Arun Bikash Dey, Ctg

Good news for port city residents!

To provide drinking water at a low price, Chattogram Water Supply and Sewerage Authority (Wasa) is launching a water ATM in port city today.

People can buy drinking water at Tk 0.60 per litre through the service -- much cheaper than bottled water, sold at Tk 15-20 per litre (bottle) at stores.

Hailing the initiative, city dwellers said this service would help them get much-needed drinking water at a cheaper rate.

“I often buy water from shops and a litre costs around Tk 20. This automated water vending machine service would be a nice way to start the New Year,” said Sajib Das, a private job holder in Khulshi area.

Shahedul Azam, a resident of Patenga, said Wasa did not supply water in his area. “There is a problem of salinity and iron in the tubewell water and so we have to buy jar water for drinking, which costs Tk 5 per litre,” he said. “If water ATM is set up in Patenga, we will be able to get safe and affordable water.”

Wasa officials said initially the service will start from Khulshi Road 1 and it will be expanded to three more spots -- Halishahar Nayabazar, Agrabad Badamtoli and Sadarghat Saheb Bazar -- within a month. The number of booths will be increased to 100 by this year.

To this end, Chattogram Wasa signed an agreement with a US-based company “Drinkwell”. The company has set up a Water ATM at Khulshi Road 1 inside a Wasa pump station.

Visiting the area yesterday, it was seen that the booth had two outlets, where two persons can avail the service simultaneously. A consumer

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Photo: Rajib Raihan