Salinity in water has long been a serious issue in Sharankhola Upazila of Bagerhat district. In this coastal region, the scarcity of safe drinking water has made daily life increasingly difficult for local residents. Although Pond Sand Filters (PSFs) have been the primary source of safe water, most of them have now become non-functional, worsening the situation.

According to local residents, many PSFs that once provided clean water are no longer usable. Due to lack of regular maintenance, technical faults, and environmental factors, these filtration systems have fallen into disrepair. As a result, many families are forced to travel long distances to collect water, which is both time-consuming and physically exhausting.

Recently, volunteers from Lal Sabuj Society in Sharankhola visited several areas and spoke directly with local people. They gathered firsthand accounts of the challenges and hardships faced by residents due to the lack of safe water. Many reported increasing health risks, especially among children and the elderly, who are suffering from waterborne diseases.

One local resident shared, “We have to walk several kilometers every day to collect water. It wastes both time and energy.” Another added, “We rely on rainwater harvesting, but it is not sufficient throughout the year.”

The volunteers of Lal Sabuj Society emphasized that urgent and effective measures are needed to address this crisis. They called on the concerned authorities to repair and reactivate existing PSFs, establish new safe water sources, and ensure regular maintenance.

The water crisis in Sharankhola is not just a local issue—it is a humanitarian concern that requires immediate and collective action.