Assessing coastal vulnerabilities impacting drinking water sources and sanitation: spatial, multivariate and ML approach in Satkhira, Bangladesh

Abstract

With an emphasis on the effects of climate change, saltwater intrusion, and contaminated surface water in rural areas, this study investigates the susceptibility of sanitation and drinking water sources in Bangladesh’s Satkhira District. Evaluating the sustainability and safety of drinking water sources more especially, groundwater, protected ponds, and pond sand filters was the main goal. To learn more about their water collection methods, reliance on various water sources, hygiene habits, and health concerns, we conducted a survey with 2000 residents. Furthermore, 24 water samples were gathered prior to winter and examined for hydrochemical parameters (pH, EC, TDS, salinity, temperature) and ions (NH₄⁺, NO₃⁻, PO₄³⁻, SO₄²⁻, and Cl⁻). According to the correlation heatmap, we found a significant positive correlation (0.97) between electrical conductivity and total dissolved solids. By highlighting the connections between these variables, Principal Component Analysis (PCA) was able to account for 53.6% of the overall variation in water quality. Water quality was categorized using a dendrogram according to soil, climate, and farming methods. Both national and international criteria were used to assess the quality of the water. The findings showed serious problems with water quality, such as ammonium levels that were higher than acceptable limits and chloride levels that were lower than the national average. According to the study, the main causes of waterborne illnesses, especially in children, were saltwater intrusion, poor sanitation, and water scarcity. Inverse Distance Weighting (IDW) analysis reveals high concentrations of pH, EC, TDS, salinity, and ions in the western and southern regions of Satkhira, influenced by human activities and local factors. The Self-Organizing Map (SOM) analysis reveals clear spatial patterns in water quality variables, highlighting the influence of pollution sources like agricultural runoff and industrial effluents on ion concentrations, salinity, and pH levels. The study highlights the necessity of better water management techniques and increased community engagement to guarantee that Satkhira District people have access to clean drinking water.