Water Governance

Overview

Coastal water problems are not only hydrological; they are rooted in governance. Bangladesh’s National Water Policy (1999), adopted after consultations with government agencies and civil society, defines six objectives: equitable use and development of groundwater and surface water, universal availability of water, accelerating public and private water systems through legal and financial measures, institutional reforms that promote decentralization and enhance women’s roles in water management, a regulatory framework encouraging environmental considerations and private investment, and developing knowledge and capability to improve water-resources management. Despite this framework, implementation gaps persist, especially in coastal areas where overlapping mandates, limited local capacity and weak regulatory enforcement hinder access to safe water.

Sub-themes

1. Legal frameworks and policy coherence

Review the National Water Policy’s objectives and how they are being operationalized. Examine alignment with the Water Act 2013, National Policy for Safe Water Supply and Sanitation 1998 and National Policy for Arsenic Mitigation 2004. Identify gaps (e.g., lack of explicit obligations to provide safe water in rural coastal areas) and propose legal amendments or new regulations that clarify rights and responsibilities.

2. Institutional coordination and decentralization

Analyze the roles of the Dhaka, Chittagong and Khulna Water Supply and Sewerage Authorities, the Department of Public Health Engineering and municipal bodies. Discuss how overlapping mandates between these agencies and others like the Bangladesh Water Development Board and Local Government Engineering Department affect coastal water management. Explore models for decentralizing decision-making to union parishads and community-based organizations, ensuring transparency and accountability.

3. Private-sector engagement and financing

The National Water Policy encourages private investment and user participation, yet the water sector remains dominated by public providers. Identify opportunities for public–private partnerships (e.g., small-scale desalination plants, pay-as-you-go rainwater systems) while safeguarding affordability and equity.

4. Community participation, gender and social inclusion

Ensure that governance reforms amplify the voices of women, youth, indigenous groups and marginalized communities, consistent with the policy’s aim to enhance women’s roles in water management. Promote citizen-science monitoring, social audits and feedback mechanisms so that governance becomes truly participatory.

5. Transboundary and upstream–downstream relations

Address the impact of upstream water withdrawals on coastal salinity and the role of the Joint Rivers Commission in negotiating transboundary flows. Discuss ways to involve coastal communities in diplomacy and advocacy so their needs inform national positions.