Journal of Earth Science & Climatic Change
Open Access

Abstract

Bangladesh has made remarkable progress in providing basic water and sanitation services to people. It is now estimated that 87% of people in Bangladesh have access to improved drinking water source and 61% people in Bangladesh have access to improved sanitation. Bangladesh is the most vulnerable to climate change and people in coastal belt struggle round the year to obtain safe water. Considering climate change impact especially in coastal belt, BRAC WASH program provided climate resilient water technologies through private entrepreneurs in eight sub-districts. We developed 86 water entrepreneurs by installing reverse osmosis water filtration techniques and thus we reached approximately 11,000 people within two years. We also ensured that some water quality parameters tested (named as pH, arsenic, iron, manganese, chloride, total hardness, fecal coliform) from filtered water before serving to the people. The test result showed no harmful material obtained from water technologies. The diversification in water technologies is important to maximize the efficiency of filter chamber and to reduce waste water which ultimately will increase profitability of water business. Also we facilitated awareness raising program about climate change impact and disaster risk reduction and WASH. The positive side of water technologies is that people now become more aware to purchase pure water instead of free services and thus saline intrusion in the coastal belt has less impact in their livelihood. Both the technological solution and behavioral change program might bring healthy community in Bangladesh who is most vulnerable to climate change in terms of sustainability.

Biography

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