Unplanned urbanisation and drinking water insecurity in Faridpur City, Bangladesh

Water scarcity poses a significant challenge in secondary cities of the Global South, notably Faridpur, Bangladesh, where unplanned urbanisation, climate variability, and governance deficiencies converge. This qualitative study utilises purposive sampling and semi-structured interviews with 20 residents to investigate the socio-ecological and gendered facets of drinking water insecurity. Thematic analysis conducted via NVivo 12 revealed critical issues including dependence on diminishing groundwater resources, insufficient municipal infrastructure, and increasing water privatisation. Findings reveal those residents – especially women – face significant time burdens, health risks from unsafe water storage, and frequent harassment during water collection. The study further identifies financial burdens associated with bottled water consumption, health risks arising from inadequate storage practices, and safety concerns experienced by women during water collection. Water quality assessments were benchmarked against WHO guidelines to contextualise findings. The research highlights the imperative for enhanced water governance and equitable resource access, contributing to the achievement of Sustainable Development Goal 6. The findings offer actionable recommendations for policymakers and non-governmental organisations addressing urban water insecurity in resource-constrained settings such as Faridpur.