IN CONVERSATION WITH
Barriers and blessings of Bangladesh’s water infrastructure
Shramistha Debnath , executive engineer, Department of Public Health Engineering (DPHE) and Uttam Saha , Bangladesh country manager, Water and Sanitation for the Urban Poor (WSUP) share how water is managed in Bangladesh by both its government agency and a nonprofit organisation.
By Amira Yunos
Bangladesh’s water management faces both challenges and opportunities, according to experts (Image: iStock)
Tell us about Bangladesh’s water infrastructure, and how DPHE works to strengthen its resilience. Shramistha Debnath: Bangladesh, characterised by its vast river systems and low-lying topography, faces challenges in managing its water infrastructure. The country’s water infrastructure includes rivers, canals, embankments, sluices, dams, and an extensive network of water supply and sanitation facilities. Flooding, riverbank erosion, and saline intrusion are prevalent issues, exacerbated by climate change and rising sea levels. While progress has been made, Bangladesh’s water infrastructure still faces challenges, such as an ageing
infrastructure. Many water management structures are old and require upgrades to handle increasing pressures from population growth and climate change. Bangladesh also has water quality issues as contamination from industrial pollutants, agricultural runoff, and arsenic remains a concern. Bangladesh is crisscrossed by major rivers like the Ganges, Brahmaputra, and Meghna, along with their numerous tributaries. These rivers are vital for agriculture, transportation, and livelihoods but pose flooding and erosion risks. To protect against floods, Bangladesh has constructed numerous embankments and dams. However, many of
these structures are old and require regular maintenance and upgrades to withstand extreme weather events. The country relies heavily on irrigation for agriculture, particularly in the dry season. This includes a network of canals, pumps, and tube wells. Urban areas have more advanced water supply systems, including treatment plants and distribution networks. However, rapid urbanisation has strained these systems, leading to challenges in providing clean and safe water to all residents. Rural areas predominantly depend on groundwater sources, such as tube wells and hand pumps. Ensuring safe drinking water in these areas is challenging due to arsenic contamination
18 Water & Wastewater Asia | September-October 2024
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