Salinity intrusion has made many areas of our coastal districts uninhabitable, leading to loss of farmland and livelihoods, and in severe cases, internal displacement. One of the significant impacts of increased salinity is its effect on human health when ingested through drinking water, resulting in various ailments.
Despite experiencing moderate to heavy rainfall for six to seven months annually, traditional methods of rainwater harvesting, such as using earthen pots and kitchenware, are insufficient to meet the demand, especially during the prolonged dry months.
To address this issue, various NGOs and government agencies have been providing larger rainwater harvesting systems to coastal communities. Building upon this practice, BRAC, in collaboration with the Danish Ministry of Foreign Affairs, is implementing an innovative project in Bagerhat’s Mongla Upazila, aiming to install thousands of systems at household, institutional, and community levels.
Under the project titled ‘Enhancing safe drinking water security and climate resilience through rainwater harvesting,’ BRAC is installing 5,390 RWHS in the six unions in Mongla, with more than half already installed. Households receive 2,000-liter tanks, while institutional and community levels have storage capacities ranging from 20,000 to 120,000 liters.
These larger systems have tangible benefits, as demonstrated by a 40,000-liter system installed at Chandpai Mehershah Secondary School, ensuring fresh drinking water for its 300 students for over four months.
The impact of these systems is evident in the testimonials of beneficiaries. Students like Sumaya Akter Raisa now have access to fresh drinking water at school, eliminating the need to consume untreated pond water, which often led to health issues like diarrhea.
Similarly, individuals like Sabita Biswas from Chila Union have more time for other chores as they no longer need to fetch water from distant sources. The installation of larger tanks highlights the importance of scalability in addressing the drinking water crisis.
However, challenges remain in maintaining these systems beyond the project’s duration. Past experiences with poorly maintained facilities underscore the need for community involvement and sustainable funding mechanisms.
BRAC’s approach includes forming water management committees to oversee maintenance and generating revenue through water sales to ensure sustainability. Additionally, exploring funding options from climate funds like GCF or corporate social responsibility (CSR) initiatives could further support these projects.
While rainwater harvesting systems alleviate the drinking water crisis, challenges persist due to factors like reduced freshwater supply from the Ganges river system and unsustainable shrimp farming practices. Addressing these issues requires collaborative efforts at local and national levels to ensure the long-term sustainability of freshwater resources in coastal areas.
