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Dhaka Water Supply and Sewerage Authority

autonomous · verified (verified 2026-05-17)

Profile

Head
Aminul Islam
Role
Managing Director
Annual budget
—
Staff
—
Established
1963
Legal basis
East Pakistan Water and Sewerage Authority Ordinance No. XIX of 1963; reorganised under the Dhaka WASA Act, 1996

DWASA is co-implementing the $370 million World Bank Metro Dhaka Water Security and Resilience Program (P506770, approved February 10, 2026) for sewerage, sanitation and institutional reform over FY26-FY31; current residential water tariff is Tk 15.18 per 1,000 litres (with a 10% hike effective July 1, 2024 representing the 16th tariff increase in 16 years); Dasherkandi STP (500 MLD, South Asia's largest) is operational but only ~20% of Dhaka's sewage is currently treated; MD Aminul Islam (former secretary, 1985 BCS) took charge March 10, 2026 on a one-year contract following the abrupt resignation and criminal investigation of predecessor Abdus Salam Bepari.

Recent activity

Provenance & notes

DWASA was established November 7, 1963 under East Pakistan Water and Sewerage Authority Ordinance No. XIX; reorganised as a service-oriented commercial autonomous body under Dhaka WASA Act, 1996. Coverage expanded to Narayanganj in 1990. Operates 11 zones (10 Dhaka, 1 Narayanganj) across approximately 360 sq km serving over 12 million people. Three rapid MD changes in the 90-day window: (1) Abdus Salam Bepari (appointed November 11, 2025) resigned March 8, 2026 amid CID money laundering probe; (2) Moniruzzaman held temporary charge March 9, 2026; (3) Aminul Islam formally appointed March 10, 2026 on a one-year contract. Water tariff: 10% hike effective July 1, 2024 set domestic rate at Tk 15.18 per 1,000 litres (the 16th increase in 16 years); DWASA is legally permitted to raise tariffs by up to 5% annually for inflation adjustment. World Bank P506770 figure: the press release cites $370 million WB lending; the full program document (P506770) shows WB contribution of $375 million with a $610 million total program cost -- the $370 million figure is the rounded headline in the February 10, 2026 press release. DWASA role under P506770 focuses on sewerage and institutional reform; implementation coordinated by Local Government Division alongside Dhaka North City Corporation, Dhaka South City Corporation, and Narayanganj City Corporation. Dasherkandi STP (500 MLD, largest in South Asia) is operational but treated capacity covers only approximately 20% of Dhaka's total sewage load; Pagla STP is the legacy plant. Staff count not reliably sourced; annual_budget_bdt not published in accessible official documents -- not included to avoid unverified figures. All events verified against 2+ primary sources.

Sources