Residents of Faridpur city are facing persistent water shortages as ageing infrastructure and operational disruptions weaken the municipality’s supply system. Several neighbourhoods are experiencing irregular supply, with some areas receiving water at very low pressure while others remain without it for hours.
The crisis has been linked to iron pipelines installed in the 1980s that have not been replaced despite nearly 40 years of use. Rust and mineral deposits have narrowed the pipelines, reducing water flow, while recent theft of electrical cables has further disrupted pumping facilities and worsened the situation.
The old pipelines were introduced across the city by Faridpur Municipality to provide water services. However, prolonged use has left the network in poor condition, affecting the municipality’s ability to ensure regular supply.
Zakir Hossain, a resident of Guhalaxmipur, said people often have to wait every morning and evening for water. “Many times, enough water does not reach our tanks. We are forced to use pumps as an alternative arrangement,” he said.
In Jhiltuli area, homemaker Selina Begum said low water pressure in recent days has created difficulties in daily household activities. “We are facing problems with cooking, washing clothes and other household activities. The situation is particularly difficult for children and elderly people,” she said.
Abdul Kader, a businessman from Tepakhola, said water shortages were affecting both household and commercial activities. “The municipality should take immediate steps for a permanent solution,” he said.
Municipality officials said recent incidents of theft of electrical cables and related equipment have disrupted power supply to water extraction centres. As deep tube wells and pumps cannot operate during power interruptions, water supply is affected.
The municipality said replacing the old pipelines was necessary but had not been possible due to a shortage of funds. Hasanuzzaman, a member of Faridpur Sachetan Nagarik Committee, said urgent steps were needed to ensure safe and uninterrupted water supply.
“The old pipelines must be replaced, the capacity of water extraction centres needs to be increased and security of the power supply system must be strengthened. Effective action by the administration and law enforcement agencies is also necessary to prevent cable theft,” he said.
He said some residents continued to pay water bills despite receiving little or no supply. “There are complaints from many citizens who do not get water at all despite paying bills regularly. It is disappointing that they do not receive proper responses from the municipality when they raise these issues,” he said.
Hasanuzzaman added that the water supply system had failed to keep pace with population growth. “Although new connections have been provided in many areas, the municipality still depends on old infrastructure. As a result, the crisis becomes more severe during summer and power disruptions,” he said.
Prabir Kanti Bala, general secretary of Faridpur Nagarik Mancha, said residents had been suffering from problems with municipal drinking water supply for a long time.
“The water lines are not being properly inspected, and dirt and waste are affecting water quality. The municipality must take immediate action to resolve the issue,” he said. He said modernising water services was essential for maintaining the standards of an ‘A-grade’ municipality.
“It is unfortunate that there appears to be a lack of urgency among municipal authorities regarding this issue. We hope the municipality will take initiatives to ensure uninterrupted and safe water supply and free residents from years of mismanagement,” he added.
Faridpur Municipality Administrator Mohammad Eliasur Rahman could not be reached for comment as his mobile phone was switched off and he was on an official visit to China.
Faridpur Municipality Chief Executive Officer Hossain Mohammad Hai Jaki said the iron pipelines installed in the 1980s had become narrower due to rust after decades of use.
“This has created problems in supplying water to many areas. Replacing the old pipelines is necessary, but it has not been possible due to the lack of a large budget. Once necessary funds are available, we will take steps to install new pipelines in phases,” he said.
He added that recent theft of electrical cables and related equipment had also affected water supply operations. “If pipeline repair work is carried out in any area, water supply has to be temporarily suspended. Despite these challenges, our workers are making sincere efforts to manage the situation,” he said.
Kotwali Police Station Officer-in-Charge (OC) Mahmudul Hasan said police mobile teams were working around the clock to prevent theft. “Police are taking a strict stance to stop such incidents,” he said.
Residents fear the water crisis could worsen in the future unless effective measures are taken to replace the ageing pipeline network and strengthen the supply system.
