Groundwater depletion in Dhaka 2-3m a year: LGRD minister

LGRD Minister Tajul Islam today said in parliament that underground water level of Dhaka is going down by 2-3m every year, while the rate is 3m in Chattogram city.

In reply to a query from ruling Awami League MP Morshed Alam, the minister also said at present, the average underground water level in Dhaka city is 38m to 82m, depending on areas.

For Chattogram city, the average underground water level is 100m at present.

The LGRD minister said currently Dhaka Wasa is supplying 66 percent of its water from underground, while 34 percent from surface level.

He also mentioned that the government has taken up a project to construct three big water treatment plants to reduce the dependency of groundwater in Dhaka city by 2025.

The minister said they hope Dhaka Wasa would be able to ensure 70 percent water from surface level, and 30 percent from ground level by 2025.

For the Chattogram city, the minister said at present, the rate of water harnessed from underground is eight percent, while the remaining 92 percent water comes from surface level.