Wasa supplies usable water, not fit for drinking: LGRD minister
He recommended that users purify Wasa water before drinking it
Local Government, Rural Development and Cooperatives (LGRD) Minister Md Tajul Islam has said that the Water Supply and Sewerage Authority (Wasa) supplies usable water that is not fit for drinking.
He stated this at Dhaka Wasa's Bill Collection Awards ceremony for banks, at its headquarters, on Saturday.
"Drinking water must consist of various types of minerals. H2O is the chemical formula of water but we cannot drink it directly. After mixing in minerals, it becomes drinking water," he said.
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Mentioning the water supplied by Dhaka Wasa goes to users through a long pipeline, which may not be safe, Tajul claimed, "No Wasa in the world supplies drinking water."
He suggested that users purify their water before drinking it.
"We purify water in various traditional ways. Now people drink Wasa water after purifying it using many types of filters," he added.
Replying to a question by journalists on the conflict between Dhaka South City Corporation Mayor Sheikh Fazle Noor Taposh and his predecessor Sayeed Khokon, the LGRD minister said, "We have heard about some disagreements between them."
"There might be allegations of corruption. If there is proof, then it is under the jurisdiction of the law," he added.
Bill Collection Awards
Currently, Wasa collects its utility bills through 34 banks. For the first time, the government agency has awarded three banks with crests and appreciation letters for their performance in fiscal year 2019-2020.
First Security Islami Bank collected the maximum amount of money as Wasa's utility bills and secured first position.
While Premier Bank and Southeast Bank secured second and third position, respectively.
The rest of the banks and a mobile financial service provider received appreciation letters.
Local Government Minister Md Tajul Islam handed over the crests and letters to the recipients.
He said, "We have a lot of achievements. But a lack of good governance and corruption have made us sad. Corruption is a historical matter for us. But we are gradually heading towards good governance."
Engineer Taqsem A Khan, managing director and chief executive officer of Dhaka Wasa, presided over the award-giving ceremony.
Additional Secretary of Local Government Division Muhammad Ibrahim and Wasa's board member Engineer Gholam Mostofa spoke at the programme as special guests.
