The state of drinking & kitchen water in Bangladesh’s divisional cities — what’s happening, why it matters, and what you can do today

Access to safe drinking and kitchen water is essential for health, food safety and daily life. In Bangladesh’s divisional cities — Dhaka, Chattogram (Chittagong), Khulna, Rajshahi, Sylhet, Barishal, Rangpur and Mymensingh — the situation has improved in some ways but remains fragile and uneven. Multiple, overlapping problems (microbial contamination, arsenic, salinity, industrial pollution and ageing distribution systems) mean many households cannot reliably depend on their tap or shallow-well water for drinking and kitchen use without treatment. Below I summarize the current picture, explain the main risks, give practical household guidance, and suggest ways communities and authorities can act. If you find this useful please share — clean water is a public issue that spreads only when more people know about it.

Quick snapshot — the most important numbers

An estimated ~59% of Bangladesh’s population has access to safely managed drinking water services — but that leaves many urban households vulnerable to unsafe sources or intermittent piped supply. UNICEF DATA+1
Tens of millions remain exposed to arsenic in groundwater: interventions have helped, but arsenic in tube wells is still a major public-health problem in Bangladesh. Low-cost information and mitigation programs reduce exposure, but the problem persists. PMC+1
Microbial contamination is widespread (poor households show very high rates of E. coli contamination in drinking water in some surveys), meaning diarrhoeal and other waterborne illnesses are still an everyday risk for vulnerable families. WaterAid

What’s driving the water problems in divisional cities?

1. Aging or inadequate piped systems and intermittent supply

Many city water utilities suffer from old pipelines, low pressure and intermittent service. Intermittent supply allows contaminated groundwater or sewage to intrude into pipes through leaks, causing microbial contamination at consumer taps even if source water is treated. In Chattogram, for example, household surveys and water testing show a high share of residents consider CWASA (the city utility) water unsafe for direct drinking. PMC

2. Microbial pollution (faecal contamination)

Sanitation infrastructure gaps, leaking septic systems, and poor drainage mean bacteria commonly contaminate drinking sources — especially where source protection is weak or households collect and store water in unsafe containers. This is a leading cause of diarrhoeal disease and other infections. WaterAid+1

3. Chemical hazards: arsenic, salinity, industrial pollutants (PFAS, heavy metals)

Arsenic: Decades after shallow tube wells expanded access to groundwater, arsenic remains a chronic problem in many parts of the country. Millions still draw water above WHO’s guideline for arsenic. PMC+1
Salinity: Coastal cities and districts face seawater intrusion and saline aquifers, limiting the suitability of groundwater for drinking and cooking. WaterAid+1
Industrial pollutants: Recent studies have detected persistent “forever chemicals” (PFAS) and other industrial contaminants near textile and tannery areas — a rising concern for urban water supplies near manufacturing hubs. The Guardian+1

4. Groundwater over-extraction and climate impacts

Rapid urban growth and increasing municipal and private pumping lower water tables, change aquifer chemistry, and worsen salinity in coastal areas — effects that are amplified by extreme weather and sea-level rise. These trends make long-term water security more uncertain. WaterAid+1

What this means for drinking and kitchen water at home

Tap water may be microbiologically unsafe even when it looks clear: contamination can happen in the network or during storage. Boiling kills microbes but does not remove arsenic, salinity, or many industrial chemicals (PFAS). WaterAid+1
Shallow wells and tube wells may be free of microbes but contaminated by arsenic or salinity — they should be tested, labeled and, if unsafe, avoided for drinking and cooking. PMC+1
Bottled water is not always a guaranteed solution: quality varies and cost makes it unsustainable for everyday household use for many families.

Practical, reliable steps households can take (household checklist)

Test your water source (microbial and chemical tests): If you use a private well or well-connected tap, get it tested by a reputable lab or local authority. (This is the single most effective first step.) PMC+1
Treat for microbes when needed: Boiling, chlorine/chlorine tablets, or solar disinfection (SODIS) reliably kill bacteria and viruses. Use for drinking, cooking water and washing fresh produce. World Health Organization
For arsenic or salinity: use treatment systems designed for those contaminants (certified arsenic filters, reverse osmosis, or safe piped supplies where available). Boiling does not remove arsenic or salt. Consider community rainwater harvesting where feasible. PMC+1
Safe storage: use clean, covered containers with a narrow mouth and a tap if possible; clean them regularly to avoid recontamination. WaterAid
If using municipal piped water: fill containers when pressure is highest, avoid using taps during low-pressure periods when contamination risk is higher, and consider point-of-use disinfection as a precaution. PMC+1
Be cautious near industrial areas: if you live or source water near textile/tannery clusters, prioritize testing for industrial chemicals and heavy metals. The Guardian+1

What local authorities, utilities and communities need to do

Scale up routine testing and transparent reporting of both microbial and chemical contaminants for urban water utilities and community supply points. Households need clear, local test results. UNICEF DATA+1
Fix and upgrade distribution networks to stop leaks and prevent intrusion during low-pressure periods. Investment in proper treatment plants, network rehabilitation, and non-revenue water reduction pays off quickly by improving safety. PMC
Targeted mitigation in arsenic/saline hotspots: provide alternative safe sources (piped water, deep safe aquifers, treated surface water or well-managed rainwater harvesting), and subsidize household-level solutions for the poorest households. PMC+1
Regulate and monitor industrial effluent rigorously (textile, tannery and chemical dischargers), and enforce treatment-before-discharge standards to protect urban surface and groundwater. Recent findings on PFAS and other pollutants show urgent need for tighter controls. The Guardian+1

How NGOs, businesses and citizens can help right now

Support community testing campaigns and local awareness drives about arsenic, salinity and microbial risks. Information works: low-cost informational interventions have reduced arsenic exposure in Bangladesh. PMC
Push for transparent utility dashboards (water quality, pressure, service hours) and community liaison mechanisms with city water utilities. UNICEF DATA
Encourage workplaces, schools and markets to treat and test their water supplies — kitchens serving food must have safe water for washing and cooking.

Plain-language summary (shareable)

Many divisional cities in Bangladesh still face a mixed picture: while access to water has expanded, quality is not guaranteed. Water may be unsafe due to bacteria, arsenic, salinity or industrial pollutants. Households should test their sources, use microbial treatments (boiling/chlorination) when needed, and choose arsenic- or salinity-specific filters where required. Local authorities must speed up testing, fix leaky networks and control industrial pollution. Share this post to help neighbours and decision-makers act faster.

Useful resources and next steps

If you live in a divisional city: contact your city water utility (e.g., DWASA/CWASA/Khulna WASA etc.) to request water-quality results for your area. Local public health or DPHE offices can also arrange testing. PMC+1
Follow guidance from WHO/UNICEF JMP, WaterAid and UNICEF Bangladesh for practical household WASH measures and community interventions. UNICEF DATA+2WaterAid+2