Bangladesh’s capital, Dhaka, faces a paradox: despite being crisscrossed by rivers and canals, millions struggle to access clean water. Ranked the seventh least livable city globally in 2022 by the Economist Intelligence Unit, Dhaka’s water woes stem from rapid urbanization, pollution, and aging infrastructure. But a solution flows from the Padma Water Treatment Plant, launched in 2019 as part of a $400M government initiative.
Capable of supplying 500 million liters daily, the plant now serves 3.5 million residents using advanced reverse osmosis technology to remove arsenic and heavy metals. Data shows a 25% reduction in waterborne diseases in connected neighborhoods since 2020. Experts credit its decentralized design for reducing strain on Dhaka’s overburdened primary water sources.
Environmental activists highlight its solar-powered operations and rainwater harvesting systems as models for sustainable urban development. \"This isn’t just about taps—it’s about climate resilience,\" says local engineer Farhana Akhtar, noting the project’s flood-resistant pumping stations. As Dhaka’s population nears 25 million, the plant’s success offers lessons for megacities globally facing water stress.
Reference(s):
cgtn.com
