Chittagong is grappling with a severe water crisis as production at four Chittagong Water Supply and Sewerage Authority (WASA) treatment plants has declined due to rising salinity in the Halda River and falling water levels in the Karnaphuli River. The shortage has intensified during Ramadan, affecting thousands of residents.
Against a daily demand of 600 million liters, WASA had been supplying 450–500 million liters. Officials said production has now fallen by 70 million liters because of the deteriorating river conditions. To manage the situation, water rationing has been introduced in several parts of the city.
WASA relies on the Halda and Karnaphuli rivers, operating four major water treatment plants: Madunaghat and Mohra on the Halda, and Karnaphuli Water Treatment Plant-1 and Plant-2 in Rangunia.
During high tide, salinity in the Halda reaches 2,900 milligrams per liter, far exceeding the 50 mg/l tolerable limit. This forces the two Halda plants to remain closed for six to seven hours daily. Meanwhile, low tides reduce water levels at the Karnaphuli plants, making water lifting impossible until the tide rises.
The crisis, which began in late January, has worsened over time. Many residents have had to rely on tube wells at mosques for safe drinking water, but even this cannot fully meet demand. Residents say the shortage is a year-round problem.
Saifuddin of the Akbar Shah area said: “Since the beginning of Ramadan, we are not getting WASA water regularly. Sometimes it is dirty or foul-smelling. Recently, salinity has become a new problem.” Moin Uddin of Bahaddarhat added: “Water is being supplied through rationing. Because of this, we are suffering.”
Currently, WASA supplies around 400–420 million liters daily from the four treatment plants and deep tube wells. About 30% of this water is lost due to leaks, referred to as “system loss” or “air.” The utility serves 78,542 residential and 7,767 commercial connections through 770 kilometers of mostly old pipelines, contributing to frequent supply interruptions.
Chittagong WASA issued an emergency notice attributing the shortage to natural causes. The notice said, “Due to the dry season and falling water levels in Kaptai Lake, water release from the hydropower project has decreased, increasing salinity at the Halda-sourced plants. Water lifting must be stopped for six to seven hours daily, leading to an abnormal decline in production and supply.”
Authorities urged residents to use water sparingly and expressed regret for the inconvenience.
Chief Engineer Maksud Alam told Dhaka Tribune that saline sea water is entering the Halda River. “During high tide, salinity reaches 2,900 mg/l, forcing six- to seven-hour daily stoppages. The Karnaphuli plants, which used to supply 280 million liters daily, now produce 240 million liters. Madunaghat and Mohra, previously supplying 180 million liters, now provide 160 million liters,” he explained.
Mahmud Hasan, manager of Kaptai Hydropower Plant, said the lake level fell to 92 meters above mean sea level, below the 94 MSL rule curve. Only two of the plant’s five units are operating, generating 70 MW of electricity, down from the full 242 MW capacity.
Dr Manjurul Kibria, a Halda River researcher and professor of zoology at the University of Chittagong, said: “If rainfall increases or more water is released from Kaptai, salinity would decrease. The tolerable level of salt in water is 50 mg/l, but WASA has recorded up to 2,900 mg/l—water that is unsuitable for drinking under any circumstances.”
District Civil Surgeon Dr Jahangir Alam Chowdhury warned of potential health risks, saying, “Excessively saline water can lead to various waterborne and other diseases. People should avoid drinking it and rely on pure water whenever possible.”
