Chattogram Bureau :
Due to salt encroachment in Halda and accumulation of algae in Karnaphuli river, WASA’s daily water production has decreased by 15 crore litres.
WASA is trying to deal with the situation by rationing. Because of this, the people of some areas of the city are not getting drinking water even for two to three days. Due to shortage of water, the people of the city have suffered intolerable during the holy month of Ramzan.
When asked about the water crisis, Chief Engineer of Chattogram WASA Maqsood Alam said that salt encroachment in Halda and accumulation of algae in Karnaphuli river is disrupting the production of WASA. The production of 6 crore litres of water per day is decreasing in WASA’s Karnaphuli Water Treatment Plant-1 and 2 project located in Rangunia Pomra area. 28 crore litres of water was produced daily in these two projects. But due to the accumulation of algae in the river, production is only 20 crore litres for the last three days. Attempts are being made to increase water production by using different chemicals.
Also, water production in WASA Mohra and Madunaghat water supply projects is also decreasing due to rising salt water in Halda river. So although WASA has a capacity of 50 crore litres of water production per day, it is currently producing 35 to 36 crore litres. To deal with this production crisis, WASA has to deal with the situation by rationing.