Develop a sustainable system to meet city water demand

"82 percent of Dhaka Wasa water is extracted from the underground and only 18 percent derived from surface water sources. Because of over extraction, ground water table is rapidly falling down, which is not at all environment friendly," he said.

He was speaking as chief guest at the inauguration of "Stakeholders Consultation Workshop for Dhaka Water Supply Policy" jointly organised by Dhaka Wasa and Asian Development Bank (ADB) at Local Government and Engineering Department (LGED) auditorium.

He said Dhaka Wasa is currently meeting 80 percent of total demand of water in the capital.

Bhuiyan said the problems associated with urbanisation are becoming more prevalent in Bangladesh.

"Especially, the service providers are confronting with the important tasks of providing safe water and sewerage facility in the mega cities like Dhaka. Dhaka Wasa is trying its best to meet the rapidly increasing demand of water," he said.

A long-term policy and planning should be adopted through which the conjunctive use of water resources is ensured, he said.

Presided over by LGRD secretary AHM Abul Kashem, the meeting was also addressed by State Minister for LGRD Ziaul Haque Zia, ADB representatives Shakeel Ahmed Khan and Hua Du. and managing director of Dhaka Wasa Dr Kazi Ali Azam.