Drinking Water Purification Practices in the Coastal Regions of Bangladesh: Socioeconomic Conditions and Villager Recognition of Safe Drinking Water

Abstract

　Coastal Bangladesh experiences severe drinking water scarcity due to saline intrusion by cyclones and cultivation of shrimps.　This study aimed to identify whether the socioeconomic conditions and other factors affect drinking water purification practices of the villagers in coastal areas of Bangladesh.　To achieve this objective, a field survey was conducted in a village of Munshiganj Union, Shyamnagar Upazila, Satkhila District, from August 3, 2017 to September 22, 2017.

　Using a t-test, it was revealed socioeconomic conditions （annual income and educational background of the household head） are not the essential factors determining drinking water purification practices of the villagers residing in the coastal areas.　Moreover, regarding pond sand filters constructed by development agencies, it was found that villagers’ perceptions of safe drinking water and the results of simple water quality tests were not in accordance with each other.　Conversely, villagers’ perceptions and actual water quality were in accordance with each other for other drinking water sources, such as rainwater and ponds.　This study proposed that villagers residing in salinity-prone coastal areas perceived drinking water to be safe on the basis of its color, taste, temperature, and purification systems installed on sites of drinking water resources.　Villagers residing in salinity-affected areas pay attention to water temperature, as they purify water by boiling it when they find it very cold to consume.　Moreover, villagers perceive their drinking water as safe if there is a purification system installed on site.　This means villagers may consider their drinking water to be safe, although the purification system may not be functional and water quality may not be fit for consumption.　This study thus concludes that it is important to maintain and monitor water quality at such purification systems-installed drinking water sources.　This study further contributes toward the development of rural Bangladesh and, in particular, toward the water purification practices and villagers’ perceptions of safe drinking water in salinity-affected areas.

JEL Classifications:I12, Q01