9th Biennial ACSPRI Social Science Methodology Conference

The salinity issue is a tremendous difficulty for the southwestern region of Bangladesh due to climate change. Salinity is the measure of the salt concentration that is dissolved in an aquatic environment. Excessive salinity is a major concern in Bangladesh, especially in the southwestern quarter. The rapidly rising sea level caused by global warming is leading to a significant increase in the salt content in the water in the southern region of Bangladesh. Research undertaken in Tala Upazila, Bangladesh, revealed that 94% of inhabitants expressed their willingness to pay for access to clean water, irrespective of their socioeconomic status. Studies have shown that variables such as educational attainment, household income, and the duration of water collection activities positively influence individuals' inclination to pay for water services. In response to rising salinity levels, residents of southwestern Bangladesh are seeking other sources of drinking water. Both the Pond Sand Filter (PSF) and the Filtered Drinking Jar are viable options. Hence, it is imperative to examine the propensity of individuals to alter their source of drinking water. The aim of this study is to investigate the level of willingness to pay (WTP) for different drinking water switching behaviors.
The study includes 1500 households from the south-western region of Bangladesh. In an attempt to investigate user preferences and demand for saline free drinking water, the author has employed a discrete choice experiment methodology. To determine the specific preferences of consumers for any product features, the author employs this approach to obtain the desired outcome. Human willingness to pay (WTP) for drinking water has been determined using a conditional logit model.
According to the study, 30% of persons need 8 liters of water per day and 20.67% need 10. Daily water consumption varies on household size. The study region relies on rainwater for drinking water. Because many use rainwater. People in southwestern saline-prone areas prefer rainwater. The survey found that 45% of southwestern saline-prone residents have two water tanks. Only 17% of responders have 3 tanks. Additionally, 38% have one tank. Southwest saline-prone Bangladeshis want better drinking water. Many refuse to drink better water as water prices rise. 60% of individuals would not choose better drinking water if water prices rose 1 BDT. Improved water-seeking methods boost the desire for safe drinking water. People lose interest in drinking better water when pressured to do so. How well you hunt for water and how acute your emotional pressure are affect learning adaptability. People are willing to pay 245.56 BDT on average, which helps the shift to saline-free drinking water.
Undoubtedly, the residents of the southwestern region of Bangladesh, adversely impacted by elevated salt levels, are encountering a multitude of difficulties arising from this problem. Preservation of primary crops, maternal and newborn mortality, depletion of biodiversity, and other comparable challenges jeopardize their very existence. Primarily, individuals residing in southwestern regions with high salinity levels must endure psychological stress in order to access clean drinking water. Thus, the affected persons are highly motivated to pay for access to an improved drinking water supply. The salt-prone southwest region necessitates marketing efforts to improve the quality of drinking water supplies. Purifying drinking water requires technical assistance from the municipal authorities. Non-governmental organizations can coordinate initiatives addressing the limitations of rainwater extracting. The municipal governing body has the authority to grant permission to the water distribution authority to disseminate information regarding the enhanced water sources.