亚开行-穷人用水——达卡水务公司的转型挑战（英）-2021.11-27页_6mb

Summary: Water for the Poor – Dhaka’s Water Utilities Turnaround Challenge

Core Content

This case study explores the challenges and transformative efforts of the Dhaka Water Supply and Sewerage Authority (DWASA) in addressing the urban water supply crisis in Dhaka, Bangladesh. It highlights the critical role of the Asian Development Bank (ADB) and other international development partners in supporting institutional, operational, and managerial reforms to improve water services for the poor and marginalized communities.

Main Issues

Dhaka, one of the most densely populated cities in the world, faced a severe water crisis due to:

• Overreliance on groundwater, which was rapidly depleting and leading to contamination and water shortages.
• Inadequate water supply infrastructure, with a high rate of water loss (nonrevenue water - NRW) due to leaks, theft, and outdated meters.
• Poor water quality, caused by rusty pipes, low pressure, and lack of treatment facilities.
• Exclusion of slum neighborhoods from the formal water supply network, which left millions without access to clean water.
• Financial and managerial inefficiencies, including low revenue collection, outdated accounting systems, and high staff turnover.

Key Challenges

DWASA, as the primary authority for water supply in Dhaka, had six major problems:

1. Insufficient water supply due to declining groundwater levels and lack of surface water treatment facilities.
2. Low-quality distribution network with high NRW rates and unreliable service.
3. Contaminated water supply from leaking pipes and backflow due to suction pumps.
4. Exclusion of slum areas from the formal water supply system, leading to health and social crises.
5. Financial unsustainability due to low revenue and high operational costs.
6. Poor governance and management influenced by political interference and lack of transparency.

ADB’s Role and Approach

ADB, as a regional development bank, played a crucial role in the reform process by:

• Designing a comprehensive turnaround program with a focus on inclusivity and technical innovation.
• Establishing a $212.7 million financing agreement in 2007, involving multiple development partners and the Bangladesh government.
• Introducing performance-based funding, which tied disbursements to specific milestones such as NRW reduction.
• Supporting institutional reforms, including decentralization of local water utilities, financial autonomy, and anti-corruption measures.
• Promoting the use of trenchless technology to rehabilitate underground infrastructure with minimal disruption.
• Implementing the District Metered Area (DMA) approach, which improved water monitoring, reduced losses, and enhanced service delivery.

Technical Innovations

ADB supported the use of DMA and trenchless technology to:

• Break down the city into manageable zones, enabling localized monitoring and management of water supply.
• Install digital water meters and improve billing systems to increase revenue and reduce NRW.
• Rehabilitate distribution networks, increasing pipe length and eliminating illegal connections.
• Construct a 500-million-liters-per-day water treatment plant at Saidabad to provide treated surface water.
• Revamp chlorination and testing facilities to ensure water quality and safety.

Pilot Project Success

The Manikdi pilot project (2006–2007) demonstrated the effectiveness of the DMA approach and trenchless technology. Key outcomes included:

• Reduction of NRW from 53% to 14%.
• Increase in water pressure and availability.
• Elimination of illegal connections and improvement in metering.
• 24/7 water access for residents in the pilot area.
• Valuable insights into household demand, tariff collection, and social mobilization strategies.

Broader Implications

The case highlights the importance of inclusive urban development and technical innovation in addressing water supply challenges in rapidly growing cities. It also underscores the need for collaborative partnerships between governments and international agencies to achieve sustainable and equitable outcomes.

Conclusion

The Dhaka Water Supply Sector Development Program (DWSSDP) aimed to transform water services in Bangladesh, particularly for the poor. By integrating institutional reforms with infrastructure investments and leveraging innovative technologies, ADB and its partners sought to create a sustainable and efficient water supply system. The pilot project in Manikdi provided a successful model for scaling up these reforms to other slum areas, demonstrating the potential of a comprehensive, inclusive, and technically sound approach to urban water management.