Groundwater Status and Challenges in Bangladesh

Bangladesh is a densely populated and developing country facing severe water pollution, crisis and security. Even though all population has access to freshwater, water is often contaminated as a result of over-exploitation, rapid urbanization, and pollution from industries, domestic and agricultural sources. Here, we review groundwater status and suitability for drinking and irrigation purposes. We present the status of groundwater aquifers, water quality, and sources of contamination. Groundwater is contaminated by elevated levels of dissolved Ca, Mg, Fe, Cr, and Pb in some areas. Arsenic is found in shallow aquifers at high levels throughout the country, and millions of consumers are suffering from severe and chronic poisoning from arsenic-enriched water. Moreover, groundwater is also contaminated by pathogens and agrochemicals. Additionally, in coastal areas, sea-level rise and increasing soil salinity make groundwater unsuitable for drinking and irrigation.