Abdullah Al Zubaer, Pirojpur 

An acute scarcity  of pure  drinking water has been prevailing in  Pirojpur Municipality, leaving over 200,000 residents in severe distress. 

The crisis has stemmed from a reduction in navigability of the Baleshwar River, which is the sole water source for the municipality’s water treatment plant.

Despite scheduled water supply twice a day for one hour each, residents often don’t receive water on time — sometimes not at all for an entire day. This has disrupted daily life and caused immense suffering.A visit to various areas within the municipality revealed that municipal water taps often remain dry. Even when water is available, households with motor pumps draw it out quickly, leaving others empty-handed after long waits.ccording to municipal sources, although Pirojpur was recognized as a district in 1987, the municipality itself is over 150 years old. In earlier times, reserved ponds were used to provide safe water. To meet growing demand, a water purification plant was established in 1983 by the Public Health Department, initially producing 50,000 liters per hour. Though that capacity has since increased to 250,000–300,000 liters per hour, it falls far short of the current demand — which is around 1 million liters per hour.

This significant production gap has left the municipality unable to meet the population’s needs.Efforts are underway to resolve the crisis at  the initiative of Deputy Commissioner Mohammad Ashraful Alam Khan. The plant’s reservoir pond is being renovated for better water conservation. The municipality is also implementing various measures, and officials are hopeful that the supply issue will be resolved soon, bringing relief to residents.