WASA water smells bad yet 95% germ free, MD claims

Dhaka WASA is the only water supply company in the capital. People have complained that the organization has not been able to eliminate the water crisis and lack of fresh water even in 59 years. As a result, Dhaka WASA facing criticism throughout the year.

However, managing director (MD) of WASA, Taksim A Khan claimed he does not get bad smell from water anymore and it has been five and a half months. He said from where WASA produces water is almost 100% clean. But in different areas, because of pipe line leakage it is causing contamination.

Complaints about WASA water quality are endless. WASA could not satisfy the people about the quality of water even after year after year of allegations. Now the quality of water has become so bad that even boiling it does not remove the smell.

Many people wait in long lines for food and water in mosques and madrasas for hours.

Residents are in dire straits due to water shortage in various areas including Jurain, Matuail, Mirpur-10, Mohammadpur.

People are suffering from diarrhea if they consume this water. Diarrhea has increased at an alarming rate in the capital. Every day patients are admitted to the hospital. Diarrhea patients are mostly from Jatrabari, Sayedabad, Shanirakhra, Mohammadpur. Not only ICDDRB, but also in other government and private hospitals more or less diarrhea patients are being admitted. Many are taking treatment from home.

Along with the common people, the public representatives of the capital have come to the field to demand clean water. Khaleda Alam, the reserved councilor of wards 52, 53 and 54 of Dhaka South City Corporation (DSCC) told The Report.Live that apart from bad smell, there are various types of germs in the water supplied by Dhaka WASA.

Mizanur Rahman told The Report.Live that, since 2012, about 3500 applications and complaints have been given to Dhaka WASA about the bad smell of water. But still no solution has come. As a result, he is forced to collect water from the mosque and drink it. Like Mizanur, another named Mahbub lived in Jurain for a long time.

Public health expert Dr. Lelin Chowdhury told The Report.Live, "Dhaka WASA is not fulfilling the basic conditions of providing clean and safe water to the people of Dhaka. Water is being polluted while treating river water and supplying it to consumers through pipe lines. People are suffering from cholera and diarrhea by drinking contaminated water.

Dirt, bad smell, earthworms and cloudy color can be seen in the water. So the water should be safe and clean.

In an event organized by the Dhaka Utility Reporters Association (Dura) at the National Press Club on April 6 this year, the MD of Dhaka WASA said, 'I live in Paltan. My house also has the smell of water. Taksim A. Khan advised the city dwellers to boil water and then drink it.