A cross-sectional view of the drinking water scenario in a climate-stressed setting: Case study from southwestern Bangladesh

This cross-sectional study examines the drinking water crisis in five highly water-stressed upazilas of southwestern Bangladesh, assessing quality, availability, accessibility, and costs. Key factors include water source reliability, unavailability duration, collection burden, ownership, and socio-economic disparities. Using TDS/Conductivity meters, the study found high salinity levels in community hand tubewells (1733 mg/L) and ponds (1330 mg/L), exceeding the Bangladesh national TDS standard. On average, water unavailability lasts up to 4.65 months annually. Spatial variability highlights Paikgacha's severe unavailability (7.15 months) compared to Koyra's shorter duration (2.84 months). Limited ownership (16 %) of water sources and reliance on external sources underscore access barriers. Affordability pressures are acute: low-income households allocate up to 4 % of their monthly income to drinking water, exacerbating vulnerabilities. Women and adolescent girls (∼80 %) bear the burden of water collection, while indigenous minorities face prolonged unavailability (6.85 months) with minimal ownership (2 %). Findings suggest policy should focus on reliability and equity, not just expanding coverage. Options include a low-cost lifeline block and targeted vouchers or discounts, paid for by cross-subsidies; extending pipes first to areas with the longest shortages; sizing rainwater-harvesting systems for the dry months; and inclusive governance with seats for women and indigenous peoples, and help with connection fees. By pinpointing where constraints bind and who is left behind, the study informs practical pathways toward SDG 6.1 in climate-stressed coastal settings.