Despite growing concerns over the fast-depleting groundwater table, Dhaka Wasa is set to seek Ecnec’s approval for a Tk 920.85 crore “emergency” water supply project that will rely on groundwater extraction.

Titled “Emergency Water Supply in Dhaka City”, the proposed project aims to add 57 crore litres of water per day by replacing deep tube wells, installing new ones, and regenerating existing wells, according to project documents.

The project is likely to be placed at an Executive Committee of the National Economic Council (Ecnec) meeting today. If approved, it would be implemented from January 2026 to June 2030 with government funding.

The move comes at a time when two of Dhaka Wasa’s surface water projects, aimed at ensuring a sustainable water supply for the capital, remain incomplete.

It also triggered concern among experts, who say the initiative reflects a growing dependence on short-term fixes while structural solutions continue to face delays.

Wasa’s goal was to reduce groundwater dependence, but failure to complete ongoing projects while returning to large-scale extraction is unsustainable.

Prof Adil Mohammed Khan Urban planner

The projects -- Gandharbpur Water Treatment Plant (Phase 1) and Saidabad Water Treatment Plant (Phase 3) -- were designed to shift the city away from its heavy reliance on groundwater. Once operational, the projects are expected to add nearly 95 crore litres of water daily.

However, both remain far from completion even after years of work.

According to the Wasa sources, only around 50 percent of the Gandharbpur project has been completed over the past decade, while progress on the Saidabad Phase 3 project stands at just about 20 percent.

This slow pace has significantly contributed to the growing supply gap in the capital, they said.

Experts, however, view the new “emergency” project as a stopgap measure.

Former Wasa chairman Ghulam Mostafa told The Daily Star that concerns over excessive groundwater extraction date back to 2009–10.

He noted that the water table is falling by about one metre each year, driving up costs and risking a deeper crisis.

Wasa officials insist the project is a necessity as water demand in Dhaka is rising rapidly, while large projects face delays.

Abdul Majid, the project’s focal person, said the crisis could worsen without additional supplies during this interim period. “The initiative is both interim and essential,” he said.

He said Dhaka’s daily water demand is about 320 crore litres, with 70 percent currently supplied from deep tube wells. The proposed project will add 57 crore litres per day.

He added that rehabilitating old infrastructure and using modern technology would improve system efficiency.

Projections show Dhaka’s water demand may reach 360 crore litres per day by 2029 due to population growth and urbanisation.

To meet the demand, the project plans to replace 388 deep tube wells, install 62 new ones, regenerate 280 wells, and rehabilitate 60 others.

It also includes installing 44 iron removal plants, 250 pump houses, and expanding pipeline and electrical infrastructure. A SCADA system will be introduced for real-time monitoring.

A feasibility study by the Institute of Water Modelling found the project viable, with a benefit-cost ratio of 1.34 and an internal rate of return of 18.91 percent.

However, experts warn that financial viability does not ensure sustainability without timely implementation and proper planning.

They say completing existing projects on time could have avoided the need for repeated interim measures, reducing costs and stabilising the system.

Urban planner Prof Adil Mohammed Khan criticised the project as “self-defeating”.

He said Wasa’s original goal was to reduce groundwater dependence, but failure to complete ongoing projects while returning to large-scale extraction is unsustainable.

He warned that groundwater levels have already dropped significantly, and such initiatives will only prolong the crisis.

“The government should prioritise completing ongoing projects instead of allocating such a large budget for interim measures,” he said.

If approved, the project will cover around 361 square kilometres across the Dhaka North and South city corporations.

Experts say isolated measures will not resolve the water crisis and call for a coordinated, long-term strategy.

Ghulam Mostafa said, “Public money is being wasted due to delays in major projects. Such interim projects will increase costs and harm the environment.”