Dhaka: The Asian Development Bank (ADB) and the Government of Bangladesh have entered into agreements for a $150 million loan and a $4 million grant aimed at expanding water supply services for unserved residents in Khulna city. This initiative also seeks to address the issue of ground-source water salinity, ensuring a sustainable piped water supply during the dry season.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, the agreements were signed by Md. Shahriar Kader Siddiky, Secretary of the Economic Relations Division (ERD), and Hoe Yun Jeong, Country Director of ADB, during a ceremony at the ERD offices in Dhaka. Hoe Yun Jeong highlighted the project’s role in advancing Khulna city’s transition to surface water by introducing climate-resilient and sustainable solutions, ultimately providing 1.78 million people with a reliable and continuous drinking water supply. The project will also upgrade existing infrastructure and enhance the operations of the Khulna Water Supply and Sewerage Authority (KWASA).
The Khulna Water Supply Project (Phase 2) aims to expand piped water services to unserved communities through a scalable system designed to meet demand until 2050, as mentioned in an ADB press release. The project will implement climate-resilient and sustainable solutions to combat salinity in source water during the dry season. Key initiatives include adopting smart water supply management, expanding supervisory control and data acquisition (SCADA) systems, and extending district metering areas to effectively reduce non-revenue water.
Moreover, the project will strengthen the institutional capacity and operational efficiency of KWASA. A $4 million technical assistance grant from the Urban Resilience Trust Fund under the Urban Financing Partnership Facility will support a comprehensive study on artificial recharge and groundwater management to further address source water salinity challenges in Khulna city.
ADB is a leading multilateral development bank focused on inclusive, resilient, and sustainable growth across Asia and the Pacific. Established in 1966, ADB works with its 69 members, including 50 from the region, to tackle complex challenges through innovative financial tools and strategic partnerships.