The Purbachal New Town Water Supply Project is a pioneering Public-Private Partnership (PPP) infrastructure development in Bangladesh. As the first of its kind in the water sector, it aims to provide a sustainable and technologically advanced water distribution network for Purbachal New Town, the largest planned township in the country.
The project is designed to serve a projected population of 1.6 million residents across a 6,150-acre area, transitioning from initial groundwater extraction to a long-term surface water supply model.
Project Architecture & Infrastructure
The project consists of three core physical components designed to ensure 24/7 water availability with high-pressure reliability.
- Transmission & Distribution Network: A massive 640-kilometer pipeline network (approx. 320 km of road alignment) ranging in diameter from DN25 to DN1200.
- Source Facilities: Initial phase includes 15 high-capacity deep tube wells providing 30 million liters per day (MLD), with future integration into the Meghna River surface water project to meet the total demand of 340 MLD.
- Administrative & Technical Hub: A dedicated administrative building and mechanical workshop.
- Façade System: The administrative building features a high-performance Semi-unitized Façade System with silicone glazing, providing a modern corporate aesthetic while maintaining structural durability.
Technological Innovations
The Purbachal network is designed as a "Smart Water" system, utilizing digital modeling and real-time monitoring to minimize losses.
- Hydraulic Modeling: Implementation of EPANET software for real-time hydraulic and water quality simulations to ensure system security.
- Leakage Control: Advanced section metering and online pressure monitoring to maintain a "low-leakage" network compared to traditional urban systems.
- Quality Assurance: Real-time online water quality monitoring to ensure the potable water meets international and national standards at the consumer end.
Technical Specifications
| Feature |
Details |
| Location |
Purbachal New Town (Rupganj & Kaliganj Upazila) |
| Implementing Agency |
Rajdhani Unnayan Kartripakkha (RAJUK) |
| Private Partner |
United Delcot Water Limited (UDWL) |
| Project Model |
Build-Operate-Transfer (BOT) / PPP |
| Total Investment |
Approx. US$ 72 Million (Tk 600 Crore) |
| Design Capacity |
340,000 Tons (340 Million Liters) per day |
| Concession Period |
15 Years (2021–2035) |
Strategic & Environmental Impact
- Groundwater Protection: The project includes a binding agreement to cease groundwater extraction from the 11th year of operation, shifting entirely to surface water to prevent local aquifer depletion.
- Urban Sustainability: By providing a centralized, high-quality supply, the project discourages the installation of unauthorized deep tube wells by individual plot owners, preserving the geological integrity of the new town.
- Service Quality: Unlike conventional public procurement, the PPP model ensures long-term Operation and Maintenance (O&M) is handled by the private sector, guaranteeing higher service levels for residents.
