In 1993, the country’s groundwater, the source of drinking water for 97% of the rural population and a significant share of the urban population, was contaminated with arsenic. However, in 2004, 98% of the population already has access to an improved water source, a very high level for a low-income country. This has been achieved through the construction of hand pumps with the support of external donors.

Bangladesh has a low level of cost recovery due to low tariffs and poor economic efficiency, especially in urban areas where revenues from water sales do not cover operating costs.