The World Bank will provide $370 million in financing to mitigate water pollution and improve sanitation systems in Dhaka and its surrounding areas.

According to a press release issued by the World Bank's Dhaka office on Wednesday (February 11), the funding was approved during a meeting of the Board of Executive Directors at the World Bank headquarters in Washington, D.C.

Under the "Metro Dhaka Water Security and Resilience" program, the capacity of various city corporations and Dhaka WASA will be enhanced. The primary goal is to reduce pollution in rivers and canals while restoring their navigability and natural flow.

The project is expected to provide improved sanitation facilities to approximately 550,000 people and advanced waste management services to 500,000 residents, prioritizing underserved and highly polluted areas.

A Crisis of Urbanization
Abdoulaye Seck (referenced as Jean Pesme in some contexts), the World Bank Country Director for Bangladesh and Bhutan, noted that Dhaka’s water bodies are a lifeline for millions. However, rapid and unplanned urbanization has collapsed waste management systems, adversely affecting public health and the economy. This project aims to establish an institutional framework to restore the health of Dhaka’s rivers and canals.

The World Bank report highlights a grim reality:

• Only 20% of Dhaka residents are covered by a piped sewerage system.
• More than 80% of untreated sewage is discharged directly into the city's water bodies and rivers.
• Over half of Dhaka’s canals have either disappeared or been filled with waste.

Impact on Industry and Health
The report further notes that 80% of the country’s export-oriented garment factories are located in and around Dhaka. Approximately 7,000 factories dump 2,400 million liters of untreated waste into rivers daily, leading to a rise in skin diseases, diarrhea, and neurological issues. The project will involve the private sector to improve industrial Effluent Treatment Plants (ETPs) and promote water recycling.

Future Strategy
Harsh Goyal, Senior Water Specialist and Task Team Leader at the World Bank, stated that this program is part of a long-term plan.

• Initial Phase: Work will begin in specific areas of Dhaka and Narayanganj.
• Technology: Implementation of "digital real-time monitoring" and water testing.
• Infrastructure: Modernizing recycling, improving primary waste collection, and launching public awareness campaigns to stop the direct dumping of waste into drains and rivers.