The SafePani model: Delivering safe drinking water in schools and healthcare centres in Bangladesh

One out of seven schools in Bangladesh’s Khulna district does not have a safe source of drinking water on premises.

In rural schools, individual administrators are responsible for monitoring water safety post installation of waterpoints. Limited funds, training, time, and autonomy can hinder timely repair and maintenance of infrastructure and pose uncertain water quality risks.

To address the expanded focus of SDG 6.1 for schools and healthcare centres, REACH has been working with UNICEF and the Local Government Division (LGD) of the Government of Bangladesh to design and pilot a revised institutional model for rural water service delivery. The SafePani model aims to reform existing institutional design and move towards a professional water service delivery model, with timely and independently verified performance metrics unlocking results-based funding.