Community Perception and Adaptation to Safe Drinking Water Scarcity: Salinity, Arsenic, and Drought Risks in Coastal Bangladesh

Abstract

One of the most serious resource and health issues in coastal communities of Bangladesh is the scarcity of safe drinking water, triggered by the combined effects of salinity, arsenic, and drought. This article explores community perception of vulnerabilities in daily life, livelihood, and environment, and investigates how communities and institutions cope with or adapt to drinking water scarcity. This study outlines community expectations for support from government and nongovernment organizations to overcome this problem. The findings reveal that nearly all respondents from the drinking water scarcity area perceive that salinity is the primary reason for the lack of safe drinking water compared to arsenic and drought hazards. Despite a number of socioeconomic factors and a geographical location that aggravates the coastal communities' vulnerability, these communities have established their own adaptation mechanism to cope with this crisis. Government and nongovernment organizations have also supported community efforts to cope with the problem. By emphasizing both community adaptation methods and efforts of institutions, this article illustrates an integrated community-based approach, which would be effective for reducing drinking water scarcity in the southwestern coastal region of the country.

Climate Change, Flood, Food Security and Human Health: Cross-Cutting Issues in Bangladesh

“…It is also the women, during the post-cyclone or longer-term fl ood period, who suffer more as they may to take less food for managing meals for other members of the household (Shimi et al 2010 ). Fetching safer drinking water for longer distance during the post-cyclone or fl ood period as well may have adverse health effects on women (Abedin et al 2014 ). For future issues, health programs such as diaarhoea, acute respiratory infection, water and sanitation should be accelerated as an integrated part of disaster management.…”

“…Long-term health problems such as mental health and intimate partner's violence/sexual violence particularly when people stay in a crowded situation in shelter are other public health challenges (Cash et al 2013 ;Nahar et al 2014 ). Additionally, impact on climate change on water salinity and its effects on health has been indicated (Abedin et al 2014 ;Vineis et al 2011 ;Khan et al 2008 ). Increased salinity of drinking water most likely adds risk to health such as hypertension.…”

Food Security and Risk Reduction in Bangladesh

“…During the cyclone in 1991, for example, the death rate was 71 per 1,000 among women aged 20-44, as compared to 15 per 1,000 for men in the same age group. Fetching safer drinking water for longer distance during the post-cyclone or fl ood period as well may have adverse health effects on women (Abedin et al 2014 ). Women may be more likely to be swept away by water of high winds.…”

“…It is also the women, during the post-cyclone or longer-term fl ood period, who suffer more as they may to take less food for managing meals for other members of the household (Shimi et al 2010 ). Additionally, impact on climate change on water salinity and its effects on health has been indicated (Abedin et al 2014 ;Vineis et al 2011 ;Khan et al 2008 ). For future issues, health programs such as diaarhoea, acute respiratory infection, water and sanitation should be accelerated as an integrated part of disaster management.…”

Future Melting Away: Water Stress As A Threat To Human Security In Bangladesh And The Role Of International Community

“…Excessive heat during the pre-monsoon, more extreme rainfall during the monsoon, or a shortage of rainfall in the post-monsoon and winter seasons may influence river flows and water availability (Rahman, 2017). Increasing temperatures during the dry pre-monsoon and winter seasons, for instance, have escalated water stress in the mitha pukur due to increased heat and decreasing rainfall; these conditions have worsened the recurrent droughts that dry up the ponds and constrain long-term water availability (Abedin, 2014).…”