Industrial Water Demand and Wastewater Generation: Challenges for Bangladesh’s Water Industry

Abstract

Bangladesh has experienced massive industrial growth in the past century. With the impressive industrial development, the country struggles to meet the demand for water and manage the wastewater generated. This paper critically analyzes Bangladesh’s three significant industrial wastewaters: textile, tannery, and landfill leachate. The textile and leather industries are major freshwater consumers and wastewater generators in Bangladesh. Most textile factories across Bangladesh operate without effluent treatment plants, causing severe water pollution. Unlike textile plants, most tanneries are located in Savar, Dhaka. Savar’s newly constructed central effluent treatment plant has serious design flaws and cannot meet discharge standards. Bangladesh has only three sanitary landfills for municipal solid waste disposal. With inadequate leachate collection and treatment facilities, the landfills have become point sources of surface water and groundwater pollution. The pollution of water resources is devastating as Bangladesh depends on surface water for irrigation and groundwater for drinking. Although Bangladesh has mandated laws and regulations for water pollution control, the lack of implementation is a significant problem. To get a better handle on industrial water demand and wastewater treatment, the Bangladesh government and the Department of Environment should work together to implement stricter laws and regulations and emphasize technical workforce development and stakeholder training.