Barishal: The Department of Public Health Engineering (DPHE) has initiated a project across 10 upazilas and the city corporation area of Barishal to provide access to safe drinking water and hygienic sanitation facilities. Under the nationwide Safe Water Supply Project, DPHE aims to install deep tube wells in every union of the district, alongside the construction of 6,000 hygienic toilets for extremely poor families under the Rural Sanitation Project.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, the DPHE plans to install eight deep tube wells in each union of the district. The selection of locations will consider groundwater levels, local requirements, and the needs of the people. The Barishal office of DPHE stated that beneficiaries would need to pay Taka 7,000 for a conventional tube well and Taka 10,000 for a submersible system. The government will cover around Taka 85,000 for each deep tube well installation, while costs for a submersible deep tube well might exceed Taka 200,000.
Safe drinking water availability poses challenges in several villages and remote unions of Barishal, particularly during the dry season when groundwater levels drop. This situation often makes it difficult to obtain sufficient water from conventional tube wells. In riverine and char areas, issues such as salinity and water contamination further complicate access to safe water.
In Barishal city, safe water supply is also a concern. Surface water treatment plants have been constructed at Rupatali and Beltala to cater to the city's water demand, with the Rupatali-1 plant recently reopening. However, the government's capacity for water quality testing remains a concern, as regular testing has faced disruptions due to equipment shortages at the Department of Environment's regional laboratory.
Sanitation is another major challenge for Barishal. National statistics indicate that the Barishal division lags behind others in the use of safe and hygienic toilets. Given the region's vulnerability to river crossings and disasters, many rural latrines become submerged during monsoons and tidal surges, increasing the risk of contamination and public health hazards.
In response, plans are underway to construct hygienic toilets for approximately 6,000 extremely poor families in the district under the Rural Sanitation Project. Each toilet is estimated to cost Taka 65,000, with the beneficiary family contributing Taka 5,000 as a service charge.
Local DPHE Executive Engineer Imran Torofdar informed BSS that priority would be given to areas facing water shortages and families without access to hygienic sanitation. He emphasized that the installation of deep tube wells would align with local needs in every union, while hygienic toilets would be prioritized for extremely poor families.
Officials noted that the project's success hinges on proper site selection, identifying genuine beneficiaries, and maintaining infrastructure post-construction. They also highlighted the need for developing climate-resilient water and sanitation infrastructure suitable for the riverine and char areas of the district.
Ensuring access to safe water and hygienic sanitation facilities is expected to improve the quality of life for people in remote areas of Barishal and reduce the risk of waterborne diseases, according to DPHE officials.