THE world is facing a serious water crisis, with 26 per cent of the global population still lacking access to safe drinking water, and a staggering 46 per cent are deprived of basic sanitation facilities. These alarming statistics, revealed in the UN World Water Development Report 2023, serve as a grim reminder of how far we are from achieving Sustainable Development Goal 6, which aims to ensure safe water and sanitation for all by 2030. While this goal is part of the broader Sustainable Development Goals, the reality paints a stark contrast, leaving millions vulnerable to preventable diseases and hardships. The global crisis is mirrored within Bangladesh, where similar challenges continue to undermine public health and dignity.
听
Access to safer water at schools
WITHIN our borders, the situation mirrors this grim reality. A 2022 survey by UNICEF and the World Health Organisation exposed the harsh reality faced by schoolchildren in Bangladesh. Over three million children lack access to safe drinking water and proper sanitation in schools, putting 8.5 million students at significant health risks.
To make matters worse, nearly 19 per cent of schools have no access to clean water, and 7 per cent operate without any water, sanitation, or hygiene facilities. Imagine how these gaps impact young learners鈥� health, dignity, and education!
The lack of separate toilets for boys and girls in 43 per cent of schools further perpetuates gender inequality, while the absence of basic hygiene measures, like handwashing with soap, in 44 per cent of schools highlights an urgent need for better infrastructure and awareness. A Somoy TV report earlier this year painted a grim picture, revealing that most schools in Pirojpur still grapple with inadequate water and sanitation facilities.
听
Need for stronger infrastructure
THESE challenges highlight the urgent need for stronger policy frameworks and more robust implementation of existing ones. The National Water Policy of Bangladesh, enacted in 1999, aimed to ensure safe water access for all by 2025. However, despite its well-intentioned goals, the policy鈥檚 implementation has been slow due to several critical challenges:听
Funding gaps: The lack of consistent funding for water infrastructure projects, especially in rural areas, means that many areas still lack the necessary resources for clean water and sanitation systems.
Lack of enforcement: There are significant gaps in enforcing water quality standards and sanitation regulations, particularly in informal settlements and rural schools.
Limited focus on rural areas: While urban areas like Dhaka see some improvements in water access, rural and remote regions are often left behind.
For SDG-6 to be achieved by 2030, the government must not only enforce existing policies but also focus on strengthening institutional coordination, improving funding, and investing in sustainable infrastructure, especially in rural schools and underserved areas. A comprehensive approach should include collaboration with local authorities, NGOs, and international organizations. For example, the Water Supply and Sanitation Policy must integrate specific goals for rural water systems and school sanitation facilities.
Public-private partnerships must also be prioritised, particularly to address the infrastructure gaps in rural schools. By engaging businesses in the effort to improve access to safe water and sanitation, the government can leverage resources to create more robust systems for the long term.
听
Role of awareness
THIS issue is not just about the government 鈥� it鈥檚 something we all need to take responsibility for. A big part of the problem lies in a lack of awareness, both individually and collectively. Take Rahman Mollah, for instance, a press worker in Dhaka鈥檚 Bangla Bazar. When asked about the water he drinks, his response was eye-opening: 鈥榊es, we have water to drink, but we never really think about where it comes from or whether it鈥檚 safe.鈥櫶齏hen it came to sanitation, his view was just as concerning: 鈥榃e听have a sanitation system here, and everyone at the presses uses it. Since so many people use it, it seems like it鈥檚 working fine. But whether it鈥檚 actually healthy or proper, we don鈥檛 really know. We just assume it鈥檚 enough for us and don鈥檛 expect much more.鈥�
Rahman鈥檚 words reveal a troubling truth 鈥� a lack of awareness and concern that many people share. This indifference contributes to the neglect of basic needs like clean water and proper sanitation. Changing this mindset is crucial. Raising awareness, alongside strong government policies, can help shift our thinking and create accountability at every level 鈥� so that everyone, from individuals to policymakers, understands the importance of clean water and sanitation.
听
Health risks and waterborne diseases
THE health implications are devastating. Waterborne diseases continue to wreak havoc across the country, with Madaripur reporting a sharp rise in cases in October 2024, worsened by seasonal floods. These local issues mirror a global crisis鈥攅very year, 1.5 million people worldwide are affected by waterborne diseases, with 842,000 losing their lives prematurely. Among them, diarrhoea alone claims the lives of nearly 395,000 children under five annually.
For the past 20 years, over 900 families in Tahirpur, Sunamganj, have been suffering from a lack of clean drinking water. They have to travel 1.5 kilometres over hilly terrain to collect water. Due to the scarcity of clean water, they have been facing difficulties and have to rely on traditional methods to collect, purify, and drink water from far away.
In Dhaka, the situation is even more alarming with rapidly depleting groundwater levels, which drop by 2-3 meters annually, exacerbating concerns about water shortages and flood risks. Alarmingly, studies have shown that one-third of Bangladesh鈥檚 water sources exceed WHO鈥檚 manganese standards, and 41 per cent of people consume water laced with faecal matter. E. coli bacteria, a major culprit behind diarrhoea, has also been detected in one-third of urban households鈥� water supplies.
听
Hidden danger of PFAS chemicals
A RECENT report by the Environment and Social Development Organisation unveiled another alarming threat 鈥� PFAS chemicals in Dhaka鈥檚 water sources. Known as 鈥榝orever chemicals鈥� because they don鈥檛 break down easily, these toxins seep into water supplies through everyday items like non-stick cookware, firefighting foam, and even cosmetics.
PFAS exposure has been linked to serious health issues, including cancer, hormone disruptions, complications during pregnancy, and even a weakened response to vaccines. Immediate action is necessary to regulate and remove these harmful chemicals from our water sources.
听
Looking ahead: what can we do?
THE clock is ticking 鈥� 2030 is fast approaching, with only a little over five years left to achieve these goals. Achieving SDG-6 will require coordinated efforts from grassroots awareness campaigns to robust government policies. Industries, schools, and communities must join hands to create a healthier, safer future.
We must raise awareness about the importance of clean water, proper sanitation, and hygiene practices like handwashing. Schools, local leaders, and the media all have a vital role in spreading the word and creating change. But awareness alone isn鈥檛 enough; we also need to engage with our communities, encouraging everyone to take responsibility for their water sources and sanitation facilities while promoting education and regular upkeep.
The government also needs to invest in better infrastructure, especially in rural areas and schools, to ensure safe drinking water and separate toilets for boys and girls. Additionally, we must push for stronger policies that prioritise water safety, sanitation, and the removal of harmful chemicals like PFAS from our water sources.
Only through these collective efforts can we ensure that clean, safe water and sanitation are available to everyone by 2030.
听
Nafew Sajed Joy is a writer and researcher.
