CWASA to stop use of deep tube-wells by 2022

CHATTOGRAM, Sept 19: Chattogram Water Supply and Sewerage Authority (CWASA) is set to stop the operation of all deep tube-wells within next year as the authority can now supply adequate water to city-dwellers.

Sources said CWASA installed a total of 96 deep tube-wells to meet the demand of city-dwellers for water. Of them, CWASA has already closed a total of 66 deep tube-wells while the rest 30 deep tube-wells will be closed within next year.

As 30 deep tube-wells are now in operation under the rationing system, groundwater level has increased by 8-10 feet recently, said engineers concerned at CWASA.

CWASA is going to supply a total of 500 million litres of water to city dwellers. Sheikh Hasina Water Treatment Plant project (phase II) undertaken to supply 143 million litres of water per day has already been completed.

"Chattogram WASA was supplying 260 million litres of water per day while the authority could supply 500 million litres of water per day from the current month after the inauguration of Sheikh Hasina Water Treatment Plant," according to a source.

Managing Director of CWASA Engineer AKM Fazlullah said, "We will close all deep tube-wells as soon as possible. In future, there will be no crisis of water. We can supply adequate water to city dwellers. So, there is no need of deep tube-wells."

He added: "We have renovated and replaced decades-old asbestos and PVC pipelines with high-density polyethylene and ductile iron pipes which could supply water for 80-100 years."

WASA can now supply only 70 per cent of the total demand of 500 million litres of water. The mega project will help bridge a huge deficit between supply and demand, he said.

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