Willingness to pay for improved drinking water in southwest coastal Bangladesh

Households in the rural areas of southwest coastal Bangladesh mainly depend on unreliable sources of drinking water. This study assessed the willingness to pay (WTP) for improved drinking water in a rural area of the southwest coastal Bangladesh, using contingent valuation survey data of 215 households. The samples for the face-to-face interview were selected by purposive random sampling from Chila union of Mongla sub-district under Bagerhat district. The mean WTP for improved drinking water was estimated to be BDT 193 (US$ 2.47) per month (3% of the monthly income of the households). Results also indicate that educated respondents and households with higher income are willing to pay more for improved water supply. Moreover, the expenditure of the households for buying water and for medicine for waterborne diseases has a significant positive impact on the WTP. The results of this study can be useful for decision-makers to promote improved drinking water supply in southwest coastal Bangladesh.