Unplanned water use and untreated industrial waste put communities in industrial zones at risk

The textile and garment industry, which accounts for nearly 85% of Bangladesh's total exports, now presents two starkly contrasting realities. On one hand, Bangladesh ranks among the world's top countries in terms of environmentally friendly factories.

On the other, a large number of factories – mostly small and medium-sized enterprises that are not directly linked with well-known international brands – continue to damage the environment through unplanned water use and poor water resource management.

Indiscriminate use of water and chemicals in washing, dyeing, and finishing units of textile and apparel factories has posed serious threats to surrounding rivers, canals, residential areas, and public health. At the same time, excessive extraction of groundwater has led to a rapid decline in groundwater levels.

ETP operation and groundwater use are frequently part of sector-wide discussions. However, in many factories, systems for monitoring and documenting these practices are still evolving, resulting in limited availability of verifiable data. Insights gathered through interviews with factory workers, officials from several government agencies, and local residents paint a chilling picture. 

Eight years ago, water was available with a 200-foot pipe. Now we have to go down 300 to 350 feet. Earlier, it was enough to install the motor at 70 feet, but now the motor has to be set at 150 feet.

Azad, resident in Birulia

According to workers of an old factory (name withheld) in Kotalerbagh area of Kutubpur Union under Narayanganj Sadar Upazila, the factory extracts groundwater from a depth of around 1,500 feet daily using two pumps to carry out all textile processing activities. Although an ETP has been installed, it remains non-operational most of the time. Factory employees said that liquid waste is discharged through drains, often under the cover of darkness. 

Local residents alleged that during the monsoon season, when roads become waterlogged, the factory releases chemically contaminated wastewater directly onto the streets.

A similar situation exists at another washing factory in the Lalkha area of Fatullah, where dyeing operations are conducted in the same manner. Groundwater is continuously extracted and stored in tanks, reportedly from at least 1,000 feet below the ground. The factory has no ETP, and wastewater is discharged through drains that eventually flow into the Shitalakshya river.

Speaking to The Business Standard on condition of anonymity, a sub-assistant engineer of the Department of Public Health Engineering of Savar said that observations over the past three years show groundwater levels in Savar Upazila have been declining by an average of at least three feet per year. The most severe depletion has been recorded in Ashulia, Yearpur, and Birulia unions -- areas known for high industrial concentration -- where groundwater levels are falling by an average of five feet annually. Among these three, Yearpur Union has been identified as the worst affected.

Abdus Sattar, a resident of the Rajashan Polo Market area in Savar, told TBS, "Six years ago, the submersible pump at my house was set at a depth of 150 feet. Recently, due to the falling water table, we had to lower it another 20 feet. In other words, the groundwater level has dropped by 20 feet in just six years."

Several residents of the Baipail area in Ashulia said that back in 2008–09, clean water was available at depths of around 60 feet. Now, water cannot be found even at 100 feet, and even when water is available, it is no longer clean.

Azad, a resident of Ward Number 4 in Birulia, told TBS, "Eight years ago, water was available with a 200-foot pipe. Now we have to go down 300 to 350 feet. Earlier, it was enough to install the motor at 70 feet, but now the motor has to be set at 150 feet."

A number of canals and rivers in Gazipur -- one of the country's key industrial hubs -- are facing severe pollution due to the discharge of untreated industrial wastewater.

Arefin Badal, Deputy Director of the Department of Environment (DoE) in Gazipur, told TBS, "There are allegations that some small factories are still operating without ETPs. Whenever we receive such information, we conduct drives and impose fines."

He added, "Installing and regularly operating an ETP is very expensive. To cut costs, many factories install ETPs but engage in malpractice by keeping them switched off. When our inspection teams go on a drive, the news spreads quickly, and they turn the ETPs on temporarily."

"However, we try to identify such violations by examining water footprints. There are around 700 factories in Gazipur where excessive amounts of water are used and chemicals applied," Arefin said.