Despite Bangladesh’s vast river systems and abundant rainfall, it remains with a deep pain of access to clean and safe water. Pollution, salinity, and infrastructure deficits have exacerbated this crisis, leaving over two-thirds of the population without access to safe water. This gap poses grave health risks and stunts economic growth.
Geographical and Social Barriers
The water crisis in Bangladesh has been deeply rooted in the country’s geography and social dynamics for a long. While 97% of the population has access to water, only 40% enjoy proper sanitation, leaving a significant portion relying on unsafe drinking water.
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Though the mighty Brahmaputra, Meghna, and Ganges rivers flow in Bangladesh as massive water sources, but due to originating outside, the adequate water supply gets critical here over the upper riparian country’s construction of large dams to hinder the rivers’s natural flow. Upon this reality, the inadequate infrastructure of Bangladesh as a lower-riparian country to preserve monsoon waters further compounds the problem, leading to acute shortages during dry seasons.
Environmental Challenges
Environmental pressures, including rising salinity levels and climate change, have reduced the availability of fresh water. Saltwater intrusion and cyclone damage to freshwater sources have increased salinity levels, affecting agriculture and leading to health issues like hypertension. Groundwater, the primary source for nearly 90% of the population, is also contaminated with arsenic, a legacy of efforts to provide safer drinking alternatives in the 1970s.
The Human Toll
The human cost of this crisis is enormous. In coastal areas, families must walk over a mile daily to fetch drinkable water, highlighting the acute scarcity in some regions. Women and girls bear the brunt of this burden, spending hours each day collecting water, which impacts their health, education, and economic opportunities.
Women and children in rural areas, particularly in the Chittagong Hill Tracts, must travel long distances to fetch water, often through unsafe paths, which exposes them to greater risks. This labor-intensive task of water collection is exacerbated during the dry season when water sources dry up, forcing communities to rely on contaminated water sources, leading to spikes in waterborne illnesses.
Economic and Health Impacts
The introduction of tube wells in the late 20th century, intended to provide safer drinking water, inadvertently exposed millions to arsenic. The effects of arsenic contamination extend beyond immediate health concerns, profoundly impacting the cognitive and economic potential of Bangladeshis . Long-term arsenic exposure, primarily through drinking contaminated water, leads to serious health conditions including cancer, skin lesions, cardiovascular diseases, and diabetes. Additionally, it’s linked to negative impacts on cognitive development and increased mortality in young adults due to various illnesses.
Research has shown that reducing arsenic retention can significantly improve cognitive performance and economic outcomes, with a 24% enhancement in nonverbal intelligence test scores.
Environmental Degradation
Groundwater depletion in Dhaka, with levels dropping 2-3 meters annually, poses a risk of permanent water loss, potentially making access to clean water more difficult and costly. Pollution and heavy metal contamination in water bodies near industrial zones further exacerbate the crisis, with fecal coliform, pesticides, and microplastics severely impacting water quality nationwide. These contaminants often exceed WHO’s maximum permissible limits for drinking water.
In an attempt to address water scarcity and quality issues, Khulna adopted a “climate-proof” water supply system funded by foreign agencies. This system involves extracting water from the Madhumati River, treating it, and supplying it to residents, increasing access to piped water from 23% to 65% of households. However, this project has drawn water away from areas like Mollahat, impacting local agriculture and fishing, and demonstrating the complex trade-offs involved in large-scale water management solutions.
“Access to safe water improves the quality of our life and more positive behavior brings immense opportunity with this finite resource. I urge the leaders around the globe to count our call for urgent actions to understand, value, manage, and invest the best in water for the posterity to whom we owe our present.”
– Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina,
Community Actions to Address Water Scarcity
For community actions, local initiatives play a vital role in improving water access and quality in Bangladesh. Communities are engaging in rainwater harvesting and constructing local water storage facilities to tackle scarcity. Education on water conservation and hygiene practices is spreading, with local leaders and NGOs leading awareness campaigns. Efforts also include the repair and maintenance of existing water infrastructure, like tube wells, to ensure they provide safe water. These grassroots movements are crucial for sustaining water availability and promoting healthy living conditions.
Government Policy and International Aid
The Bangladeshi government, collaborating with international partners, has undertaken significant initiatives to improve access to clean water and sanitation. A Significant initiatives include a $200 million financing agreement with the World Bank aimed at enhancing hygienic sanitation facilities for 3.6 million people and ensuring clean water access for about 600,000 individuals in rural areas. This Rural Water, Sanitation, Hygiene (WASH) for Human Capital Development project is part of a broader effort to provide better water and sanitation services, thereby preventing diseases and contributing to public health and well-being.
Another notable initiative is the Asian Development Bank’s (ADB) approval of a $90 million loan to develop infrastructure that will provide clean drinking water and sanitation services in the Chattogram Hill Tracts region.
Looking into the future, innovation, and technology hold promise for Bangladesh’s water crisis. New water purification and desalination techniques are being explored to make saline and polluted water sources potable. Climate-resilient infrastructure is planned to withstand the challenges posed by climate change. The government, along with international partners, is investing in research and development to find sustainable solutions. Community involvement and education remain at the core of these future prospects, ensuring a holistic approach to water management.
In conclusion, tackling water scarcity and contamination in Bangladesh requires a multipronged and coordinated approach. Government initiatives, supported by international aid, lay the groundwork for substantial improvements. Community actions embody the local commitment to change, driving forward grassroots solutions. Future prospects rely on innovation, sustainability, and continued collaboration across all sectors. Together, these efforts represent a comprehensive strategy towards ensuring clean water access for all in Bangladesh, aiming for a healthier, more resilient future.
