The Asian Development Bank (ADB) and the Government of Bangladesh yesterday signed $275 million loan agreements for further improving and expanding water supply system in Dhaka. “This project will help over 7 million people in Dhaka get access to safe, regular and affordable water services.”Earlier, ADB provided DWASA with $400 million for improving water supply system in Dhaka, but physical water losses still need to be reduced to further improve service delivery in many areas. Climate change, including rising sea levels that could increase salinization of ground and surface water, is also expected to reduce available potable water. “Dhaka city is expanding fast, and demand for safe drinking water is rising rapidly,” said Higuchi. The new ADB assistance under the Dhaka Water Supply Network Improvement Project will be used to rehabilitate water distribution pipelines and set up new district metered areas, with about 5,000 new and legalised connections established among low-income communities and 2,29,000 connections upgraded for households and communities.

Source: Dhaka Tribune July 17, 2016 18:33 UTC