Safe Drinking Water Crisis, Technological Alternatives and Constraints in Bangladesh: Lessons from Singapore

Abstract

Groundwater resources are the primary source of meeting the water demand in Bangladesh. In rural areas, hand-pumped tube wells have been the primary source of drinking water. Though studies claim that Bangladesh has the potential to achieve universal safe drinking water supply coverage, the presence of excessive arsenic in the shallow groundwater sources, and the encroachment of salinity in the coastal aquifers in coastal regions (Satkhira, Khulna, Bagerhat, Patuakhali, Jhalakathi, Pirojpur, Barisal, Barguna etc.) hind the path. The concerned authorities of government and other non-government organizations assist the coastal people with alternative technologies like Desalination Plant, Arsenic-Iron Removal Plant, Pond Sand Filtration (PSF), Managed Aquifer Recharge, Rainwater Harvesting System, Installation of Shallow, and Deep Tube Wells. But based on case studies and surveys, this article shows how these existing technologies fail to ensure water safety within the coastal areas. The Singaporean water management policy is an example, this article advocates for necessary government intervention to ensure safe drinking water in coastal areas.

Citation

Kathy, A.A. and Alam, M.N. (2021), "Safe Drinking Water Crisis, Technological Alternatives and Constraints in Bangladesh: Lessons from Singapore", Southeast Asia: A Multidisciplinary Journal, Vol. 21 No. 1, pp. 63-76. https://doi.org/10.1108/SEAMJ-01-2021-B1005