BANGLADESH’S water crisis has deep historical roots shaped by the shift from polluted surface water to intensive groundwater extraction, the rapid installation of millions of tube wells with little geological testing and environmental pressures. Before and after independence in 1971, communities relied on unsafe surface water, leading to widespread waterborne diseases. The nationwide tube-well campaign of the 1970s and 1980s was intended to provide safer drinking water but created excessive reliance on groundwater. By the 1990s, the country discovered that millions of these wells were contaminated with arsenic, turning a public-health solution into the world’s largest poisoning crises. Meanwhile, river diversion, rapid population growth and uncontrolled industrial expansion intensified pressure on surface water sources which were already declining in quantity and quality.
From the 2000s onward, new stressors compound the existing problem, pushing Bangladesh towards a multidimensional water crisis. Climate change began to drive both flooding and dry-season shortages, while aggravating contamination of freshwater with saline in coastal districts. This affects farmland and the drinking water of millions of people. Urban households and factories in Dhaka extracted groundwater at a rate faster than it could replenish; they also polluted rivers through the release of toxic substances. In northern agricultural regions, expansion of irrigation activities depleted aquifers, while coastal cyclones have repeatedly pushed saltwater inland. As a result, the country today faces a complex web of problem: groundwater depletion, arsenic contamination, river pollution and climate-driven salinity — all rooted in historical decisions and in environmental change.
Today, while roughly 98 per cent of Bangladesh’s population has access to some form of water source, only about 59 per cent has access to safe, potable water. Many wells in rural districts still contain dangerous levels of arsenic, affecting millions of people. Similarly, in coastal regions, saltwater intrusion from rising sea levels has made both groundwater and surface water unfit for drinking or farming. The non-governmental organisation WaterAid Bangladesh reported that in cities like Chattogram, salinity has forced thousands of families to depend on expensive bottled water sources. This illustrates how climate change worsens inequality in water access.
Beyond the July revolution
WHILE many problems in the nation can be linked to political oppression and corruption, water crisis in Bangladesh is a multi-faceted conundrum. It is a complex interaction between historical decisions, existing infrastructure, climate-induced natural disasters, human activities, population growth and politics. Just like the global epidemic of obesity that is multi-factorial and needs a multi-level solution, water crisis too, calls for a multi-dimensional analysis and unpacking. No doubt, water governance and climate resilience management are no easy task. However, what the nation needs now is not a quick fix, but a long-term, comprehensive and sustainable measure that brings the water crisis under control once and for all.
The July 2024 revolution is undeniably a historic moment, marking a collective demand for accountability and political renewal. But while the achievement is worth acknowledging, the country cannot afford to linger in prolonged celebration or glorify the movement to the point that it overshadows the need to address urgent national problems. Bangladesh faces severe, immediate challenges — most critically the worsening water crisis, which threatens public health, agriculture and long-term stability. Therefore, the focus now must shift from political triumph to the everyday realities that determine people’s well-being. To build a future worthy of the revolution that inspired so much hope, Bangladesh needs to channel its energy into addressing basic needs and solving the structural issues that affect millions.
The nation already has a relatively robust institutional framework in water and climate governance, but there are still gaps that need to be addressed. For instance, overlapping institutional mandates and poor coordination often hinder the implementation of effective strategies, and cause redundant spending and overlapping initiatives. This can be partially tackled by centralising water-climate coordination to avoid overlaps and align planning. Even if multiple agencies work in tandem, they need to develop a shared data system and joint planning for major projects such as river management, groundwater extraction and urban water supply.
The second issue is weak enforcement of environmental regulation. While Bangladesh has strong laws on paper, enforcement of laws on industrial waste and water pollution is inconsistent. Industries often discharge untreated chemicals into waterways (eg: river), and penalties are poorly enforced. There are several ways to handle this, including training more inspectors, equipping the Department of Environment with water-quality monitoring systems, and enforcing strict fines (or shutdown mechanisms) for repeat polluters. As political corruption plays a role in this sphere, success of law enforcement largely depends on the leadership’s political will and transparency.
Third, there is inadequate support for local governments — where water management actually takes place — and inadequate community integration. For example, the local authorities often do not get sufficient training, funds and resources to maximise their ability to operate. Simultaneously, many projects fail because local communities are not consulted or fully involved in planning and maintenance. To navigate this, the central government should allocate proper resources (including training) to local water authorities, which in turn need to empower local communities to take an active role in their own water systems, with dedicated maintenance budgets. Additionally, climate adaptation measures must be incorporated into local development plans, not merely national strategies.
Beyond gaps in water and climate governance is the realm of technology. To effectively address water scarcity and safeguard Bangladesh’s future, a smart and efficient adoption of technology is essential. Examples include the rooftop rainwater harvesting system that assists households and communities store water during the rainy season for use during times of shortage. In coastal regions, where saltwater intrusion contaminates drinking supplies, solar-powered pond sand filters with reverse osmosis provide a sustainable and renewable energy-based solution. These are not new tools in Bangladesh, but how they are adopted and maintained needs a fresh approach and thinking.
Zooming out further, the water crisis in Bangladesh is equally connected to geopolitical factors. Many of the country’s rivers originate in neighbouring India, whose control over key infrastructures like the Farakka Barrage and the Teesta River dams has led to reduced water flow during the dry season and sudden flooding during the monsoon. Addressing this imbalance requires more than technological fixes; it demands stronger diplomacy, water-sharing agreements and sustained international engagement. Global collaboration, particularly with countries experienced in water innovation, could provide both technical and financial support for infrastructure development. Similar to the large-scale desalination and water initiatives undertaken by Gulf nations, this kind of cooperation would not only address Bangladesh’s immediate needs but also strengthen long-term resilience.
Other factors such as poverty, rapid urbanisation and population growth too need to be addressed. Sustainable city planning can immensely benefit Bangladesh given its huge human capital. Besides, education and awareness campaigns about water scarcity are critical to shape the mindset and habit of the public. After all, natural resource consumption and climate change are closely related to human activities and the latter can only change with value cultivation and self-discipline.
Conclusion
BANGLADESH is entering a new chapter. After the July 2024 revolution, the country is now at a turning point, which offers a real opportunity for change. This is the moment for Bangladesh to use its greatest strength, its people, to benefit its most precious belonging, its people. The nation’s youth, experts and innovators must now step forward to lead solutions in tackling water scarcity. By leveraging global collaborations and technologies while investing in indigenous talent and knowledge, Bangladesh can reshape its future and bring the July 2024 revolution victory to another step — the water revolution.
Raqiyo Hassan, Alaa Alhamaidat and Khadijah Omoyele are environmental science students at Guidance Academy in South Milwaukee, Wisconsin, United States. Raudah Yunus is a researcher, public health specialist and environmental science educator.
