Bangladesh is facing mounting pressure on its freshwater resources as policymakers and experts warn that excessive reliance on groundwater is accelerating a broader crisis in access to safe drinking water.
Speaking at a World Water Day event in Dhaka, Local Government, Rural Development, and Cooperatives Minister Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir underscored the urgency of addressing the country’s deteriorating water quality and supply challenges.
“I feel deeply concerned when I hear that WASA water is unsafe,” he said. “The Chief Whip recently mentioned that even the water in Parliament is not fit for drinking. The biggest crisis in Dhaka right now is safe water. To protect Bangladesh, we must rethink these issues collectively.”
His remarks reflect growing concern that current extraction levels, particularly in densely populated urban centres, are no longer sustainable.
Dhaka, one of the world’s fastest-growing cities, has become heavily dependent on groundwater to meet daily demand. Officials say this overreliance is placing significant strain on aquifers, raising the risk of long-term depletion and threatening the stability of the capital’s water supply system. The situation is further compounded by climate change, rapid population growth and unplanned urban expansion, all of which are increasing demand while limiting natural recharge.
The challenge extends beyond supply constraints to issues of access and inequality. Low-income communities, especially those living in informal settlements, are disproportionately affected by shortages of safe drinking water. Limited infrastructure and poor service coverage mean these groups often rely on unsafe or irregular sources, increasing health risks and deepening socio-economic disparities.
Government representatives say efforts are underway to address these concerns through investment in infrastructure and improved water management strategies. Plans include expanding treatment facilities, restoring rivers and reservoirs, and adopting modern purification technologies to make surface water a more viable alternative.
However, experts caution that technical solutions alone will not be sufficient. Sustainable water management will require long-term planning, stronger institutional capacity and coordinated action between public and private stakeholders. Increasing public awareness around water conservation and pollution prevention is also seen as essential to protecting existing resources.
As Bangladesh navigates the pressures of climate change and urbanisation, the management of its water resources is emerging as a defining challenge with far-reaching implications for public health, environmental stability and long-term development.
