Scarcity and survival: The growing cost of Bangladesh’s water crisis

Water is crucial not only for sustaining life but also for driving economic development — shaping agriculture, industry, public health, and social welfare. 

In Bangladesh, where high population density, climate vulnerability, and a predominantly agriculture-based economy intersect, the escalating water scarcity crisis is no longer a distant concern — it is an urgent and immediate threat. 

Data from 2024–2025 show that this problem is already jeopardising livelihoods, raising economic costs, and undermining national development goals.

Water scarcity in Bangladesh is now affecting millions in both rural and urban areas. Although notable progress has been made — such as the expansion of irrigation systems and the promotion of surface water use — the severity of the crisis continues to intensify. 

Without immediate and scaled-up action, Bangladesh risks failing to meet key Sustainable Development Goals (particularly SDG 6: Clean Water and Sanitation), with serious long-term consequences for public health, food security, and economic stability.

The government has introduced a range of strategic policies aimed at ensuring sustainable water management. The National Water Policy (1999), the National Water Management Plan (2001), and the long-term Delta Plan 2100 provide frameworks for water allocation and conservation. More recently, the National Adaptation Plan (NAP) 2023–2050 has identified water resources as central to climate resilience, setting out measures to improve irrigation efficiency, expand surface water use, and strengthen governance.

Projects such as the Blue Gold Project, co-financed by the Netherlands, promote integrated water management in coastal regions to enhance agricultural productivity. Yet despite such initiatives, major challenges remain. 

Many policies are outdated or poorly enforced, government coordination is fragmented, and water-use data is frequently incomplete and obsolete. Financial and technical constraints also limit the adoption of water-saving technologies such as alternate wetting and drying (AWD), drip irrigation, and rainwater harvesting.

Dhaka, the capital with a population exceeding 20 million, is facing a severe groundwater crisis. Experts report an annual decline of 1 to 1.5 metres, with some areas seeing falls of 2 to 3 metres each year. Hand-pump wells, once effective at depths of 200 feet, are now running dry, forcing residents to invest in deep pumps or depend on wealthier neighbours. 

Although Dhaka WASA claims that 70% of the city's water supply comes from groundwater, critics argue that the heavy reliance on deep tube wells is worsening the crisis. If this trend continues, Dhaka's aquifers could face irreversible damage by the middle of the century.

In the southwestern coastal region, the situation is equally alarming. Residents of upazilas such as Koyra, Paikgachha, Dacope, Asashuni, and Shyamnagar are experiencing acute shortages of drinking water due to saltwater intrusion. 

Ponds and tube wells now show salinity levels exceeding 1,000 mg/L — far above the safe drinking standard. A UNDP survey in 2024 found that 73% of households in these areas are consuming unsafe water, resulting in rising cases of hypertension, waterborne disease, and maternal health complications.

Despite government spending of more than Tk525 crore across eight projects — including rainwater harvesting systems, reverse osmosis plants, and deep tube wells — most initiatives have failed to provide lasting solutions. Poor maintenance, limited community participation, and weak long-term planning mean many people still have to walk long distances for safe water or rely on unsafe alternatives.

Water scarcity threatens the very foundations of Bangladesh's economy: agriculture and industry. The Boro rice season is especially water-intensive, with over 70% of irrigation dependent on groundwater, particularly in northwestern districts such as Rajshahi and Naogaon. Salinity, silted canals, and declining water tables have already reduced crop yields and pushed up production costs.

Industries — particularly textiles, the country's leading export sector — also depend heavily on water for dyeing, washing, and cooling. Shortages and deteriorating water quality are beginning to disrupt industrial operations, especially in Savar and Gazipur, where surface water is polluted by untreated waste and heavy metals. Meanwhile, urban utilities face rising costs to purify contaminated water, costs that are ultimately borne by consumers.

Bangladesh can confront its water crisis through a holistic strategy that combines technology, policy, infrastructure, and community engagement. Promoting efficient irrigation methods such as AWD could cut agricultural water use by up to 30% without lowering yields, while investment in canals, dams, and reservoirs would reduce pressure on groundwater in vulnerable regions. Stronger regulation of extraction through monitoring, smart metering, and zoning is vital to protect urban aquifers, particularly in Dhaka. 

Expanding WASH sector funding would help secure safe water and sanitation for all, while better water quality monitoring — through modern laboratories, mobile units, and tighter pollution control — could safeguard resources against arsenic, pathogens, and industrial waste. Crucially, effective governance across ministries, along with active involvement from local communities, is essential for sustainable and inclusive water management.

The evidence from 2024–2025 makes clear that there is no room for complacency. From the sinking aquifers of Dhaka to the salinity-stricken villages of the southwest, water scarcity is already damaging health, livelihoods, and future resilience. 

If bold and coordinated measures are not implemented now, the crisis will deepen — threatening development progress, food and water security, and economic growth.

Yet Bangladesh still has an opportunity to turn this challenge into a catalyst for change. By embracing smarter water governance, prioritising targeted investment, and ensuring inclusive community participation, the country can build a safer, more sustainable, and more equitable water future.

Ahmed Shamir Sakir is a banker and can be reached at ahmedshamir082@gmail.com.

Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the opinions and views of The Business Standard.