Sandbars block water flow in Padma River, pose risks to Padma-Jasholdia Water Treatment Plant

WASA warns of a severe threat to Dhaka’s water supply if dredging is not carried out to maintain intake

A vast sandbar or shoal area has emerged near the intake point of the Padma-Jasholdia Water Treatment Plant, significantly narrowing the river’s flow.

If the sandbar expands further, the river channel could be completely blocked, raising concerns that the plant may shut down.

Dhaka Water Supply and Sewerage Authority, or WASA, officials fear that if this situation persists, the second treatment plant under the project will also remain non-operational.

To maintain the water supply, WASA has sought assistance from the Bangladesh Water Development Board, or BWDB, for dredging the affected section of the Padma River.

PROJECT BACKGROUND AND INVESTMENT

The Padma-Jasholdia project was approved by the Executive Committee of the National Economic Council, or ECNEC, on Oct 8, 2013, to reduce Dhaka’s dependency on underground water and ensure a safe water supply.

The total cost of the project was Tk 36.7 billion, of which China provided Tk 25 billion on loan.

The first phase of the plant started in 2016 in Munshiganj’s Louhajong, and became operational in October 2019.

The plant was expected to supply 450 million litres of water per day to Dhaka.

However, the Padma-Jasholdia Water Treatment Plant has never reached full production since its inception, as the water supply network to Dhaka was not good enough.

Now, the future of the plant seems uncertain with sandbars blocking the source of the water.

WASA SEEKS IMMEDIATE DREDGING

As the Padma River continues to shift, WASA has urged BWDB to arrange a bilateral meeting to explore ways to restore the river’s flow at the intake point.

The managing director of WASA wrote to the WDB director general on Nov 3, 2024, regarding the matter.

According to the letter, the Jasholdia treatment plant supplies treated water to Dhaka through a 33-km-long, 2,000mm-diameter pipeline, meeting the demand for pure drinking water of 4 million people living in Dhaka's south and southwestern parts

WASA’s master plan also includes the construction of a second treatment plant with the same capacity to further reduce reliance on groundwater.

PADMA BRIDGE’S IMPACT AND URGENT NEED FOR DREDGING

A recent study by the Institute of Water Modelling, commissioned as part of WASA’s master plan update, found that the Padma Bridge has accelerated changes in the river’s main channel.

The study revealed that the original river flow near Jasholdia has been severely restricted due to existing and newly formed sandbars, pushing the primary current towards the eastern bank.

WASA warns that if no action is taken, the intake channel will soon be permanently blocked, putting the Padma-Jasholdia plant at risk of complete shutdown.

DHAKA’S WATER SUPPLY SITUATION

Dhaka’s daily water demand ranges between 2.65 billion and 2.7 billion litres, while WASA claims a production capacity of 2.75 billion litres per day.

Currently, 67 percent of the capital’s water supply comes from underground sources, pumped from 997 deep tube wells. The remaining 33 percent comes from surface water sources, including Chandnighat, Sayedabad Phase-1, Sayedabad Phase-2, Padma-Jasholdia in Munshiganj, and Bhakurta in Savar.

A new treatment plant with a 500-million-litre daily capacity is under construction in Rupganj, Narayanganj, which will process water from the Meghna River. The second phase of the Padma-Jasholdia project is also expected to add another 450 million litres per day.

CRITICAL NEED FOR IMMEDIATE ACTION

WASA insists that ensuring an uninterrupted clean water supply to Dhaka’s 20 million residents depends on keeping the first phase of the Padma-Jasholdia plant operational and proceeding with the second phase.

The intake point of the treatment plant is located one kilometre from the Padma’s banks in Jasholdia, Louhajang, Munshiganj.

Water is drawn from the river through mechanical intake and transported via pipelines to the treatment plant before being distributed to Dhaka.

At the time of project planning, the Padma’s flow passed through Baghra Bazar, Kamargaon, and along Bhagyakul.

However, sandbars have been forming in the Baghra Bazar area over the past several years, and during the dry season, a 10-km stretch from Baghra Bazar eastward is now covered by sandbars.

Some parts of the sandbar have widened up to 2.5km.

RIVER SEDIMENTATION BLOCKS NATURAL FLOW

A recent visit to the treatment plant’s intake point revealed that a sandbar had emerged on the opposite side, causing a drop in the river’s water level.

This branch of the Padma River extends westward to Bhagyakul Bazar, where agricultural activities are now taking place on newly emerged land.

Locals bathing near the intake point said that while a small stream remains between Kamargaon and Bhagyakul Bazar, the section from Balasur to Baghra Bazar upstream has silted up completely, preventing the natural flow of water downstream.

Residents of Jasholdia noted that while this part of the river remains active during the monsoon, it becomes significantly shallower in the dry season.

“During the dry season, the Padma’s water level drops so much that just ahead, the water is knee-deep, and people can walk across. Without dredging, this treatment plant will not get enough water,” Abdul Halim, a resident, told bdnews24.com.

AUTHORITIES ACKNOWLEDGE THE PROBLEM

Md Towhidul Islam, executive engineer (civil) of the Munshiganj Water Development Board, said satellite images show that sediment deposition began in the area around 2016-17 and has since expanded significantly.

“The construction and maintenance work related to the Padma Bridge could be contributing to this sediment buildup,” he said.

After receiving a request from WASA for dredging, an inter-ministerial committee was formed to address the issue.

“As this is a technical matter, a detailed study is needed, especially due to the proximity of the Padma Bridge. Any dredging would have to start near the bridge itself,” Towhidul said, adding that input from bridge authorities would be necessary.

“With multiple ministries involved, a committee has already been formed, and they have held a meeting to determine how to resolve this issue,” he added.

WASA WARNS OF WATER SHORTAGE

Md Fazlur Rahman, managing director of Dhaka WASA, said a narrow stream has formed between the river’s main flow and the intake point, increasing the risk of water supply disruption.

“The main flow of the Padma is beyond the sandbar. To ensure our intake point receives sufficient water, dredging is essential. An inter-ministerial meeting is planned to discuss the matter,” he said.

“If the water flow decreases further, the plant’s operational capacity will decline. We are hopeful that the treatment facility will not shut down, and we will take action before that happens,” he added.

A WASA official told bdnews24.com that while the plant was designed to supply 440 million litres of water daily, it is currently receiving only 220 to 250 million litres per day.

“At the current rate of sediment buildup, a sandbar will completely block the intake point within two to four years, putting Dhaka’s water supply at risk.

“No comprehensive study was conducted on the river’s flow and sedimentation before this project was implemented. The Padma-Jasholdia project, initiated by Taqsem A Khan, was essentially a scheme for misappropriation,” the official alleged.

TAQSEM ERA ENDS AT WASA

During his tenure as Dhaka WASA’s managing director, Taqsem repeatedly faced allegations of irregularities and corruption, with frequent calls for his resignation or removal.

However, he remained in office until the fall of the Awami League government, which marked the end of his tenure at WASA.

Taqsem was appointed as WASA’s MD in 2009 under the Awami League administration and continued for seven consecutive terms.

Following the change of power on Aug 5, 2024, he resigned on Aug 15.

Asked whether a proper feasibility study had been conducted before the Padma-Jasholdia project began, current WASA MD Fazlur Rahman said: “I cannot confirm this at the moment. A feasibility study must have been conducted; otherwise, such a large project would not have been undertaken.”