Land crisis hampers water ATM expansion

The much-anticipated Water ATM service was launched in Chattogram, back in 2020. But the service couldn't be expanded due to land constraints, said the relevant authorities.

First launched in Khulshi Road-1 area of Chattogram on January 1, 2020, water ATM booths were set up at five more places in the city -- at Firoj Shah Colony, Wasa Intersection, Halishahar Nayabazar, Halishahar Block A and Sadarghat Saheb Bazar areas.

Residents can buy drinking water at a cost of Tk 0.60 per litre from these places, which is much cheaper than the market price as one litre is sold between Tk 15 and Tk 20 in shops.

The water pipeline of the booth is connected to that of Wasa. The company has set up water purification instruments in the booth. The whole process is operated and controlled through a computerised system, said CWasa officials.

Chattogram Wasa took the project in 2019, aiming to provide fresh water at a minimal rate. The initial plan was to set up 100 water ATMs. A memorandum of understanding was also signed with US-based Drinkwell in this regard.

Photo: Collected

However, due to space constraints, such booths were only placed in six areas, meaning the majority of the city still has freshwater crisis.

Asked, why the service could not be expanded in two years, AKM Fazlullah, managing director of CWasa, said, "We have set up six ATM booths on our own land in different areas but we could not go for expansion as we do not have land in other areas," he said.

"Our partners (Drinkwell) in this project will immediately apply to Chattogram City Corporation, asking it to provide land to set up ATM booths throughout the city."

Asked about the purity of the water supplied through ATM service, Fazlullah said, "The ATM booth is connected to main Wasa pipeline, so the water is supposed to be safe for drinking. But we cannot give 100 percent assurance as in some areas Wasa pipelines get damaged at times."

"Besides, there are purifying machines inside the ATM booths, so the water there gets purified further," he added.

Contacted, Manjur Alam, area manager of Drinkwell Chattogram, said a meeting would be held in Dhaka on November 12 in presence of the LGRD minister, CCC mayor and CWasa officials and Drinkwell.

"The land issue would be discussed in the meeting," he added.

CCC Mayor Rezaul Karim Chowdhury could not be contacted for comments.