HC wants test report of Wasa water in 34 areas

The High Court has directed the government to test the Wasa supply water of 34 areas in Buet and Dhaka University laboratories.

It has also directed the Wasa to pay Tk 5,000 to the committee formed by Local Government and Rural Development ministry for the test.

The committee has been ordered to submit its report before the court by July 2.

According to the order, the committee will have to collect and test samples of surface water from Buriganga and Shitalakkhya rivers and water from groundwater sources of the rivers.

Besides, the committee will have to collect and examine samples from 10 vulnerable areas, 10 other random areas, and 10 other areas.

The HC bench of Justice JBM Hassan and Justice Khairul Alam passed the order while hearing a writ petition filed by Supreme Court lawyer advocate Tanvir Ahmed.

During the hearing, Prof Sabita Rizwana Rahman, head of the Micro-Biology department of DU appeared before the HC bench as per it May 16 order.

She told the court the test report may vary in different seasons.

WHAT DID THE REPORT SAY?

Dhaka Wasa earlier on May 16, revealed that its water is polluted in 57 city areas because of broken-down supply lines.

The official water supplier in the city made the admission in a report submitted before the High Court.

The local government and rural development ministry submitted the report on behalf of Wasa, as per the court’s order on Monday.

The Wasa sent the report, based on consumers’ allegations, to the ministry the same day.

The report said the Wasa would test the water of those areas at the laboratories of Dhaka University, Buet, and icddr,b.