81309069-River water quality monitoring and database management system establishment

The Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH has been working in Bangladesh since 1972. In recent years, Bangladesh has generated significant economic growth and considerably reduced its level of poverty. However, it still faces environmental and social challenges. More and more people are moving to its towns and cities, which are straining under the pressure of this rapid urbanisation. The country is also feeling the impact of climate change. Floods and cyclones are occurring more frequently and with increasing severity. On top of this, climate change and the overuse of ecosystems are leading to the loss of biodiversity and the degradation of biotopes in Bangladesh. Pressure on resources from land and sea is growing. Currently, GIZ is working in Bangladesh on behalf of the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development and the European Union (EU). The priority areas of cooperation are: energy, climate and urban development; Sustainable economic development, education and employment and Conserving biodiversity. The project "Strengthening Institutions for Climate Change Adapted Water Resources Management in Dhaka", which is commissioned by the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) is supporting its partners in improving the institutional and technical foundations to ensure water quality in the Meghna River. Dhaka's primary source of drinking water is groundwater, but this resource is at risk due to overextraction and climate change effects. This puts supply security at risk, particularly for vulnerable and margin communities. In addition, the rivers surrounding Dhaka are subject to significant pollution from urban and industrial sources. The main contributing factors to this are rapid urbanization, unplanned construction without public consultation, swift industrial growth and insufficient capacity and collaboration among authorities to monitor water quality and enforce environmental regulations. The lack of incentives and capabilities in industries to develop and execute pollution reduction strategies further exacerbates the problem. To ensure a safe drinking-water supply for Dhaka's residents in the long term that also pays heed to environmental factors, the Bangladesh government is working to transition the city's water supply from groundwater to surface water as a strategic response to climate change. This plan involves sourcing water from the Meghna River, located outside Dhaka, and then channeling it to the Saidabad III drinking water treatment facility for treatment. Ensuring the water quality of the Meghna River is a crucial aspect for the success of this initiative. To support its partners in improving the institutional and technical foundations to ensure water quality in the Meghna River, the project implements the following activities: Establishing a coordination process to align measures to protect the quality of water in the Meghna River in line with the Meghna River master plan. Setting up an integrated water quality monitoring system to improve the institutional capabilities required to maintain suitable water quality and ensure safe water supply. Enhancing the capacities of large-scale industries and SMEs to minimise water pollution.