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Affordable Water Pricing for Slums Dwellers in Dhaka Metropolitan Area: The
Case of Three Slums

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 Journal of Water Resource Engineering and Management
ISSN: 2349-4336(online)
Volume 3, Issue 1
www.stmjournals.com

Affordable Water Pricing for Slums Dwellers in Dhaka

Metropolitan Area: The Case of Three Slums
Muhammad Mizanur Rahaman*, Tahmid Saif Ahmed
Department of Civil Engineering, University of Asia Pacific, House 8, Road 7, Dhanmondi,
Dhaka, Bangladesh

Abstract
Ensuring affordable and equitable access to safe water for all in urban areas is a major water
management challenge for Bangladesh. Both the availability and the quality of water are
declining in the poor urban areas, especially in Dhaka, the capital of Bangladesh. Lack of
access to affordable drinking water in the slums of Dhaka metropolitan area (DMA) poses a
major challenge for Bangladesh to achieve target 6.1 of the United Nations sustainable
development goals which aims to provide equitable access to safe and affordable drinking
water for all by 2030. The aim of this research is to address the following question: Are slum
dwellers in Dhaka metropolitan area capable for paying for Dhaka water supply and
sewerage authority’s (DWASA) services? This study focused on three slums in Dhaka
metropolitan area namely Korail slum, Godown slum and Tejgaon slum to determine the
current water price in these slums and to compare it with the water price of DWASA. Results
show that for domestic water use slum dwellers are paying about 7 to 14 times higher than the
legal connection holders covered by DWASA. Slum dwellers are spending about 12 to 15% of
their average monthly income for domestic water supply, whereas in most of the countries,
legal connection holders are spending less than 5% of their average monthly income for the
same purpose. For secure water supply, all the respondents in these three slums are willing to
pay 3.4 times more than the current water price of DWASA. Finally, it is concluded that the
slum dwellers of the three selected slums in Dhaka metropolitan area are capable to pay for
DWASA services.

Keywords: Water pricing, affordability, slum dwellers, Dhaka metropolitan area, Dhaka
water supply and sewerage authority

*Author for Correspondence E-mail: rahamanmm@gmail.com, rahamanmm-ce@uap-bd.edu

INTRODUCTION the world in terms of population and

Water, which is now more precious than ever
in our history and is essential for almost all the
sectors related to human survival that include
agriculture, forestry, industries, navigation,
fisheries, drinking and sanitation and mining
etc. With decreasing availability and increasing
demand for water, some have predicted that
clean water will become the next oil in world
[1]. Within recent decades, increasing
urbanization in low and middle-income
countries led to the development of megacities
with more than 10 million inhabitants [2, 3, 4].
Bangladesh is under serious fresh water crisis
especially in the urban areas. Both the
availability and the quality of water are
decreasing in the poor urban areas. Besides,
the population situation is getting worse in
Dhaka, which became one of the megacities in
urbanization. The percentage of slum
population within the overall population has
increased from 25 percent in 1996 to
37.4 percent in 2007 occupying an area of only
4 percent of the total Dhaka metropolitan area
(DMA) [3]. These slums dwellers in DMA
face several social, economic, environmental
and political problems. Among these, crisis or
scarcity of fresh water is one of the major
concerns for them. Due to increase of Dhaka
metropolitan area’s population, the gross daily
water demand will rise from 2460 million
liters per day (MLD) to 7970 MLD within
next 15 years, assuming a system loss of
20 percent [5].
Due to rapid increase in population and over
exploitation of groundwater resources to meet
the water demand, the groundwater table in

JoWREM (2016) 15-33 © STM Journals 2016. All Rights Reserved Page 15
Affordable Water Pricing
DMA is declining at an alarming rate over the
last few decades. Thus, providing equitable
access to safe and affordable water for all,
especially for slum dwellers, through efficient
water management is a major challenge in
DMA.
Slums in Dhaka Metropolitan Area
Dhaka is the living place of 14 million people
[6]. Here, a huge number of people are
involved with the informal jobs like rickshaw
pulling, hawkers, roadside businesses,
domestic servants etc.
The phenomenon of slums and squatters in
Dhaka is as old as the city itself [7–9]. But the
city has experienced a prolific growth of slums
and squatters since the independence of the
country in 1971 (Figure 1) [10]. By the end of
1976, only 10 slums existed in Dhaka with a
population of 10,000. The number has
increased to 2,156 settlements with a
population of 718,143 in 1993, and 3007
settlements with a population of 1.1 million in
1996 [11]. Over the last three decades, around
90% of the slums settlements have developed
in DMA. During 1981–1990, the slums growth
was 45% and during 1972–1980, the growth
was around 26%. Since 1991, the slums
growth in DMA was around 18% [12].
Poor people from rural areas mainly migrate to
DMA for improving their financial condition
and getting better opportunities in the capital
[13]. The majority of urban poor migrate to
Dhaka metropolitan area from a few districts
like Faridpur, Barisal and Comilla [14].
The rural poor migrate to Dhaka metropolitan
area due to several push and pull factors. The
push factors include, among others, rapid
population growth, floods, drought and natural
disasters, river erosion, growing landlessness,
unemployment and exploitation by the rural
elites and money lenders [15]. The pull factors
include employment opportunities, improved
quality of life and relative freedom for female
workers [15].
JoWREM (2016) 15-33 © STM Journals 2016. All Rights Reserved
Rahaman and Ahmed
In Bangladesh, land is the main means to
generate financial assets to the rural poor
through agricultural production. Due to rapid
population growth, access to land has been
limited for majority of rural people and as a
consequence, landless people migrate to
Dhaka in a hope to improve their living
condition even though that hope fades away
when they enter Dhaka and face ground
realities in slum areas [16].
Slum dwellers in Dhaka metropolitan area
have limited access to safe water, sanitation
and hygiene, sewerage electricity, gas and
other basic amenities required to sustain a
quality life [17]. Most slums dwellers have
limited access to safe water for drinking
purpose only while majority use unsafe water
for washing, bathing and other purposes.
Around 80% of urban poor do not have access
to sanitation [18] while only 12.4% have
access to underground drainage system [14].
Lack of access to drinking water and sanitation
facilities in the slums of DMA pose a major
challenge for Bangladesh to achieve targets
6.1 and 6.2 of the recently adopted UN
sustainable development goals (SDGs) which
aim to provide equitable access to safe and
affordable drinking water and sanitation
facilities for all by 2030.
The study by Ahsan et al. reveals that 33% of
the urban poor still have no access to
electricity. The study also found that 72% of
the urban poor use traditional fuel for cooking
and only 22% have access to gas facilities.
More than 60% of the poor just dump their
garbage on the road or on the ground [19].
UN-Habitat group defines slum household as
“one or a group of individuals living under the
same roof in an urban area and lacking one or
more of the following five amenities: (1)
secure tenure, (2) sufficient living area, (3)
access to improved water, (4) access to
improved sanitation facilities, and (5) durable
housing” [21].
Page 16
Journal of Water Resource Engineering and Management
Volume 3, Issue 1
ISSN: 2349-4336(online)

Fig. 1: Slums of Dhaka Metropolitan Area [20].

JoWREM (2016) 15-33 © STM Journals 2016. All Rights Reserved Page 17
Affordable Water Pricing
Dhaka Water Supply and Sewerage
Authority (DWASA)
Dhaka water supply and sewerage authority
(DWASA) is responsible for providing water
and sewerage services in Dhaka metropolitan
area (DMA). However, DWASA is not legally
allowed to provide services to illegal
settlements in DMA, e.g. slums dwellers.
DWASA is a service oriented autonomous
commercial organization in the public sector,
entrusted with the responsibility of providing
water supply, sewerage disposal (wastewater),
and storm water drainage services to the urban
dwellers of the rapidly growing Dhaka city
that is the capital of Bangladesh. It covers
more than 360 sq. km. service area with
12.5 million people with a production of
almost 2110 million liters of water per day
(MLD). DWASA faces a number of
challenges including unplanned city
development and informal settlements,
transitioning to using surface water instead of
groundwater, and lack of large investment
funding [22, 23].
Dhaka metropolitan area is surrounded by
numerous rivers and canals, such as
Buriganga, Balu, Turag and Shitalakshya, but
the quality of water in these rivers is mostly
not suitable for drinking and domestic
purposes [24]. Surface water sources from
surrounding rivers and lakes have already
exceeded the standard limits of many water
quality parameters because of the discharge of
huge amount of untreated municipal waste
materials and sewage effluents [24]. As the
treatment of the water from surface water
sources has become very expensive, DWASA
has to depend on groundwater aquifers for
drinking water supply [24]. Table 1
summarizes the overview of the water
production in Dhaka city.
Table 1: Water Production in Dhaka City by
DWASA [22].
Water connections 286911 numbers
Daily water production 2087.50 MLD
Deep tube well (DTW) in operation 560 numbers
DTW of other agencies 1330 numbers
Overhead tank in operation 38 numbers
Water treatment plant 4 numbers.
Strom water drainage 185 km
Strom water pumping station 3 numbers
Religious institutions 1898 numbers
JoWREM (2016) 15-33 © STM Journals 2016. All Rights Reserved
Rahaman and Ahmed
Total production of DWASA is 1980 million
liters per day (MLD), whereas total production
capacity is 2182 MLD (DWASA, 2015).
Tables 2a and b show the surface water
treatment capacity of various treatment plants
of DWASA and various aspects of drainage
system covered by DWASA.
Table 2a: Surface Water
Treatment Capacity [22].
Sayedabad water treatment plant 225 MLD
Chadnighat water treatment plant 39 MLD
Narayangonj water treatment plant 28 MLD
Total surface water production 257 MLD
Table 2b: Various Aspects of Drainage System
of DWASA and its Coverage [22].
Coverage area 110 sq.km
Population served 25%
Treatment plant 1
Treatment capacity 120000 m3
Actual treatment 30000–50000 m3
Connections 59510 numbers
Sewerage line 881 km.
Objectives of the Study
The key aim of this research is to find out
whether slums dwellers in Dhaka metropolitan
area are capable for paying for DWASA
services. This paper has two objectives. These
are:
1. What is the current water price in selected
slums in Dhaka metropolitan area?
2. What percentage of income slum dwellers
are spending for water?
METHODOLOGIES
For this study, following methodologies have
been used:
 A field study has been conducted between
July and August 2014 that includes a semi
structured questionnaire survey and focus
group discussions with selected slums
dwellers and various stakeholders.
 Various stakeholders for this research
include local water supply agents,
DWASA officials, local DWASA agents,
local residents, local power elites and
middlemen; NGOs and legal connection
holders in the study area.
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Journal of Water Resource Engineering and Management
Volume 3, Issue 1
ISSN: 2349-4336(online)

 Secondary data has been obtained from surveyed. Figure 2 illustrates the locations of
government agencies, published articles, these slums. The detail of each slum is
research papers and various databases. provided in the later part of the paper.

INTRODUCTION TO THE STUDY ANALYSIS AND FINDINGS

AREA
The total number of slums in the Dhaka city
corporation area is approximately 4,500. For
this study, three slums namely Korail slum,
Godown slum and Tejgaon slum were
For this study, 150 respondents from the three
selected slums were interviewed through
questionnaire survey. Tables 3 and 4 show the
background of the respondents.

Fig. 2: Locations of the Study Area [25].

Table 3: Background of the Respondents [26].

No. of Average Average Educational
Name of Average Age of
Water Source Respondents Income of Background of
Slum Respondents
Observed Respondents Respondents
Korail Illegal water house 50 35–40 years 5000–7000 Illiterate
Godown DWASA pump house 50 40–45 years 5000–6000 Illiterate
Tejgaon Mosque 50 40–50 years 5000–6000 Illiterate

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Affordable Water Pricing Rahaman and Ahmed

Table 4: Migration Causes to Slums in Dhaka Overview of Korail Slum

(as % of Total Households) [22]. Korail is one of the largest slums in
Reason for Coming to Slum (as % of Total Bangladesh and is located in latitude
Households) 23°46'36.7752''N and longitude
River erosion 17.2
90°24'25.2720''E under wards 19 and 20 of
Dhaka city corporation, adjacent to Gulshan-
Uprooted 12.53
Banani Lake. The slum can be accessed by
Driven out 2 several roads or by water across Gulshan lake
Abandoned 1.22 [27]. At present, more than 20,000 families
Meager income 19.97 live in Korail slum and majority of the
residents work in garments industries,
Insecurity 2.43
construction, transportation, land
For job 39.53 development, domestic help and informal
Others 5.12 sectors. Even though, they are contributing to
Total 100 the economy substantially, they are deprived
from basic services as slums are considered as
Total households 334431
illegal settlements.

Fig. 3: Location of Korail Slum, Dhaka, Bangladesh [25].

In Korail slum, a total of 50 people from 46 understanding of the situation. Table 5 shows
houses were interviewed. Four group an overview of water supply situation in
discussions were organized to get better Korail slum (Figure 3).

Table 5: Overview of Water Supply in Korail Slum [26]

Water collection points 5
Distance from household Nearly close to house
Frequency of water supply 3 times a day
Distribution process Legal DWASA line in water collection points
Role of NGO Yes
Role of DWASA No
Distribution through pipe Yes
Tube well Yes
Alternative water source Adjacent TNT water colony

JoWREM (2016) 15-33 © STM Journals 2016. All Rights Reserved Page 20
Journal of Water Resource Engineering and Management
Volume 3, Issue 1
ISSN: 2349-4336(online)

Average Family Size in Korail Slum
It is observed that 48% respondent of Korail
slum have three to five members in their
family. 30% have two to three members and
22% have five to eight members (Figure 4).
Length of Residency of the Respondents in
Korail Slum
Among the respondents, 12% have been
residing in this slum for 0–1 year, 26% have
been residing for 1–3 years, 42% have been
residing for 3–5 years and only 12% have been
residing more than 5 years (Figure 5). It is
observed that people do not stay longer period
of time in this slum because of the
government’s eviction attempts and hazardous
life in the slum.
Average Monthly Income of the Respondents
in Korail Slum
It is observed that among 50 respondents, 16%
earn more than 7000 Bangladeshi Taka (BDT),
10% earn 3000–4000 BDT, 14% earn 4000–
5000 BDT, 22% earn 5000–6000 BDT and
38% earn 6000–7000 BDT (Figure 6).

Average family members in Korail slum

2 to 3 member 3 to 5 member 5 to 8 member

22%
30%

48%

Fig. 4: Average Family Members of Korail Slum, Dhaka [26].

Length of residency of the respondents in Korail slum

More than 5 years 0-1 year 1-3 years 3-5 years

12%

42%
20%

26%

Fig. 5: Length of Residency of the Respondents in Korail Slum, Dhaka [26].

JoWREM (2016) 15-33 © STM Journals 2016. All Rights Reserved Page 21
Affordable Water Pricing Rahaman and Ahmed

Average monthly Income of the Korail slum's

respondents in BDT

10%
16%

3000-4000
14%
4000-5000
5000-6000
6000-7000

38% 22% 7000 or above

Fig. 6: Average Monthly Income of the Korail Slum’s Respondents in BDT [26].

Water Pricing in Korail Slum
At present, Korail slum dwellers are paying 14
times more than legal connections holders of
DWASA (Tables 6 and 7 and Figure 7). For
secure water supply, all the respondents of
Korail slum are willing to pay 3.4 times more
than the current water price of DWASA.
Table 6 shows the existing price for 1000 l of
water in Korail slum. Figure 7 and Table 7
show comparative scenario of water pricing
between DWASA connections holders and
Korail slum dwellers.

Table 6: Water Pricing in Korail Slum [26].

Existing Water Price in DWASA Water Demand Charge for Bathing
Total Expense for Water
Korail Slum per Rate per (Liter per Capita per per Person (One
per Person per Month
1000 Liters 1000 Liters Day) Time)
100 taka 7.33 taka 20 LPCD 5 taka 210 taka

Water price per 1000 liters in BDT

Korail slum dwellers 100

7.33
DWASA connection
holders

0 20 40 60 80 100 120

Fig. 7: Water Price per 1000 l in Korail Slum and DWASA Covered Area (in BDT) [26].

JoWREM (2016) 15-33 © STM Journals 2016. All Rights Reserved Page 22
Journal of Water Resource Engineering and Management
Volume 3, Issue 1
ISSN: 2349-4336(online)

Table 7: Comparative Scenario of Water Pricing in DWASA and Korail Slum [26].
How Many Times
Water Price Water Price per Water Price Slum How Many Times
Slum Dwellers
per 1000 l 1000 Liters for Dwellers are Ready than DWASA Rate
Currently Pay Compare
in Korail DWASA Connections to Pay for Slum Dwellers are
to DWASA Connections
Slum Holders 1000 Liters Ready to Pay
Holders
100 taka 7.33 taka 25 taka 14 times 3.4 times

Godown Slum Table 8: Overview of Water Supply in

Godown slum is the part of greater Korail Godown Slum [26].
slum. It is situated near Bonani T&T field. Water collection point 1
There are around 150 houses in this slum.
Distance from household Close to house
Among those, this study covered 50
respondents from 40 households. Three focus Frequency of water supply 3 times a day
group discussions were arranged as well. Distribution process Illegal DWASA pump line
Table 8 shows an overview of water supply
situation in Godown slum. Role of NGO No
Role of DWASA No
Average Family Size in Godown Slum
Distribution through pipe No
It is observed that 49% respondent of Godown
slum have three to five members in their Tube well Yes, 2 numbers
family, 24% have two to three members and Alternative water source None
27% have five to eight members (Figure 8).

Average family members in Godown slum

5 to 8 member 2 to 3 member
27% 24%

3 to 5 member
49%

Fig. 8: Average Family Members in Godown Slum, Dhaka [26].

Average Monthly Income of the Respondents Length of Residency of the Respondents in

in Godown Slum
It is observed that among 50 respondents, 14%
earn more than 7000 Bangladeshi Taka (BDT),
16% earn 3000–4000 BDT, 16% earn 4000–
5000 BDT, 28% earn 5000–6000 BDT and
32% earn 6000–7000 BDT (Figure 9).
Godown Slum
Among the respondents, 25% have been
residing in Godown slum for 0–1 year, 32%
have been residing for 1–3 years, 30% have
been residing in this slum for 3–5 years and
only 13% have been staying here for more

JoWREM (2016) 15-33 © STM Journals 2016. All Rights Reserved Page 23
Affordable Water Pricing Rahaman and Ahmed

than 5 years (Figure 10). It is observed that,
like Korail slum, people do not stay longer
period of time in Godown slum because of the
government eviction attempts and hazardous
life.
Water Pricing in Godown Slum
At present, Godown slum dwellers are paying
seven times more than legal connections
holders of DWASA (Tables 9 and 10, and
Figure 11). For secure water supply, all the
respondents of Godown slum are willing to
pay 3.4 times more than the current water
price of DWASA. Table 9 shows the existing
price for 1000 l of water in Godown slum.
Table 10 and Figure 11 show comparative
scenario of water pricing between DWASA
connections holders and Godown slum
dwellers.

Average monthly income of the Godown slum's respondents

in BDT
3000-4000 4000-5000 5000-6000 6000-7000 7000 or above

14% 10%

16%

32%

28%

Fig. 9: Average Monthly Income of the Godown Slum’s Respondents in BDT [26].

Length of residency of the respondents in Godown slum

More than 5 years 0-1 year 1-3 years 3-5 years

13%

30%

25%

32%

Fig. 10: Length of Residency of the Respondents in Godown Slum, Dhaka [26].

JoWREM (2016) 15-33 © STM Journals 2016. All Rights Reserved Page 24
Journal of Water Resource Engineering and Management
Volume 3, Issue 1
ISSN: 2349-4336(online)

Table 9: Water Pricing in Godown Slum [26].

Water Demand
Existing Water Price in DWASA Charge for Bathing Total Expense for
(Liter per
Godown Slum per Rate per per Person (One Water per Person per
Capita per
1000 Liters 1000 Liters Time) Month
Day)
50 taka 7.33 taka 20 LPCD 5 taka 180 taka

Table 10: Comparative Scenario of Water Pricing of Godown Slum [26].

How Many Times
Water Price per Water Price Slum How Many Times
Water Price per Slum Dwellers
1000 Liters for Dwellers are Ready than DWASA Rate
1000 Liters in Currently Pay
DWASA Connections to Pay for Slum Dwellers are
Godown Slum Compare to DWASA
Holders 1000 Liters Ready to Pay
Connections Holders
50 taka 7.33 taka 25 taka 7 times 3.4 times

Water price per 1000 liters in BDT

Godown
slum 50
dwellers

DWASA
connection 7.33
holders

0 10 20 30 40 50 60

Fig. 11: Water Price per 1000 l in Godown Slum and DWASA Covered Area (in BDT) [26].

Tejgaon Slum for drinking and domestic purposes. For using

Tejgaon slum (also known as Tejgaon railway
slum) is located in latitude 23°45'34.9848''N,
longitude 90°23'29.6520''E. Water distribution
process in Tejgoan railway slum is unusual
from other slums in Dhaka city. Tejgoan slum
is situated at the heart of Dhaka city. The
office of DWASA located in Karwan Bazar is
not so far from this slum. Therefore, a number
of water pumps and sources are established
nearby Karwan Bazar area. But there are no
water pumps or sources directly linked with
Tejgaon slum dwellers households. There are
10–12 reserves tanks, few toilets and shower
rooms in a specific place for slum people
established by the middlemen who control the
slum [5]. With specific amount of charges,
slum dwellers collect water from these sources
shower and toilets, they need to pay on per-use
basis [5]. During the field study, it is observed
that a nearby mosque, which is privileged by
government subsidized free water, is also
selling water to the slum dwellers. Almost
100% respondents (total 50 respondents) are
not happy with the distribution process, as
every day they have to spend huge amount of
money for water [26]. Figure 12 shows the
location of Tejgaon slum.
In this slum, this study covered 36 households
and interviewed 50 people. Four focus group
discussions were arranged for better
understanding of the situation. Table 11 shows
an overview of water supply situation in
Tejgaon slum.

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Affordable Water Pricing Rahaman and Ahmed

Average Family Size in Tejgaon Slum family. 26% have two to three members and
It is observed that 54% respondents of Tejgaon 20% have five to eight members (Figure 13).
slum have three to five members in their

Fig. 12: Location of Tejgaon Slum, Dhaka, Bangladesh [25].

Table 11: Overview of Water Supply in Tejgaon Slum [26].

Water collection point 2
Distance from household Close to house
Frequency of water supply 2 times a day
Distribution process From legal and subsidies DWASA connection in mosque
Role of NGO Yes
Role OF DWASA No
Distribution through pipe No
Tube well Yes, 1 number
Alternative water source Water house run by NGO

Average family members in Tejgaon slum

5 to 8 member
20% 2 to 3 member
26%

3 to 5 member
54%

Fig. 13: Average Family Members in Tejgaon Slum [26].

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Journal of Water Resource Engineering and Management
Volume 3, Issue 1
ISSN: 2349-4336(online)

Length of Residency of the Respondents in 7000–10000 BDT, 6% earn more than

Tejgaon Slum
Among the respondents, 13% have been
residing in this slum for 0–1 year, 25% have
been residing for 1–3 years, 51% have been
residing for 3–5 years and only 11% have been
residing for more than 5 years (Figure 14). It is
observed that, like Korial and Godown slums,
people in this slum do not reside longer period
of time because of the government’s eviction
attempts and hazardous life in slum.
Average Monthly Income of the Respondents
in Tejgaon Slum
About 52% of total respondents earn 5000–
7000 Bangladeshi Taka (BDT), 24% earns
10000 BDT and only 18% earn below
5000 BDT (Figure 15).
Water Pricing in Tejgaon Slum
At present, Tejgaon slum dwellers are paying
seven times more than legal connections
holders of DWASA (Tables 12 and 13; and
Figure 16). For secure water supply, all the
respondents of Tejgaon slum are willing to pay
3.4 times more than the current water price of
DWASA. Table 12 shows the existing price
for 1000 l of water in Tejgaon slum. Table 13
and Figure 16 show comparative scenario of
water pricing between DWASA connections
holders and Tejgaon slum dwellers.

Length of residency of the respondents in

Tejgaon slum
More than 5 years 0-1 year 1-3 years 3-5 years

11%

13%

51%

25%

Fig. 14: Length of Residency of the Respondents in Tejgaon Slum, Dhaka [26].

Average monthly income of the Tejgaon slum's

respondents in BDT
3000-4000 4000-5000 5000-7000

6% 8%
10%
24%

52%

Fig. 15: Average Monthly Income of the Tejgaon Slum’s Respondents in BDT [26].

JoWREM (2016) 15-33 © STM Journals 2016. All Rights Reserved Page 27
Affordable Water Pricing Rahaman and Ahmed

Table 12: Water Pricing in Tejgaon Slum [26].

Water Demand
Existing Water Price in DWASA Charge for Bathing Total Expense for
(Liter per
Tejgaon Slum per Rate per per Person (One Water per Person per
Capita per
1000 Liters 1000 Liters Time) Month
Day)
50 taka 7.33 taka 20 LPCD 5 taka 180 taka

Table 13: Comparative Scenario of Water Pricing in DWASA and Tejgaon Slum [26].
How Many Times
Water Price Water Price per Water Price Slum How Many Times
Slum Dwellers
per 1000 Liters 1000 Liters for Dwellers are Ready than DWASA Rate
Currently Pay Compare
in Godown DWASA Connections to Pay for Slum Dwellers are
to DWASA Connections
Slum Holders 1000 Liters Ready to Pay
Holders
50 taka 7.33 taka 25 taka 7 times 3.4 times

Water price per 1000 liters in BDT

Tejgaon slum
50
dwellers

DWASA
connection 7.33
holders

0 10 20 30 40 50 60
Fig. 16: Water Price per 1000 l in Tejgaon Slum and DWASA Covered Area (in BDT) [26].

Combined Water Pricing Scenario of the
Study Area
This study reveals that respondents of Tejgaon
and Godown slums are currently paying about
7 times higher than DWASA rate and
respondents of Korail slum are paying
14 times higher than DWASA rate
(Figure 17). For receiving secure water supply,
100% respondents in all three slums are
willing to pay 3.4 times more than the current
water price of DWASA.
Water Pricing Comparison with Other Cities
From the Table 14, it is observed that slum
dwellers of the study area are paying higher
price for water than most of the countries. It is
also observed that even though they are paying
such a high amount of money for water in
comparison with legal connection holders in
many countries, they are not getting the water
according to their requirement both in terms of
quantity and quality. Figure 18 shows
variation of water pricing in different cities
around the world and in the Korail, Tejgaon
and Godown slums in DMA.

120 100 taka

100
80
60 50 taka 50 taka
40
20
7.33 taka
0
Korail slum Godown slum Tejgaon slum DWASA rate
Water price per 1000 liters in BDT
Fig. 17: Water Price Comparison between Selected Slums and DWASA Covered Area [26].

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Journal of Water Resource Engineering and Management
Volume 3, Issue 1
ISSN: 2349-4336(online)

Table 14: Water Price Comparison between Different Countries [26, 28].
Water Price per 1000 Liters in Water Price per
Name of Country Name of City
USDi 1000 Liters in BDT
Austria Linz 1.54 120.48
Austria Vienna 1.80 140.47
Bangladesh DWASA 0.09 7.0281
Belgium Brussels 2.11 165.15
Belgium Liege 3.40 265.7
Denmark Esbjerg 2.80 219
Denmark Copenhagen 3.83 298.75
Finland Helsinki 1.07 83.334
Finland Turku 1.96 152.96
France Paris 1.66 129.46
France Bordeaux 2.33 182.16
Germany Country Average 2.55 199.13
Great Britain London 2.03 158.86
Great Britain Cardiff 2.46 192.34
Hungary Budapest 1.23 95.965
Hungary Pécs 2.04 159.52
Italy Rome 0.59 46.034
Italy Bologna 1.08 84.689
Japan Osaka 1.03 80.46
Japan Tokyo 1.37665 107.5
Korea Seoul 0.4413 34.461
Korea Busan 0.5485 42.832
Nederland Amsterdam 2.10105 164.07
Nederland Den Haag 2.06715 161.42
Norway Oslo 1.36765 106.8
Norway Bergen 2.03085 158.59
Poland Radom 0.8846 69.078
Poland Bydgoszcz 1.24475 97.203
Portugal Lisbon 1.0008 78.152
Portugal Porto 2.37355 185.35
Slovakia Bratislava 1.1857 92.591
Slovakia Kosice 1.67145 130.52
Spain Madrid 1.14 89.374
Spain Barcelona 1.65 128.47
Sweden Stockholm 1.38825 108.41
Sweden Linkoping 2.0866 162.94
Switzerland Geneva 2.41 188.32
Switzerland Zurich 2.66 207.99
USA Chicago 0.5297 41.364
USA New York 1.56045 121.86
Selected slums in DMA Korail 1.282 100.11
Tejgaon 0.641 50.056
Godown 0.641 50.056

JoWREM (2016) 15-33 © STM Journals 2016. All Rights Reserved Page 29
Affordable Water Pricing Rahaman and Ahmed

Water price per 1000 liters in BDT

250
200
150
100
50
0

Fig. 18: Water Price Comparison in between Different Cities and Selected DMA Slums [28].

Income versus Expense for Water
Table 15 and Figure 19 show that the slum
dwellers in the selected slums are paying about
12 to 15% of their average income whereas
DWASA’s legal connection holders of
respective area are paying only 5% of their
income for water. Still the slum dwellers do
not get DWASA services. It is also observed
that slum dwellers of Dhaka metropolitan area
are paying higher percentage of their income
in comparison to that of Dhaka city dwellers
with legal connection from DWASA and even
more than the residents of Canada and
Australia.

Table 15: Total Water Bill as % of Total Annual Income in Selected Countries and
Selected Slums [26, 29].
Water Price per 1000 Average Water Average Income Total Water Bill as % of
Country
Liters in USD Bill ($/year) ($/year) Total Income
Australia .957 336.74 54453 0.62
Canada 1.3112 494.68 67081 0.74
Czech Republic 2.1456 341.2 17891 1.91
France 4.2912 511.07 50682 1.01
Italy 1.3857 402.3 44722 .90
Korea 0.536 172.84 37944 .46
Mexico 0.4619 154.96 10973 1.42
Netherland 2.8757 342.7 45799 0.75
Norway 2.5628 473.82 95075 0.50
Sweden 3.5015 587.06 59693 0.98
Bangladesh
0.093 45.685 957.8 4.7ii
(Dhaka)
Korail Slum 1.28 129 846 15.30
Godown Slum 0.64 110 846 13.00
Tejgaon Slum 0.64 110 923 11.90
i
All prices are excluding sewerage charge.
ii
Average monthly water bill 3.807 USD (DWASA, 2015). Average income (USD/year)= 957.8 (world bank, 2014). Total
water bill as % of total income=(45.985/957.8)= 4.7%.

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Journal of Water Resource Engineering and Management
Volume 3, Issue 1
ISSN: 2349-4336(online)
% of income paying for water
1.91 1.42
0.62 0.74 1.01 0.9 0.46
Fig. 19: Percentage of Total Income Paid for Water Services in Different Countries and Selected
Slums [26, 29].
CONCLUSION
This study focused on three slums in Dhaka
metropolitan area namely Korail slum,
Godown slum, Tejgaon slum to determine the
current water price in selected slums and find
out whether residents of these slums are
capable to pay for water services provided by
Dhaka water supply and sewerage authority
(DWASA). A field study has been conducted
between July and August 2014 that includes a
semi structured questionnaire survey and focus
group discussions with selected slums dwellers
and various stakeholders. Secondary data has
been obtained from government agencies,
published articles, research papers and various
databases.
Results show that slum dwellers are paying
about 7 to 14 times higher than the legal
connection holders covered by Dhaka water
supply and sewerage authority (DWASA).
Slum dwellers in the study area are spending
about 12 to 15%of their average income for
domestic water supply, whereas in most of the
countries, legal connection holders are
spending less than 5% of their average income
for the same purpose [30]. In order to receive
secure water supply, 100% respondents in the
JoWREM (2016) 15-33 © STM Journals 2016. All Rights Reserved
15.3
13
11.9
4.7
0.75 0.5 0.98
three slums are ready to pay 3.4 times more
than the current water price of DWASA.
The aim of this research was to address the
following question: Are slum dwellers in
Dhaka metropolitan area capable for paying
for Dhaka water supply and sewerage
authority (DWASA) services? Based on the
results, this research concludes that the slum
dwellers in the Korail, Godown and Tejgaon
slums in Dhaka metropolitan area are capable
to pay for DWASA services.
Lack of access to affordable drinking water in
the slums of Dhaka metropolitan area (DMA)
poses a major challenge for Bangladesh to
achieve target 6.1 of the recently adopted
United Nations sustainable development goals
which aims to provide equitable access to safe
and affordable drinking water for all by 2030.
The authorities of DMA should take proper
measures so that slums dwellers are connected
to the Dhaka water supply and sewerage
authority’s services to ensure affordable and
equitable access to safe water for all in line
with the target 6.1 of the UN sustainable
development goals.
Page 31
Affordable Water Pricing
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
The excellent support from the Department of
Civil Engineering, University of Asia Pacific
and its staff is greatly appreciated. The authors
would like to thank Abdullah Al-Hadi and
Abdus Salam for participating in the field
study.
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Cite this Article
Muhammad Mizanur Rahaman, Tahmid
Saif Ahmed. Affordable Water Pricing
for Slums Dwellers in Dhaka
Metropolitan Area: The Case of Three
Slums. Journal of Water Resource
Engineering and Management. 2016;
3(1): 15–33p.
Page 33