IWM

Academic Chronology

Mr. Muhammad Abdullah graduated in Civil Engineering from the Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology (BUET) in 2009 and obtained his Master of Science in Civil Engineering from the same university in 2014. He is currently pursuing his Ph.D. in Civil Engineering at BUET, specializing in the performance evaluation and optimization of water supply systems.

Professional Track Record

Mr. Abdullah has over 17 years of professional experience in water supply, water treatment, and sanitation system planning, design, implementation, and construction supervision.

His professional expertise covers the entire project lifecycle—from concept development, feasibility studies, master planning, detailed engineering design, procurement support, construction supervision, commissioning, system performance testing, and post-implementation performance evaluation.

He has extensive experience in hydraulic modelling and design using Bentley OpenFlows WaterGEMS, SewerGEMS, EPANET, and MIKE+, covering water transmission and distribution systems, sewer networks, District Metered Areas (DMAs), pumping stations, transmission mains, and water treatment plants ranging from 5.5 MLD to over 450 MLD.

His expertise also includes hydraulic model development and calibration, pressure management, water quality modelling, hydraulic transient (water hammer) analysis, energy-efficient pumping systems, SCADA-integrated network planning, smart metering, NRW reduction, 24/7 water supply systems, and GIS-based utility mapping.

Mr. Abdullah has contributed to the planning and design of a significant number of chlorinated water supply systems and more than 200 District Metered Areas (DMAs) throughout Bangladesh, including projects in Dhaka, Khulna, Rajshahi, Sylhet, Chattogram, and Narayanganj.

His experience encompasses the complete water supply chain, including intake structures, raw water transmission systems, presedimentation facilities, conventional surface water treatment plants, pumping stations, clear water reservoirs, treated water transmission systems, overhead reservoirs, distribution networks, and sewerage systems.

He has extensive experience in utility-level planning, including water supply master plans, feasibility studies, investment planning, asset management, utility performance assessment, preparation of technical specifications, BOQs, tender documents, Development Project Proforma (DPP), and operation and maintenance planning.

He has led and contributed to several ADB, World Bank, AIIB, NDB, AFD, KfW, FCDO, UNICEF, and China Exim Bank funded projects, working closely with water utilities such as DWASA, KWASA, RWASA, CWASA, SWASA, DPHE, and various UN organizations.

His project experience includes multidisciplinary coordination with government agencies, development partners, contractors, consultants, and utility operators throughout project planning, design, procurement, construction, and commissioning stages.

He has significant experience in climate-resilient and sustainable water supply planning, particularly for coastal regions, saline-prone areas, rapidly urbanizing cities, and humanitarian response programmes.

Mr. Abdullah is currently engaged as Deputy Team Leader in the ADB-funded KSSD Project and serves as Water Treatment and Water Supply Specialist in other national water supply initiatives.

Training / Membership / Workshop / Seminar / Publication

Mr. Abdullah has received professional training at home and abroad on Modelling of Water Hammer using MIKE+ (DHI), Geo-Hydraulic Modelling (IHE Delft), Water Quality Modelling using ECOLAB (DHI), Efficient Hydraulic Modelling using OpenFlows WaterGEMS (Bentley Systems), Advanced EIA and EMP (BUET), Business Communication Skills (British Council), Project Management for Engineers (ESC, IEB), etc.

He also participated in international exposure programmes on the Metro Manila Water Supply System (Philippines) arranged by Bentley Systems in 2014 and the Kathmandu Valley Water Supply System (Nepal) under the Water Operators Partnership Program of ADB in 2019.

He is a Fellow of the Institution of Engineers Bangladesh (F/16236), Member of the International Water Association (ID: 1619579), Member of the International Association of Hydrological Sciences (No. 17836), and a Registered Consultant of ADB (CMS No. 204984).

Since 2015, Mr. Abdullah has been serving as a Guest Lecturer at BUET, teaching M.Sc. students on water supply system design, operation, and management.

He has also delivered professional lectures, technical presentations, and capacity development sessions for engineers and water utility professionals on hydraulic modelling, water treatment, and urban water supply systems.

He has published numerous papers in national and international journals and conference proceedings related to water supply, water treatment, hydraulic modelling, and sanitation.

His research interests include hydraulic modelling, water treatment optimization, utility performance assessment, NRW management, climate-resilient water infrastructure, digital water technologies, and sustainable urban water management.

Major Project Assignments

• Khulna Sewerage System Development Project (KSSDP), Institutional Development, Awareness Creation, and Design Consultancy (IADC) – Deputy Team Leader (Client: KWASA; Funded by ADB; Loan No. L3978/3979-BAN)

• Dhaka Environmentally Sustainable Water Supply Project (DESWSP) – Network Modelling Specialist (Client: DWASA; Funded by ADB; Project No. 42173-013-BAN)

• Feasibility Study for Improvement of Water Supply Network with DMA System, Rajshahi – Water Supply Engineer (Client: RWASA)

• Water Network Review and Design for Rohingya Refugee Camps, Cox’s Bazar – Water Supply Specialist (Client: UNICEF; Contract No. 43379197 (FCDO) and Contract No. 43383537 (KfW))

• Feasibility Study and Detailed Engineering Design for Water Supply in Coastal Hotspots – Water Supply Specialist (Client: DPHE; Funded by World Bank; IDA Credit No. 6777-BD/RWSHP-SD-20)

• Rural Piped Water Supply and Sanitation Schemes (80 Upazilas) – Pipe Network Specialist (Client: DPHE; Funded by World Bank; IDA Credit No. 6777-BD/RWSHP-SD-15)

• Dhaka Water Supply Network Improvement Project (DWSNIP) – Water Supply Specialist (Client: DWASA; Funded by ADB; Project No. 47254-003-BAN)

• Feasibility and Detailed Design of Sylhet Water Treatment Plant Project – Water Treatment Specialist (Client: SWASA)

• Dhaka Water Supply Sector Development Project (DWSSDP) – Hydraulic Modelling Expert (Client: DWASA; Funded by ADB; Project No. 39405-013-BAN)

• Feasibility Studies for Surface Water Systems in Dhaka, Khulna, and Rajshahi – Water Treatment and Network Expert (Clients: DWASA, KWASA and RWASA)

• DWASA Water Treatment Plant Project – Padma (Jashaldia) Surface Water Treatment Plant – Water Treatment Engineer (Client: DWASA; Funded by China Exim Bank)

Professional Summary

Mr. Abdullah combines strong academic credentials with extensive practical experience in planning, hydraulic modelling, detailed engineering design, construction supervision, commissioning, and performance evaluation of water supply and sanitation infrastructure. His multidisciplinary expertise, combined with his experience in working with international development partners and public water utilities, enables him to deliver technically sound, sustainable, resilient, and cost-effective engineering solutions for urban and rural water supply systems. He is recognized for his strong analytical capability, leadership in multidisciplinary teams, and commitment to advancing sustainable water utility management through engineering excellence and innovation.