Amid unchecked pollution, Savar's groundwater could become unusable in 10 years
About 85–86% of the area’s potable water comes from groundwater, making the region heavily dependent on underground aquifers
Along the bank of the Karnatali River, a branch of the Dhaleswari cutting through Savar, a stretch of cropland lies beside the highway. Across the fields, a narrow muddy drain carries industrial wastewater toward the river. The water appears unnaturally blue, while the whitish sludge around it is laden with toxic chemicals and microorganisms, reportedly discharged from nearby textile factories before reaching farmland.
About half a kilometre southwest lies Karnapara, a densely populated textile industrial hub and residential neighbourhood. Wastewater flows into the only remaining 20-foot-wide Karnapara canal throughout the day — a steady stream of blackish liquid mixed with industrial discharge.
Residents say the canal has remained clogged with industrial effluents and household waste for nearly two decades, turning what was once a functioning waterway into a stagnant channel of pollution.
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The rivers surrounding Savar — including the Bongshi, Turag, Karnatali, and Dhaleswari — have long suffered from pollution as industrial clusters have expanded along their banks. Landfills and dumping sites have also grown into mound-like hills of waste.
As a result, environmental pressures have intensified, placing natural resources under increasing strain and gradually rendering them hazardous to human use.
Savar, a rapidly urbanising and industrialising area within Dhaka district, now faces a mounting threat of groundwater contamination. According to the Water Supply and Sewerage Authority (WASA), about 85–86% of the area's potable water comes from groundwater, making the region heavily dependent on underground aquifers.
Experts warn this groundwater is particularly vulnerable due to its proximity to industrial zones, waste dumping sites, and poorly managed water systems. A study titled "Groundwater vulnerability assessment in Savar upazila of Dhaka district, Bangladesh — A GIS-based DRASTIC modeling" indicates that around 21% of Savar falls under high vulnerability to contamination, while about 45% is moderately vulnerable.
Home to nearly 23 lakh people, Savar relies largely on groundwater extracted through deep tube wells and submersible pumps. Residents often describe the water as "so clear it reflects like a mirror," and most households consume it directly for drinking and cooking without filtration. Geologically, the region lies within the Madhupur Tract above the productive Dupi Tila aquifer, which has long provided a reliable source of clean groundwater.
"The aquifer enabled the development of a reliable groundwater-based water supply in this area," said Dr Mashura Shammi, professor at the Department of Environmental Sciences at Jahangirnagar University.
She warns that if pollution continues unchecked, the groundwater beneath Savar could become heavily contaminated within the next 10–15 years. With most surface water already polluted by industrial chemicals, heavy metals, and other contaminants, groundwater remains the region's primary source of drinking water.
Contamination occurs where pollution exists
Savar's industrial growth has helped turn Bangladesh's garments sector into a multi-billion-dollar success story. Yet as exports expanded, environmental pressure on land and water resources intensified. Experts say groundwater contamination is largely driven by unregulated industrial activity and poor waste management.
"The common cause of groundwater contamination is its connection with polluted surface water and industrial waste dumped in low-lying areas," said Kazi Matin Uddin Ahmed, professor of geology at the University of Dhaka. "In many cases, contaminants from the surface seep through the soil and eventually reach groundwater."
Pollutants pass through the vadose zone — the layer between the ground surface and the water table — before entering the aquifer. In some areas, a natural red clay layer near the surface slows contaminant movement, but beneath rivers, this layer is often thin or absent, allowing pollutants to reach groundwater more quickly.
Besides conventional contaminants such as arsenic, iron, and manganese, experts warn of a growing presence of emerging pollutants that do not occur naturally. "Water quality may appear acceptable under standard measurements, but the real concern lies with emerging pollutants such as heavy metals, microorganisms, and chemicals like PFAS," said Professor Ahmed. These "forever chemicals" persist in the environment and do not break down easily.
Landfill sites are another major pathway of contamination.
Rainwater percolates through accumulated waste, dissolving heavy metals and organic substances to produce leachate — a dark liquid that seeps into soil and groundwater. Across Savar's industrial zones — including Hemayetpur, Ashulia, and Zirabo — such pollution has become common. Groundwater tests have already detected industrial pollutants such as chromium, lead, and manganese, indicating growing human influence on water quality.
An area defined by unplanned development
Wastewater from the Savar Tannery Industrial Estate (STIE) flows into the Dhaleswari River, while solid waste from the estate is dumped in a nearby yard, raising concerns about both surface and groundwater pollution. The central effluent treatment plant (CETP), built to process tannery waste, remains only partially operational despite more than Tk500 crore spent over 21 years.
According to the Bangladesh Tanners Association, 163 tanneries are registered at STIE, with 130 operational. During peak months, these factories generate around 45,000 cubic metres of wastewater daily, while the CETP can treat only 25,000 cubic metres.
"Contamination can spread beyond the immediate discharge zone and potentially affect groundwater," said Dr Shammi. Over time, contaminants from disposed solid waste, particularly leather scraps, can leach into surrounding soil, increasing chromium pollution risk.
Beyond tanneries, the textile and dyeing industries are also major contributors. Around 400 industries linked to ready-made garments operate in the Savar–Ashulia belt. "Almost all of these industries are located along rivers and canals," Dr Shammi said, noting that many factories either lack proper waste management systems or fail to operate their ETPs effectively.
Landfills add another major source of groundwater pollution. Rainwater passing through piles of municipal waste produces leachate containing dissolved solids, ammonia, organic matter, and heavy metals.
One of the largest sites is the Aminbazar Landfill, the main disposal facility for Dhaka North City Corporation. Spread across roughly 52–55 acres, it receives 3,000–3,500 tonnes of solid waste daily, with piles rising nearly 90 feet. Residents within a 10-kilometre radius, including villages like Konda and Baliarpur, may face significant contamination risks. Smaller informal dumping grounds have also emerged across Savar, especially along rivers, canals, and highways.
Growing environmental and health concerns
Groundwater contamination carries serious environmental and public health costs, as the aquifers serve as the main water source for domestic, agricultural, and industrial use. "One of the major environmental impacts is the gradual degradation of soil quality," said Professor Ahmed. Contaminated groundwater is used for irrigation, allowing heavy metals and toxic chemicals to accumulate in soils, reducing fertility and crop productivity.
Research around STIE found high concentrations of heavy metals such as chromium, cadmium, lead, and copper in surrounding soils, with chromium levels up to 3,220 mg/kg — 32 times higher than recommended safety limits. Polluted groundwater also discharges into nearby rivers, canals, and wetlands, degrading aquatic ecosystems and threatening biodiversity. Industrial pollution introduces heavy metals that accumulate in plants, fish, and other organisms, moving up the food chain.
Public health risks are equally concerning. A study examining drinking water in Savar restaurants found 17 out of 20 samples contaminated with coliform bacteria, while Escherichia coli was detected in 35% of samples, indicating faecal contamination.
Microbial pollution can spread water-borne diseases, including diarrhoea, cholera, typhoid, and dysentery. Long-term exposure to contaminated water may also cause liver damage, kidney dysfunction, neurological disorders, and increased cancer risks.
The way ahead
Rapid industrialisation and urban expansion have dramatically reshaped Savar, replacing natural spaces and water bodies with factories, settlements, and infrastructure.
"Over the years, industrialisation has expanded settlements and infrastructure in Savar, replacing many natural spaces and water bodies," said Farhadur Reza, associate professor at the Department of Urban and Regional Planning at Jahangirnagar University. His research mapping land transformation between 1995 and 2024 shows urbanisation in Savar increased by around 274%.
Over the years, industrialisation has expanded settlements and infrastructure in Savar, replacing many natural spaces and water bodies. Addressing groundwater contamination requires tackling two major drivers: industrial pollution and weak waste management systems.
Addressing groundwater contamination requires tackling two major drivers: industrial pollution and weak waste management. Stronger enforcement of environmental regulations is essential. Industries are required to install and operate effluent treatment plants before releasing wastewater, but many either lack such facilities or keep them non-functional. "Industries that fail to treat their waste properly should not be allowed to operate. Factory licences should be suspended until proper treatment systems are installed," Reza said.
Improving municipal waste management is another critical step. Waste disposal in Savar largely involves collecting household garbage and dumping it in open spaces. Effective management should include collection, segregation, processing, and safe disposal. Biodegradable waste could be converted into compost, while recyclables like plastic, paper, glass, and metal should go to recycling industries.
Proper landfill design is also essential, including protective liners to prevent contaminated liquids from seeping into soil. "In Bangladesh, most landfill sites do not follow these standard practices. Waste is simply dumped until it forms a mound," Reza said.
Beyond technical solutions, strict land-use planning is necessary. Industrial facilities should not be located near residential areas or sensitive water bodies. "If proper land-use planning existed, many of these industries would not have been allowed to operate in those locations," he said.
