green industries
How Green Industries Can Reduce River Water Pollution in Dhaka City
Dhaka City has been suffering from significant challenges related to river pollution. The rivers encircling Dhaka—namely the Buriganga, Turag, Shitalakkhya, Balu, Tongi Canal, and Dhaleswari—are experiencing severe pollution, which has escalated alarmingly in recent years.
Industrial waste is one of the primary contributors to this pollution. The degradation of these rivers' water quality has reached a point where it poses significant challenges to water treatment facilities. The Sayedabad Water Treatment Plant, which relies on the Shitalakkhya River, faces difficulties in treating water due to excessive pollution, especially during the dry season. Approximately 1.5 million cubic meters of waste are dumped into Dhaka's surrounding rivers daily, with industrial sources accounting for about 80% of this pollution.
Climate-resilient green industries present a promising pathway to combat the river pollution issue. By integrating sustainable practices and technologies, these industries can reduce water pollution and promote the efficient use of resources.
Read more: Can Green Buildings in Bangladesh Create Opportunities for Carbon Trading?
How Industries Cause River Pollution in Dhaka City
Industries are one of the biggest contributors to river pollution in Dhaka. The pollution primarily comes from textile, dyeing, tanneries, pharmaceuticals, and chemical industries that discharge untreated or poorly treated wastewater into rivers. Here’s how industries are causing severe pollution in Dhaka’s rivers:
Direct Discharge of Industrial Wastewater
Many industries in Dhaka, especially in areas like Savar, Gazipur, Narayanganj, and Keraniganj, discharge toxic chemicals, heavy metals, and untreated wastewater directly into rivers. These wastes include dyes, acids, alkalis, and heavy metals (lead, chromium, arsenic, and cadmium) that degrade water quality and harm aquatic life.
Textile and Dyeing Industry Pollution
The textile and dyeing industries in Dhaka (particularly in Narayanganj and Gazipur) use large amounts of water and produce chemical-laden effluents. These wastes contain synthetic dyes, bleaching agents, and salts, making river water toxic and depleting oxygen levels.
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Tanneries in Hazaribagh and Savar
The leather industry, previously concentrated in Hazaribagh, was relocated to Savar Tannery Estate to reduce pollution. However, the central effluent treatment plant (CETP) in Savar is not fully functional. As a result, untreated tannery waste containing chromium, sulfides, and acids still pollutes the Dhaleshwari River, turning it black and lifeless.
Pharmaceutical and Chemical Industry Waste
Factories producing medicines, pesticides, and plastics release toxic organic compounds into rivers like the Turag and Shitalakkhya. These chemicals can cause long-term health hazards for people using river water.
Lack of Proper Wastewater Treatment
Many industries do not have Effluent Treatment Plants (ETPs), or they bypass them to save costs. Even when ETPs are installed, they often operate below capacity or remain inactive due to poor enforcement of environmental laws.
Contribution to Heavy Metal Contamination
Heavy metal contamination is another critical concern. A comprehensive study published in July 2024 highlighted alarming levels of heavy metals—such as arsenic, lead, cadmium, chromium, iron, and manganese—in Bangladesh's rivers over the past two decades.
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The Buriganga River was identified as the most polluted, with contamination levels exceeding acceptable limits during all three seasons, posing severe threats to aquatic life and public health.
Impact on Aquatic Life and Public Health
Industrial pollution has drastically reduced fish populations in Dhaka’s rivers. Contaminated river water enters the food chain, affecting humans through the consumption of fish and polluted water. People living near polluted rivers suffer from skin diseases, respiratory issues, and gastrointestinal disorders.
1 month ago
Sreda, BGMEA sign deal for rooftop solar power promotion in RMG sector
Sustainable and Renewable Energy Development Authority (Sreda) and Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA) on Thursday signed a Memorandum of Understating (MOU) under which the state-owned agency will help garment industries to install rooftop solar power in order to transform them into green industries.
Welcoming the agreement between the two private and public bodies, Prime Minister’s Energy Advisor Dr Tawfiq-e-Elahi Chowdhury said the initiative will create some foots and grounds for promotion of renewable energy in the garment sector.
Read: Rooftop solar power: ‘Net metering can ensure cheaper electricity for garment factories’
“This will open up the door for others to follow”, he told the agreement signing function joining it virtually.
Sreda secretary Niaz Rahman and BGMEA Secretary Abdur Razzak signed the MOU on behalf of their respective sides while Sreda chairman Mohammad Alauddin and BGMEA president Rubana Huq, State Minister for Power, Energy and Mineral Resources Nasrul Hamid, Principal Secretary to the Prime Minister Dr Ahmad Kaikaus addressed the function.
As per the agreement, the Sreda and BGMEA will create coordination in raising awareness about renewable energy in the garment sector, pursue for central bank’s green funding and also investment from banking sector.
Read: Rooftop solar: Power companies instructed to float net metering promotion plan
Nasrul Hamid said the country’s industrial sector consumes nearly 48 percent of their total power generation and garment industries lead the sector by consuming 30 percent of total industrial load.
If the garment industry pursues energy efficiency, it will reduce their 17.6 percent consumption, he added.
Sreda chairman Mohammad Alauddin said there is huge scope for renewable energy promotion in garment sector.
Read Green energy's share of power generation lagging far behind conventional sources
4 years ago