To address the water demands of the economic zones being established in the coastal regions, the Bangladesh Economic Zones Authority (BEZA) intends to establish desalination facilities.
“The Beza has developed short, medium, and long-term plans for water supply in economic zones, including one to collect water from CETP. We’ve a plan to set up desalination plants in the future,” Shaikh Yusuf Harun, its executive chairman, told a conference on water and wastewater solutions in the capital.
The majority of the zones, including the Chinese Industrial and Economic Zone, the Indian Economic Zone, Sabrang Tourism Park, Moheshkhali EZ, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Shilpa Nagar (BSMSN), and Sabrang Tourism Park, are situated next to the Bay of Bengal, which presents substantial issues for water management.
“In any other country, providing water to investors has emerged as a critical concern,” stated the chairman of Beza.
Harun cited a study to estimate that by 2040, the BSMSN’s demand will require 1,000 MLD (million litres per day) of water.
Beza is currently supplying 50 MLD of water through surface water treatment plants and deep tube wells; two treatment plants will supply an additional 100 MLD of water.
Of the plants, construction on one is underway, and the project on the other is under process, he noted.
According to Harun, they have a grand plan to provide the BSMSN with an additional 500 MLD from the Meghna and Dakatia river confluence.
As stated by Pacific DuPont Water Solution’s regional marketing manager Nivedita Bose, “Water is a critical vector for nearly all industries, directly impacting both production uptime and profitability.”
According to her, the manufacturing sector is responsible for 16 per cent of the water demand, and by 2030, that percentage might rise to 22 per cent.
Among those who spoke at the event was Enamul Habib, CEO and managing director of Water Technology Bangladesh.