A photo essay that explores how climate change, salinity, and shifting livelihoods are reshaping access to safe water in coastal Bangladesh.

Through images and field insights from Paikgacha Upazila, the essay traces how environmental pressures, from brackish aquaculture to cyclones and tidal flooding, have altered freshwater sources and daily life. At the same time, it highlights the responses emerging on the ground: households adapting, institutions coping with fragile infrastructure, and partnerships between communities, local authorities, and organisations working to strengthen water, sanitation, and hygiene systems. Grounded in Athena Infonomics’ research and field engagement, the essay captures both the weight of the challenge and the resilience shaping everyday solutions.

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We extend our sincere thanks to WaterAid Bangladesh for the opportunity to engage with their dedicated teams in Paikgacha and learn from their work on the ground.