Clean Water at Last for Uttar Jharkhali Villagers

Good Neighbors Bangladesh, a local non-governmental organization (NGO), in partnership with the Embassy of Japan, has established a state-of-the-art water purification facility in Uttar Jharkhali village, located in Taltali upazila of Barguna district. The plant, which was officially unveiled yesterday, has the capacity to deliver approximately 20,000 litres of clean water daily.
Since its launch, around 100 households in the region — where access to safe drinking water had been severely limited — have benefited from this new source of potable water.
The installation was formally inaugurated by Khan Nanami, an adviser to the “Grant Assistance for Grassroots Human Security Projects (GGP)” at the Japanese Embassy.
During a community dialogue following the event, participants emphasized that salinity intrusion in coastal zones has intensified significantly since Cyclone Aila in 2009. This growing issue has compromised natural freshwater reserves, putting local populations — particularly women and children — at heightened health risks.
To ensure continuous access during flood events, 12 elevated ‘safe water stations’ have been set up, enhancing the impact of the newly inaugurated water facility. The plant is designed to deliver a reliable, daily supply of purified water, which has been inspected and certified as safe for both consumption and food preparation.
A community-based Safe Drinking Water Management Committee will be in charge of supervising the facility’s operation and upkeep.
Stakeholders noted that the initiative makes a significant contribution toward fulfilling Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 6, which aims to ensure the availability and long-term governance of water and sanitation for everyone.