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will have to purchase a Tk 200 card (Tk 100 for registration) and use it to get water.

The card is reloadable.

“Our plan is to offer something good to residents on the first day of the New Year,” said AKM Fazlullah, managing director of Chattogram Wasa. “We have signed the agreement for five years, which will be extended considering its effectiveness.”

The vending machines are connected to Wasa pipeline, he said.

About the quality of Wasa water, Fazlullah said, “We supply water after treating it and the water is supposed to be safe for drinking. But we cannot guarantee that in every area as our pipeline may get damaged [for various reasons] and contaminate water.”

“We have also installed purifiers in the machines so that people can get safe drinking water,” said the managing director.

Contacted, Ariful Islam, superintendent engineer of Chattogram Wasa, said around 1.5 litres of water can be dispensed from each machine per minute. “The booth will remain open 24 hours. There will also be an operator and people can buy rechargeable cards at the booth,” he said.

Manjur Alam, area manager of Drinkwell, Chattogram, said a person can get around 166 litres of water for Tk 100. “A resident can add [minimum] Tk 50 after the initial balance runs out,” he said. “For registration, two copies of photographs and a copy of NID card will be needed.”

“The entire process of purifying and supplying water from the booth is automated,” said Alam. “People will also be able to monitor the amount of water being dispensed and the remaining balance,” he said.