More than 424 government and private discharge points release around 330,000kg of liquid and solid waste into the Buriganga, Turag, Balu and Shitalakkhya rivers around Dhaka every day, according to a Bangladesh Inland Water Transport Authority (BIWTA) survey.
The survey identified untreated industrial effluent, sewage, household waste, plastic, oil, burnt lubricants and other solid waste among the major pollutants entering the rivers.
Of the 424 identified discharge points, 244 are linked to privately owned factories and industrial establishments. Industries account for nearly 60% of the pollution, while around 30% enters the rivers through drainage systems operated by city corporations, Dhaka WASA and local government bodies. Household and other sources account for the remaining 10%.
Industries remain the largest pollution source
A BIWTA action plan says nearly 7,000 small and large industrial establishments operate along the rivers around Dhaka, with around 99% reportedly lacking effluent treatment plants.
Industrial establishments account for around 60% of the pollution, according to the action plan. Other sources include brick kilns, polythene, dockyards, burnt engine oil, vessels and household waste.
Chemical industries and tanneries pose particular risks because their wastewater can contain toxic chemicals, experts said.
The survey identified 66 WASA drains directly connected to the Buriganga and Turag. Of these, 57 discharge into the Buriganga and nine into the Turag.
Dhaka South City Corporation has 21 identified drains, including 19 connected to the Buriganga and two to the Shitalakkhya. Dhaka North City Corporation has 16, with one connected to the Buriganga and 15 to the Turag.
Narayanganj City Corporation has 37 drains discharging into the Shitalakkhya, while four Gazipur City Corporation drains discharge into the Turag. Two drains from Postogola Cantonment are connected to the Buriganga.
Local government bodies also contribute to the pollution through a number of drains connected to the surrounding rivers. A Bangladesh Water Development Board drain has also been identified as a pollution source in the Turag.
Rivers remain severely polluted
The Buriganga remains one of the most severely affected waterways around Dhaka. Its water has lost its natural colour in many stretches, while dissolved oxygen levels have at times approached zero. Around 5mg per litre is generally considered necessary to sustain fish and other aquatic organisms.
Studies have also detected antibiotic residues in Buriganga water, including amoxicillin, penicillin, ciprofloxacin and azithromycin. Experts have warned that untreated pharmaceutical and healthcare waste entering drainage systems could contribute to antimicrobial resistance.
Black oil, burnt lubricants and other petroleum-based waste from vessels are also released into the rivers. Markets and riverside settlements contribute rotten vegetables, fruit, polythene, plastic and food waste.
Despite years of dredging, beautification, eviction drives and other restoration efforts, pollution remains a major problem in the rivers surrounding Dhaka.
Government steps up efforts
The latest government initiative follows a series of meetings, research and field inspections focused on improving the condition of the rivers around the capital.
A meeting on August 2 discussed measures to improve the water quality and environmental condition of the Buriganga, Turag and other surrounding rivers. A research report published on August 4 identified pollution sources and outlined recommendations for addressing them.
A follow-up meeting was held on August 6 to discuss the findings and determine responsibilities among relevant agencies.
On August 26, committee members conducted a field visit to assess the condition of the rivers. The delegation included senior government officials and representatives of relevant agencies.
The committee was scheduled to meet again on September 1 to review the field inspection findings, assess the latest situation and determine further steps.
Calls for stronger action
Environmental activist and architect Iqbal Habib identified Dhaka WASA's sewage and drainage system as one of the major sources of pollution.
He said sewage is being discharged into rivers through drains and noted that the Dasherkandi Sewage Treatment Plant has been constructed, while questions remain over its effective use and the extent of the city's sewage network connected to treatment facilities.
Habib said treatment plants alone would not solve the problem and called for the city's canals to be reconnected with surrounding rivers alongside a redesign of the drainage and sewage system.
Shipping Ministry Secretary Md Zakaria said the survey was conducted through field inspections and identified 424 sources from which polluted liquid waste is entering rivers every day.
He said relevant authorities had been notified and that further discussions would be held on measures against the identified sources.
Experts have called for the identified outlets to be mapped, their owners identified, waste discharge monitored and industries required to operate functional effluent treatment plants.
They also stressed the need for clearer accountability among the Department of Environment, WASA, city corporations, BIWTA, the Bangladesh Water Development Board and local government bodies.
Without stopping the identified sources of pollution, environmentalists say, efforts to clean Dhaka's rivers are unlikely to provide lasting results.
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