Rajshahi WASA explained

Agency Name:Rajshahi Water Supply and Sewerage Authority
Native Name A:রাজশাহী পানি সরবরাহ ও পয়ঃনিষ্কাশন কর্তৃপক্ষ
Jurisdiction:Government of Bangladesh
Headquarters:Wasa Bhavan, Shalbagan, Rajshahi
Parent Department:Ministry of Local Government, Rural Development and Co-operatives
Parent Agency:Water Supply and Sewerage Authority
Chief1 Name:Md. Zakir Hossain
Chief1 Position:Managing Director

Rajshahi Water Supply and Sewerage Authority, commonly known as Rajshahi WASA or RWASA is a Bangladesh government service agency under the Ministry of Local Government, Rural Development and Co-operatives responsible for providing water and sewerage facilities to residents of Rajshahi.[1]

History

The first water supply system in Rajshahi was installed in 1937 under the municipality corporation management.[2]

Rajshahi WASA started operations on 10 March 2011.

The government of Bangladesh signed an agreement with China to finance the building of a surface water purification plant for Rajshahi WASA in 2014.[3] The project was significantly delayed and the government identified it as a priority for 2018.[4]

In October 2018, the Executive Committee of the National Economic Council approved 40.65 billion taka for the construction of a water purifying plant that will have a 200 million liter of water per day.[5] The government sought a loan of US$276 million from China to build the plant for WASA in 2020.[6] I eventually signed an agreement with a Chinese company to build the purification plant.[7]

Rajshahi WASA built water booths financed by Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit.[8] The booths allow access to clean water to consumers and are managed by a US based nonprofit, Drinkwell.

Rajshahi WASA tripped their rates for water on 1 February 2022 as per decision of Managing Director Md Zakir Hossain.[9] [10] This decision faced criticism based on the poor quality water supplied by the agency.[11] It signed an agreement with Rajshahi Krishi Unnayan Bank so that its customers can pay their bills at the bank.[12]

Notes and References

  1. News: bn:রাজশাহী ওয়াসার নতুন পানির মূল্য কার্যকর হচ্ছে . https://www.newagebd.net/article/161611/new-water-price-of-rajshahi-wasa-comes-into-effect . New Water Price of Rajshahi WASA comes into effect. New Age . bn . 2 February 2022.
  2. Web site: At a glance . 24 July 2022 . Rajshahi WASA.
  3. News: 2014-06-11 . MoU signed for building tunnel under Karnaphuli . 2022-07-24 . The Daily Star . en.
  4. News: Ahmad . Reaz . Byron . Rejaul Karim . 2017-11-15 . China-Funded Projects: Dhaka seeks to speed up deals . 2022-07-24 . The Daily Star . en.
  5. News: 2018-10-12 . Ecnec's flurry of project approval continues . 2022-07-24 . The Daily Star . en.
  6. News: Byron . Rejaul Karim . Chakma . Jagaran . 2020-09-23 . Chinese loan deals for four projects hopefully this year . 2022-07-24 . The Daily Star . en.
  7. News: 2021-05-20 . Rajshahi Wasa starts expanding water supply network to marginal communities . 2022-07-24 . Dhaka Tribune.
  8. News: Drinking water booths at Rajshahi too . 2022-07-24 . Prothom Alo . en.
  9. News: 2022-02-01 . Rajshahi WASA triples water tariff from today . 2022-07-24 . The Daily Star . en.
  10. News: 2022-02-02 . Rajshahi Wasa triples water tariff . 2022-07-24 . The Daily Star . en.
  11. News: New water price of Rajshahi WASA comes into effect . 2022-07-24 . New Age . en.
  12. News: RAKUB, Rajshahi WASA ink deal Daily Sun . 2022-07-24 . Daily Sun . en.