HYDROGEOLOGICAL FEASIBILITY ASSESSMENT IN THE SEARCH FOR SUSTAINABLE CLEAN DRINKING WATER FOR THE PEOPLE OF PAIKGACHA UPAZILA IN SOUTHERN BANGLADESH

As the world's largest delta, Bangladesh's flat terrain, intersected by numerous rivers, relies primarily on groundwater, which faces contamination issues from heavy metals and salinity intrusion. This study presents a hydrogeological feasibility assessment of Paikgacha Upazila in the Khulna District, located beside Sundarbans in the Southern Bangladesh, focusing on identifying sustainable water supply sources amid regional challenges.

The ongoing assessment aims to identify reliable groundwater and surface water sources through literature review, secondary data collection, primary field investigations, and computational analyses. The potential of shallow, intermediate, and deep aquifers, alongside surface water bodies are expected to be explored by systematic data collection, area gridding, real-time monitoring, and spatial analysis. The initial findings indicate significant water quality issues, with contamination by arsenic, iron, manganese, nitrates, and salinity challenges in coastal areas. The study emphasizes creating detailed hydrogeological maps and spatial models to visualize water dynamics. Moreover, this study is intended to evaluate the current water distribution techniques in terms of demand, and identification of sustainable water sources considering population growth, land use changes, and extreme weather events.

WaterAid's collaboration with the local government authority, sector actors and academia are aiming to enhance WASH resilience to climate change and secure the safe water access for vulnerable populations and inform policy makers to support sustainable water management strategies, addressing immediate needs and long-term water security of Paikgacha. This assessment is crucial for ensuring sustainable water supply systems in Southern Bangladesh, highlighting the region's vulnerability and the necessity for robust hydrogeological studies to inform effective water resource management amidst climate change and contamination challenges.