Local Government, Rural Development and Cooperatives (LGRD) Minister Md Tazul Islam came up with the information on Sunday while talking after an online meeting with Mikael Hemniti Winther, Denmark’s Ambassador to Bangladesh.

DWASA has taken a project under the Water Treatment Plant project (phase-1). The 141-kilometre long project cost will cost Tk 633 crore.

Once the project is implemented, DWASA will be able to meet the increased demand for drinking water in Dhaka City, Old Dhaka, Dhanmondi, Mohammadpur and its surrounding areas, said the Minister.

The plant has a capacity of purifying 450 million litres of water daily and the water will be supplied after installing new line with the reformation of distribution line, he said.

Terming the project as profitable one, the Minister said it will be implemented by the Danish government and it will not only supply drinking water to city residents but also generate income.

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Besides, the government has taken an initiative to set up a mini fire station in a bid to extinguish the fire in a short time and avoiding loss of lives and assets. The Danish government also expressed keenness to stand beside Bangladesh while building the mini fire stations, he said.

A World Bank report said over 75 million people of Bangladesh drink unsafe water.

The report noted that 41 percent water sources contain harmful bacteria and 13 percent water contains arsenic. It said about 80 percent water supplied through pipelines contains harmful bacteria.

Later, the High Court ordered the authorities concerned to form a committee to test Dhaka Wasa water.

Also read: HC wants Wasa explanation over contaminated water

It asked the LGRD and Cooperatives Ministry to file a report within May 15 after fixing the expenditure required to test water last year.