Cooperation between Netherlands and Bangladesh can expand the access to safe drinking

water for communities across Bangladesh, particularly those in climate-vulnerable areas,

through public-private partnership, Dutch Ambassador Joris Van Bommel has said.

He made the observation while speaking to journalists during a visit to the Building Water

Business programme of Max Foundation in Barishal on Thursday (August 13). The envoy visited

the facility at Dudholmou in Bakerganj under the district to see how smart, low-maintenance

piped water systems combined with digital payment solutions enable efficient operations,

transparent revenue collection, and financially sustainable water business in climate-vulnerable

contexts.

Joris Van Bommel said the two countries had much in common when it came to water

management, as both are shaped by deltas, rivers and the sea.

“Water, delta, sea and rivers provide a strong basis for cooperation between the Netherlands

and Bangladesh,” he said, stressing that water cooperation should also ensure access to

drinking water for everyone.

The ambassador said his visit, together with Max Foundation and Max Social Enterprise, was

aimed at seeing how the “last mile” of water connectivity could be addressed so that

communities could get piped water at their homes.

He said access to tap water was important not only for improving the quality of water but also

for reducing the burden on women and girls, who often have to travel considerable distances to

collect water.

The ambassador said the experience in Barishal demonstrated that sustainable water services

could be developed through cooperation among the government, private sector and

communities.

“We sincerely believe that that’s a sustainable solution to make sure that every household in

Bangladesh do get access to water in the house, but also that it’s affordable in a public-private

partnership perspective way,” he said.

He said the visit to the off-grid water facilities in Barishal had also provided an opportunity to

see how such systems were operating at the community level.

Van Bommel expressed satisfaction at seeing the Netherlands work with Bangladeshi

communities and companies through Max Foundation and Max Social Enterprise to improve

access to water. “We can make a difference if we work together with companies and with

communities,” he said.

Max Foundation Founder and Director Joke Le Poole said the organisation had started working

more than two decades ago, initially focusing on water, sanitation and hygiene as essential

means of preventing child deaths.

She said the organisation chose Bangladesh because of its high needs and population density

and began its work in Barishal with water wells. Many of those wells, she noted, were still

functioning after 15 to 20 years.

However, as people’s economic capacity increased, they began seeking better access to water,

she said, adding that piped water at home could bring significant health benefits and that

people were willing to pay for such services.

Max Foundation Bangladesh and Nepal Country Director Dr ATM Tariqul Islam said Max

Foundation and Max Social Enterprise had developed a business-based solution for piped

drinking water in Barishal and Patuakhali.

Unlike aid- or donation-dependent projects, the model is designed to operate through a Market

Based Solution to water supply. Customers pay in monthly basis for the water they receive, he

added.

He said the initiative had so far established around 100 water grids and was gradually

introducing improvements such as solar power and automation to reduce operating costs and

make the businesses more financially sustainable.

According to Dr Tariqul, improved access to piped water had also contributed to reductions in

skin and stomach diseases, while women were benefiting from shorter distances to collect

water and improved access to household bathrooms and wash facilities.

Dutch Embassy First Secretary (Water and Climate) Klaassen Inge Senior Financial Advisor

Aminul Islam and Max Social Enterprise Managing Director Yameen farook were present during

the visit.