By Md. Omar Faruk | Project Manager
Coastal areas of southwest Bangladesh are increasingly facing an acute drinking water crisis due to rising salinity levels and a decline in freshwater availability. Climate change has intensified this situation through rising sea levels, tidal surges, and reduced upstream river flows, leading to higher salinity in both surface and groundwater sources. Millions of people now struggle to access safe drinking water, especially during the dry season, with severe health and livelihood consequences most notably for women and children.
The challenges are multifaceted: rivers and aquifers are becoming more saline, freshwater ponds are drying up, and existing rainwater harvesting systems are inadequate. Communities often rely on distant or expensive water sources, placing a heavy economic and time burden on already vulnerable households. The health impacts of consuming saline water ranging from gastrointestinal issues to hypertension, further exacerbate the vulnerability of affected populations.
To address this urgent need, the Bangladesh Environment and Development Society (BEDS) is implementing and promoting several adaptive, climate-resilient water solutions. These include the installation of household and community-based rainwater harvesting systems, the introduction of solar-powered Reverse Osmosis desalination units in off-grid areas to ensure affordable, locally accessible drinking water. In parallel, BEDS is conducting community training on water safety planning, climate adaptation, and infrastructure maintenance to ensure sustainability.
As part of its recent intervention, BEDS supported 75 vulnerable communities by distributing 150 large water storage jars two per family to meet immediate safe water storage needs. This low-cost, impactful action has significantly enhanced household capacity to store clean drinking water, reducing health risks and dependence on remote sources.
As climate-induced water stress intensifies, scaling such locally-led, sustainable solutions is vital. With donor support, BEDS can expand these efforts, ensure long-term water security and enhance the overall resilience and well-being of coastal communities in Bangladesh.
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