Image: Laili Akter fills a water pitcher from a tap in her home connected to the safe water network in Kalishakhali village, Bangladesh. (Md. Dipu/CPI)
In Kalishakhali village, Bangladesh, resident Laili Akter spent hours each day collecting water, often from wells that were dry or contaminated. Her young daughter bathed in nearby ponds, frequently developing rashes and fevers.
“I used to collect water at the nearest well, but often there was no water, so I had to go further away,” Laili recalls. “It would take longer and, sometimes, that well would be dry too. It would take ages just to fill one pitcher. The water was often dirty, and I would have to strain it.”
Laili’s story reflects a broader crisis: over 70 million people in Bangladesh, 41% of the population, lack safely-managed drinking water. Urban access has improved by more than 50% since 2015, but rural access has slightly declined, highlighting the difficulty of reaching remote communities.
“Safely-managed” means drinking water from an improved source that is accessible on premises, available when needed, and free from faecal and priority chemical contamination.
Another serious threat is arsenic. A 2002 study found nearly half of the samples from 112 tube wells throughout Bangladesh exceeded World Health Organization guidelines. Arsenic is most common at depths under 100 meters, while deeper wells, 150 meters or more below ground, generally provide safer water.
Kalishakhali is in Barisal, the poorest of Bangladesh’s eight divisions, where over a quarter of the population lives in poverty. Women traditionally collect water for the household. Many relied on shallow wells that often ran dry or broke, forcing long, exhausting walks to deep tube wells. Limited water for washing meant children frequently bathed in ponds, leading to illness.
In 2024, Community Partners International (CPI) helped Kalishakhali build a safe water network. The system includes a deep tube well, a high-capacity raised water tank, and a pipe network delivering water directly into homes. Regular testing ensures it remains safe.
For Laili, the difference is profound. “Now that I have running water in my home, I save a lot of time,” she says. “I have more time for sewing and preparing food for my daughter. My daughter can now wash in safe water, so I don’t have to worry about her getting sick or doctors’ costs.”
Households pay a small monthly fee covering electricity, tank cleaning, and maintenance. Surplus funds help fund new networks in other villages, creating a revolving model to bring safe water into more homes.
Sobhan, chair of Kalishakhali’s water network, emphasizes the impact: “More than a hundred families benefit from it. And, because of this, children in this area are safe from diseases. There are a lot of places like this where people have similar problems. If they can get a water network like us, it will greatly improve their lives.”
Safe water changes everything: it protects health, saves time, and helps families thrive. But millions in Bangladesh still face the daily struggle that Laili once did.
You can bring safe water to more communities like Kalishakhali. Your support will extend the reach of sustainable water networks and create lasting impact for families in need.
Donate today
Community Partners International (CPI) empowers vulnerable communities in Asia affected by conflict, disasters, and poverty to meet their essential health, humanitarian, and sustainable development needs.
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