The Promise and Challenges of Rainwater Harvesting in Coastal Bangladesh: Socio-Economic Influences

Bangladesh’s tropical monsoon climate brings abundant rainfall, offering a potential solution to the challenge of safe drinking water access, especially in the country’s saline-prone southwestern regions. Rainwater harvesting (RWH) presents a sustainable, environmentally-conscious method for addressing this need. To better understand the factors influencing RWH adoption, a study was conducted in Mongla upazila (sub-district) of Bagerhat District. This blog focused on the villages of Kanainagar and Kainmari in the Chandpai union, investigating how socio-economic conditions shape rainwater harvesting practices.

Indigenous Knowledge and Emerging Challenges

The people of Mongla, with their rich tradition of rainwater harvesting, demonstrate remarkable resilience. They have been employing their indigenous knowledge and methods for collection and storage, showcasing a unique approach to water management. However, an in-depth analysis of the socio-economic factors influencing the success and scalability of RWH initiatives needs to be improved. This study used questionnaires to identify the key drivers and barriers households face when seeking to optimize the benefits of rainwater harvesting.

Problem:

• While Bangladesh receives ample rainfall, access to safe drinking water is a challenge, especially in saline-prone areas.
• Rainwater harvesting (RWH) is a promising solution, but its adoption is influenced by socio-economic factors, which are not fully understood.

Study Area and Aim:

• Location: Mongla upazila, Bagerhat District, southwestern Bangladesh (Kanainagar and Kainmari villages)
• Aim: Investigate how socio-economic factors affect RWH adoption in this region.

Findings: Adoption, Socio-Economic Factors, and Uses

The study revealed that RWH is widely practised in Kanainagar and Kainmari villages, serving as a primary source of drinking water during the rainy season, summer, and often beyond. Villagers have been collecting rainwater for the past 25-30 years. Household income levels were a significant factor, with Kanainagarprimarily comprisingimpoverished residents. At the same time,Kainmari has a mix of middle-class and poor households. The type of roofing material also influences adoption, as corrugated iron sheets make collection easier than traditional thatched roofs, which require additional preparation.

A significant challenge lies in the limited financial capacity of many households, a barrier that urgently needs to be addressed. This restriction hampers their ability to invest in adequate storage tanks and equipment, hindering the full utilization of rainwater, especially in poorer communities. Most households reported insufficient rainwater storage despite abundant rainfall during certain seasons. When households need more means to store water effectively, they must collect water from ponds or purchase it from the market, which can compromise water quality and increase household expenses.

Water Utilization Patterns

Rainwater is primarily used for drinking, while pond water is often designated for washing, bathing, and other non-potable purposes. Gender roles play a part in water management; women, daughters, husbands, and other family members typically share water-collecting responsibilities.

Storage Methods and Water Quality

Households utilize diverse containers for storing rainwater, including plastic tanks, mud-made pots, drums, and smaller vessels like buckets and cooking pots. In Kainmari, some households use larger concrete tanks, reflecting their potentially better financial situation than Kanainagar. Water quality remains a concern, with issues like worms and dirt contamination being common. Households employ filtering techniques using sieves, as well as Fitkiri (crystals) and “Joler Doctor” (Sodium Hypochlorite Solution), provided by a local NGO, to purify stored rainwater and pond water.

The Need for Support and Expansion

The study highlights a strong need for increased support, particularly for poorer households. Targeted interventions should focus on expanding the number and capacity of water tanks at both the individual and community levels. This is crucial to allow adequate rainwater storage and access during periods of reduced rainfall.

Training initiatives are also recommended to empower households with comprehensive knowledge of RWH design, implementation, storage, and best practices. This will optimize the use of available rainwater resources. It’s worth noting that while many microcredit organizations operate in Mongla, none currently offer targeted loan programs for rainwater harvesting infrastructure. Developing specific micro-credit facilities akin to those supporting solar energy could significantly improve RWH access for economically disadvantaged communities.

Conclusion and Recommendations

The study concludes that socio-economic factors play a pivotal role in shaping the adoption and success of rainwater harvesting in coastal Bangladesh. While there has been progress in RWH access over time, there is an urgent need for interventions supporting poorer households and communities:

• Subsidies or micro-credit for RWH equipment
• Community-based RWH systems
• RWH-specific training programs
• Collaboration between government and NGOs for effective implementation

By addressing these challenges, Bangladesh can unlock the full potential of rainwater harvesting and ensure access to safe drinking water for its coastal communities, particularly those most vulnerable.

Reflecting on the above rainwater harvesting study in coastal Bangladesh, I found the experience both enlightening and humbling. The resilience and adaptability of the people in Mongla Upazila, particularly in Kanainagar and Kainmari villages, were genuinely inspiring. Witnessing their resourceful ways of harnessing rainwater, a vital resource in their saline-prone environment, underscored the importance of community-driven solutions and traditional ecological knowledge. The study highlighted the socio-economic factors influencing rainwater harvesting adoption and the challenges these communities face. It was disheartening to learn about the financial constraints limiting many households’ ability, especially in Kanainagar, to invest in adequate storage facilities. This underscored the urgent need for targeted interventions and support mechanisms to ensure equitable access to safe drinking water.

One of my key takeaways was realising that sustainable solutions must be rooted in understanding the local context. The study emphasized the importance of considering socio-economic dynamics, cultural practices, and existing indigenous knowledge when designing and implementing rainwater harvesting initiatives. It also highlighted the crucial role of collaboration between government agencies, NGOs, and local communities in ensuring the success and sustainability of such projects. The experience also reinforced my belief in the power of research to inform policy and drive positive change. The study’s findings can be used to advocate for policies that promote rainwater harvesting, support vulnerable communities, and address the challenges hindering wider adoption. It also underscored the need for continued research to monitor the long-term impacts of rainwater harvesting and identify innovative solutions for improving water quality and storage capacity.

In theupcoming time, I am dedicated to utilizing the insights gained from this study to help create sustainable water management solutions in coastal Bangladesh and other regions. I am confident that by collaborating, we can fullyutilize rainwater harvesting to guarantee access to safe drinking water for everyone, while also supporting environmental conservation and community resilience.

Makame Mahmud
-Wetland Management Specialist, Center For Natural Resource Studies(CNRS)