Drinking water management: Challenges and adaptive strategies in salinization-affected coastal communities of Bangladesh

Coastal regions worldwide are increasingly grappling with freshwater scarcity. The southwestern coastal region of Bangladesh faces severe freshwater scarcity from increased salinity intrusion in both surface and groundwater, exacerbated by climate change and anthropogenic activities. This study examines drinking water management challenges and adaptation strategies in a salinization-affected sub-district (Koyra) of Bangladesh. Using a mixed-methods approach, we found that while rainwater harvesting (RWH) is universally adopted during the monsoon, year-round access is limited by inadequate storage capacity and concerns over water quality. Households employ diverse storage methods, but a heavy reliance on untreated water persists, contributing to self-reported health risks, including hypertension, gastrointestinal diseases and menstrual problems. Gender-disaggregated analysis revealed women derive substantially greater protection from water treatment, particularly for gastrointestinal issues (prevalence ratio=4.14 vs 2.83 in men) and menstrual complications (82% prevalence in untreated users’ vs 19% in treated users). Thematic analysis identified infrastructure limitations as a critical barrier, while community-proposed solutions emphasized improved storage systems, affordable treatment options, and stronger institutional support. These findings highlight a need for integrated water management strategies combining appropriate technology, community education, and policy interventions to ensure water security in salinity-affected coastal regions. The study provides a methodological framework for conducting integrated water security assessments, offering insights with potential relevance for other climate-vulnerable deltaic regions. • Challenges and adaptive strategies in drinking water management in the salinization-affected region were examined. • 100% of households rely on rainwater during monsoon, but only 27% maintain year-round access. • The most reported health risks include hypertension, gastrointestinal diseases, and menstrual health complications. • Community solutions prioritize improved storage systems, affordable water treatment methods, and institutional support.