On May 12, 2025, a team of 11 ITN-BUET representatives, led by its Director, Prof. Dr. Rowshan Mamtaz, visited the Dasherkandi Sewage Treatment Plant (STP) in Dhaka—the largest sewage treatment facility in South Asia operated by Dhaka WASA to explore the system and discuss collaborative action for sustainability.
The visit to the Dasherkandi STP complements to ITN-BUET’s efforts towards promoting the Citywide Inclusive Sanitation (CWIS) approach for sanitation encompassing all sorts of sanitation solutions, including sewerage, non-sewerage and decentralized systems to ensure safely managed sanitation for all.
Proper treatment of sewage and the safe reuse of biosolids are key to this STP protecting public health and environmental safety. The Dasherkandi STP also has a provision for treating fecal sludge together with sewage. A MoU signed between Dhaka North City Corporation (DNCC), Dhaka WASA and UNICEF is allowing DNCC to discharge fecal sludge in the co-treatment facility of the STP.
The Dasherkandi STP Operation team of Dhaka WASA led by Mr. Momtajur Rahman, Executive Engineer, Operation, facilitated this visit by showing each of the components of the STP. They also gave a brief presentation on Dasherkandi STP site and showed an informative video clip before practical demonstration to give better understanding of the STP site.
The capacity of South Asia’s largest STP is 540 MLD and currently it is treating 330 MLD sewage daily and producing 330 m3 biosolids. Though the sludge drying and incineration unit of the plant is reducing the biosolid volume to one-tenth (1/10) in the form of ash, finding an alternative solution for biosolid usage is very crucial for long term sustainability.
ITN-BUET research findings documented the potentials for use of biosolid or ash to produce carbonized bricks, aggregates, including use in cement industries. A discussion workshop involving ITN-BUET researchers, Dhaka WASA officials and potential industry representatives will lead to practical solutions for the usage of biosolids of Dasherkandi STP.
The Dasherkandi STP is not only a treatment plant but also as a learning and study Centre on modern STP for students, academicians and sanitation professionals. The Dasherkandi STP is facilitating visits in this regard. A case study will be instrumental to showcase the technical, operational and management aspects of the South Asia’s largest STP in Bangladesh.
