Ctg WASA, WaterAid sign deal to set up 100 water ATMs

Chattogram WASA and WaterAid Bangladesh on Wednesday signed an agreement to set up 100 ATM booths in Chattogram city to ensure safe drinking water facilities for low-income people and water-scarce areas.

Chattogram WASA Managing Director Engineer Selim Md Jane Alam and WaterAid Bangladesh Country Director Azman Ahmed Chowdhury signed the agreement on behalf of their respective organisations.

Under this pilot project, 100 water ATM booths will be set up. Chattogram WASA will provide land for ATM booths during the project period and WaterAid will finance all capital equipment.

According to the agreement, WaterAid will evaluate the water quality of the Chattogram WASA pump or supply line, identify the need for additional water treatment system and take measures as per the water quality report.

Speaking at the event, WASA Managing Director Engineer Selim Md Jane Alam said, "Water ATM booth is not just a water supply system. It is an effective initiative to provide safe water to the places where people need it.”

“This initiative will bring real benefits, especially for people who spend extra money and time on water every day,” he added.

Chattogram WASA Deputy Managing Director (DMD-Finance) Sharmin Akhter, DMD (Administration) Sharmin Alam, DMD (Engineering) Bishnu Kumar Sarker, Secretary Shahida Fatema Chowdhury, Commercial Manager Shazia Parveen, Chief Engineer Maksud Alam, Chief Revenue Officer Rumon Dey, WaterAid Bangladesh Programme and Policy Advocacy Director Partha Hefaz Sheikh, Technical Director Md Tahmidul Islam, Zonal Lead Babul Bala and other concerned officials were present on the occasion among others.