Dhaka: Officials and employees of Dhaka WASA in collusion with political actors and brokers informally control the water supply of Dhaka WASA, says a new TIB study.

They study reveals that work orders are changed and payment of additional work is approved in Dhaka Wasa violating the existing rules, while Dhaka WASA authorities allegedly recruit staff without giving advertisements in newspapers.

The findings of the baseline study titled, ‘Integrity in Water Management of Bangladesh: Present Perspective and Development Potential’ was revealed at a press conference organised jointly by Transparency International Bangladesh (TIB) and Bangladesh Water Integrity Network (BAWIN) at TIB office in the capital on Sunday.  

Professor Syed Hafizur Rahman and Prof Sheikh Tawhidul Islam of Jahangirnagar University, who jointly conducted the baseline survey on Bangladesh’s water sector, presented the study findings.

Speaking at the press conference, TIB executive director Iftekharuzzaman said as per clients’ view, Dhaka WASA is not capable of providing its service to all areas of the city, while area-based inequality is found in its service.

He said area-based syndicate along with brokers and WASA employees are controlling water supply in the capital.  

Finding that Dhaka WASA reportedly supplies low-quality (dirty) water, the study says a section of WASA officials is involved in grabbing WASA land.

Under the study, the activities of Dhaka WASA were examined in detail in order to capture water integrity issues in city corporation area contexts.  

Lack of capacity to deliver water supply against demand, infringement of informal, unauthorised entities in different segments of water distribution processes, limited public participation in decision making processes, absence of necessary principles for effective water governance such as transparency, accountability, legitimacy and legality, equity and inclusiveness were identified as the major challenges for Dhaka WASA.  

Activities of Bangladesh Water Development Board (BWDB) were also analysed under the study for understanding rural water integrity context.

The study says there are allegations that some BWDB staff are involved in financial corruption in water management. And as the graft suspects could not be punished, governance in BWDB is yet to be ensured.  

TIB deputy executive director Sumaiya Khair was also present at the press conference.