Water Supply and Sanitation in Bangladesh - Water Use

Water Use

Only about 15 km³ annually, or about 1% of total water resources, is being withdrawn for human use. Out of the total withdrawals, 86% is for agriculture, 12% for domestic water supply and 2% for industry. It is predicted that Bangladesh's population will increase from 129 million people in 2000 to 181 million by 2025 and 224 million by 2050, accompanied by an increased demand for water.

Piped water supply, as estimated by the utility, was about 100 liter per capita per day in Dhaka in 2007 for those with access to piped water supply. This amount is slightly less than per capita water use in Germany. Given the low share of metering, estimates of per capita water use are not reliable. In a sample of 11 cities, 8 did not have any customer metering at all. In Dhaka and Chittagong, 70 and 86 percent of customers were metered. In the city of Rajshahi, which has no metering, the municipal utility estimated per capita water use at 98 liter per capita per day. However, a customer satisfaction survey carried out together with the NGO Forum on Drinking Water Supply and Sanitation carried out among 600 respondents in 2008 found that the average was only 78 liter. Water use varied significantly depending on income, with the poor consuming 43 liters and the poorest only 28 liter. The survey also showed that half the respondents drank water straight from the tap without filtering or boling it, while 27% rated the water quality as poor. The estimated amount of water consumed varies significantly between cities. For example, in 2006-07 it was estimated at more than 250 liter in Manikganj, but at only 33 liter in Chapai Nawabganj and Gazipur. The average for 11 cities was 88 liter.