Background
The Equitable and Sustainable WASH services in Bangladesh Delta Plan Hotspots Project implemented by BRAC, with support from IRC aims to enhance WASH services in four climate hotspots, covering 45 sub-districts across 14 districts. The project has incorporated innovative approaches and strategies to reach about one (1) million people with access to safe water and sanitation in communities and schools in climate-vulnerable hard-to-reach areas. The overarching goal of the project is to promote and deliver safe water and sanitation services by increasing access to finance (alternative finance and grants), strengthening local institutions, introducing sustainable and climate-resilient technologies and service delivery models. The project is expected to not only serve the people of the four climatic hotspots but also to generate substantial knowledge for similar other efforts in Bangladesh and beyond.
As part of the project, BRAC and IRC are organising this Water Hackathon to bring together diverse stakeholders—such as community members, entrepreneurs, technologists, and development practitioners—to co-create innovative, practical solutions to the pressing safe water crisis in coastal Bangladesh. It aims to foster local ownership, bridge the gap between expert intentions and community adoption, and shift mindsets from dependency to agency.
Deeper understanding of the problem and its context
Coastal regions of Bangladesh face significant water challenges due to salinity intrusion, contamination, and inadequate infrastructure. There is a need gap for appropriate and context specific water supply technologies for households and commercial use. The geographical location and climate vulnerabilities of Bangladesh lead to salinity intrusion, affecting drinking water supplies and agricultural productivity. Frequent cyclones and poor infrastructure exacerbate these issues, highlighting the need for affordable and sustainable solutions that incorporate local knowledge.
Limited Access to Appropriate Technologies: The development and dissemination of water supply technologies capable of desalinating or treating brackish water are insufficient. While technologies like Pond Sand Filters (PSF) have been introduced, their coverage is limited.
Infrastructure and Maintenance Challenges: Coastal regions face infrastructural challenges, including inadequate roads and power supply, hindering the installation and maintenance of water supply systems. Additionally, the harsh environmental conditions, such as high salinity and frequent flooding, accelerate the deterioration of water infrastructure, leading to increased maintenance costs.
Financial Constraints: The economic limitations of households and businesses in coastal Bangladesh restrict their ability to invest in advanced water treatment technologies. Many rely on unsafe water sources due to the high costs associated with installing and maintaining desalination or purification systems.
Environmental Variability: The dynamic coastal environment, characterised by changing tides, monsoons, and flood risks, poses challenges for designing reliable water supply systems. These systems must be resilient to environmental fluctuations to ensure consistent water availability.
Policy and Research Gaps: There is a need for more targeted research and policy interventions focused on developing and implementing water supply technologies tailored to the unique challenges of coastal Bangladesh. Enhanced coordination among government bodies, NGOs, and local communities is essential to address these challenges effectively.
What do we want
We are looking for solutions for safe drinking water and want to promote innovative water solutions that are culturally acceptable, affordable, scalable and demonstrate clear benefits to the community by merging local insights with technical expertise. The solution can be at the stage of ideation, pilot, or scaled implementation, addressing:
- Community-led co-creation
- Innovation
- Impact
- Feasibility
- Scalability
