First outdoor water purifier installed in Sylhet, welcomes Ministerial visit

Ansar Ahmed Ullah
Contributing Editor,Shottobani: The first outdoor water purifier to be installed in a public space in Sylhet city is now delivering clean, safe drinking water to the community, marking a significant milestone for public health and environmental sustainability in the region.

The initiative recently received national recognition as Labour and Employment and Expatriates’ Welfare and Overseas Employment Minister Ariful Haque Chowdhury visited the drinking purified water refill station in Sylhet, highlighting the importance of expanding access to safe water across Bangladesh.

The project was funded by the Director and UNA Vice Chairman Mozmil Hussain, with support from Plastic Free Eastbourne, demonstrating the power of collaboration between communities in Bangladesh and the United Kingdom.

The 300-litre capacity water purifier was installed on the first day of Ramadan, a time associated with reflection, generosity and community support, making the launch particularly meaningful. With summer temperatures in Sylhet often soaring to 45°C, access to clean and freely available drinking water is especially vital.

Organisers stress that safe drinking water is not a luxury but a necessity. The public refill station ensures residents and visitors have reliable access to potable water, particularly during extreme heat.

In addition to its public health benefits, the station plays a key environmental role. By promoting the use of refillable bottles, it reduces reliance on single-use plastics, helps prevent plastic waste from entering landfills and oceans, lowers the carbon footprint linked to bottled water production and transportation, and decreases the energy required to manufacture plastic bottles.

With communities worldwide, from Eastbourne to Sylhet, facing the impacts of climate change, including flooding and water shortages, the installation represents a practical step toward climate resilience, environmental responsibility and social equity.