Overview of the DWASA Dhaka Water Supply Project
This article analyzes the presentation delivered by DWASA, the Dhaka Water Supply and Sewerage Authority, at Infrastructure Roadshow 2025. DWASA is the core public utility responsible for water and sewerage services for roughly 21 million people across the Greater Dhaka metropolitan area.
Dhaka is one of the world's fastest-growing megacities, yet water infrastructure has not expanded at the same pace as population growth. Over 2025-2035, DWASA is targeting more than $8 billion in investment to raise water service coverage from 85% to 98%, expand wastewater treatment from 25% to 60%, and reduce non-revenue water from 30% to 15%.
Status of Major Projects
The DWASA presentation outlined a broad project portfolio that includes large-scale water treatment plant construction, distribution network expansion, wastewater treatment facilities, non-revenue water reduction, and smart water management systems. With more than a dozen projects either under implementation or in preparation, the pipeline offers a wide range of entry points for Korean companies.
| Project | Type | Scale | Budget | Funding | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Saidabad Water Treatment Plant Phase 3 | Water treatment plant | 500,000 m3/day | $1.5B | JICA | Under construction |
| Jashaldia Water Treatment Plant | New water plant | 300,000 m3/day | $800M | ADB | Under design |
| Dasherkandi Wastewater Treatment Plant | Wastewater treatment | 500,000 m3/day | $600M | ADB·EDCF | Tender preparation |
| Eastern Distribution Network Expansion | Pipeline network | 500 km | $400M | WB | Under construction |
| NRW Reduction (Zones 5-8) | NRW reduction | 4 zones | $300M | EDCF | In progress |
| Smart Water Grid | ICT system | Citywide | $200M | ADB | Pilot operation |
| Pagla Wastewater Treatment Plant | Wastewater treatment | 200,000 m3/day | $350M | JICA | Under design |
| Groundwater to Surface Water Conversion | Water source transition | Phased | $500M | Mixed | Planning stage |
Fit of Korean Water-Treatment Technologies
Detailed Outlook for NRW Reduction
DWASA's most urgent operational challenge is reducing the non-revenue water ratio from 30%. Around 30% of treated water produced each day is lost through leakage, illegal use, or unmetered consumption, creating annual financial losses of more than $200 million. Korea's NRW reduction capabilities, which have achieved levels near 8%, are among the strongest globally and are especially well aligned with DWASA's project needs.
| Component | Description | Budget | Applicable Korean Technology | Expected Impact |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Leak Detection | Acoustic and AI-based leak surveys | $80M | K-water solutions | NRW -8%p |
| DMA Establishment | District metered area segmentation and monitoring | $70M | Seoul model | NRW -5%p |
| Smart Meters | IoT-enabled remote metering system | $60M | 코리아디스플레이·Korea Corp | NRW -3%p |
| Pipeline Replacement | Rehabilitation and replacement of aging pipes | $50M | Korea E&C | NRW -2%p |
| Pressure Management | Optimized pressure control | $20M | K-water | Longer pipeline life |
| Training and Capacity Building | Operational training for local staff | $20M | K-water training | Sustained performance |
Market Entry Strategy for Korean Companies
DWASA's presentation makes clear that Dhaka's water infrastructure is operating under severe investment pressure and that a large-scale capital program of more than $8 billion is unavoidable. Korea is well positioned as a preferred partner thanks to its globally competitive NRW reduction capabilities, advanced MBR wastewater solutions, and strong smart water grid experience. In particular, the $300 million EDCF-backed project offers the most favorable conditions for Korean participation, making direct engagement during the infrastructure roadshow an important starting point for future contract wins.