Water: What price to pay?
The government increased with effect from July 1, Dwasa Water Tariff for domestic purposes from Tk 5.75 per 1000 litre to Tk 6.04, an increase by 5%. The Tariff also increases from Tk 19.15 to Tk 20.11 per 1000 litre for commercial and industrial consumers. Although it was presumed that the price hike would be in the level of 30%, this has now been lowered and is done in line with DWASA regulations, still maintaining the cheapest water rate in the world.
Apparently, this gives an impression that the decision is very much pro-people and in line with the commitments of the newly-elected government to offer better and quality services and products to the city dwellers. How much of this is really true? We need to take a practical look into.
It is said that Dhaka city now has a population of 10-12 million of which around 40% are poor i.e. about 4.8 million living mostly in the slums and fringes and are mostly without DWASA water services. As per a recent information from a Talk Show in the TV Channel ATN on the subject, DWASA's present capacity is meeting the water needs of 60% of its clients which, calculated on the figure of 60% of Dhaka's population (7.2 million) comes to around 4.32 million people.
Worst of all, the recent water crises in the city have turned people shouting for more capacity of DWASA which means more investments. Projects are also being undertaken for replacement of old water pipes (believed to have leakage and cause contamination) of the city that is anticipated to cost about Tk 1400 crore! And, to remember, these will be loan money from World Bank, Asian Development Bank and others that will be adding new burden on the shoulders of this poor country. All these lead one to ask whether facing challenging situations at almost regular intervals, have we not learnt anything to help ourselves?
What is wrong with the water supply system of Dhaka city? Why are such great amounts of money required for the services of a handful? Don't we have any other means to help ourselves? And most importantly, are those in Dhaka city who enjoy the DWASA water supply, so poor that they need to be fed with the cheapest water in the world?
If we believe in the statistics of DWASA, against a total demand of 2100 million litres in Dhaka city and Narayanganj town, DWASA is supplying 1917 million litres but has a capacity of producing 2063 million litres per day. That means presently 146 million litres per day or not being produced because of a range of issues that are mostly technical in nature. However considering the recent water shortage and the huge noise that was made, one really tends to question the accuracy of these figures. Take for example the case of the around 40% fringe and slum dwellers of the city who are mostly out of DWASA water supply, how can one believe that 91% of the so-called clients of DWASA are covered by its supply?
According to the consumers' charter of DWASA, water supply is also an eligibility and not a luxury for the poor people of the city. If we believe in the data provided by DWASA regarding its present water supply, it means that per capita water supply in Dhaka and Narayanganj has reached almost 160 litres per day including the 40% that are without any legal DWASA water connection and exactly are crying for a meager 20 litres per day!
With that intent, here are some suggestions that might help if taken seriously by the decision-makers:
* According to DWASA's own information, there is a system loss of 34.81% (2008-2009). This by all means, needs to be reduced substantially and quickly, which we believe, with some sincerity, DWASA is capable of doing.
* DWASA needs to introduce the system of 'Progressive Tariff' for the water it supplies: Just like we have in case of Power, there should be a system where rates will vary according to the amounts consumed. After a relatively cheaper rate for an initial amount, this should go up as the amount of water consumed goes up. This will have a two-fold benefit: First, as the rates for higher amount will be higher, it will make the consumers more conscious about the use of water. This will save substantial amount of water which can be diverted to those presently suffering from water shortage. Secondly, this will bring additional revenue for DWASA for the same amount of water supplied.
* Steps need to be taken to introduce a 'safety-net' for the poorer sections of the population. This is not only because of limitations in their ability to pay at higher rates but also because in slum and fringe areas, number of households using water from same source is considerable.
* The city authorities like DWASA, RAJUK, Dhaka City Corporation should undertake efforts to create awareness among the dwellers to introduce sanitary facilities having 'normal' and 'limited quantity' devices for use of flush water. This will ensure that for urination and other small needs, normal flushing that spills 4-5 litres of water is not used and will save a lot of water.
* City dwellers need to stop using supply water for car wash and or gardening. For this, RAJUK and all Private Developers should be asked to strictly ensure that all plans for new construction of buildings have the provision for 'Rain Water Harvesting Reservoir' in their undertakings. This will enable, at least during the rainy season, the use of rain water for such purposes and even for domestic purposes when required.
* Last but not the least, DWASA needs to understand that the groundwater extraction has already reached an alarming stage it is said that every year, the level in Dhaka city is going down by 5-6 m which can very well bring massive disaster in the near future. This has to be changed to surface water which means relying more on the neighbouring rivers. But their present condition prevents that. The city dwellers feel that in stopping the pollution of the Dhaka rivers, along with the relevant Ministries, Departments, Industries, DWASA also needs to come forward and participate in this movement.
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