treatment plants and pipelines. Additionally, a proposal has been made for constructing a modern store-warehouse.

The organisation's Chief Engineer, Maksud Alam, told TBS, "By installing new pipelines and implementing the DMA system, we will be able to control and monitor water pressure as needed. This will ensure a regular water supply for customers and help reduce the rate of non-revenue water."

Successful cost savings in previous projects

Chattogram Wasa's Karnaphuli Water Supply Project-02 saved Tk1,407 crore, with the project's cost coming in at Tk3,082.86 crore, compared to the initial estimate of Tk4,489.15 crore. 

The project included the construction of a water treatment plant with a daily capacity of 14.3 crore litres, 692km of distribution pipelines, 59 DMAs, and 35.3km of conveyance and transmission pipelines, and was completed in June 2023.

An evaluation report by the planning ministry's Implementation, Monitoring, and Evaluation Division in June 2024 showed savings in various areas, including Tk527 crore in contingency expenses (which were not used), Tk277 crore in Customs Duty VAT, Tk19 crore in compensation, Tk9 crore in Project Implementation Support, and nearly Tk5 crore in repairs and maintenance.

Project Director Engineer Maksud Alam said, "No public funds were wasted. Unnecessary expenses were not incurred, which is why savings were achieved."