When waters turn against communities: Unraveling water governance, security, and household well-being in hazard-prone coastal Bangladesh

Water insecurity, intensified by climate change, environmental degradation, and unsustainable resource management, poses a significant threat to human well-being in coastal regions. This study examines the interrelationships among water governance, household well-being, and water security in southwestern Bangladesh. Using a multistage sampling approach, data were collected from 411 households across nine unions in the Khulna and Satkhira districts, illustrating acute vulnerabilities stemming from ineffective water management, saline intrusion, and inadequate infrastructure. Statistical analyses, including correlation, z-test, chi-square test, and regression, were employed alongside Generalized Structural Equation Modeling (GSEM) to assess the dynamics of water governance and its linkage with water security and well-being. The results suggest that trust, transparency, accountability, and service delivery are key determinants of effective water governance. As hypothesized, effective water governance was positively associated with both household well-being and water security, and higher water security further contributed to improved well-being. The study recommends strengthening coastal water infrastructure through community participation across all project phases, ensuring affordability, integrating resilient solar-powered purification systems, and promoting water-dependent livelihoods. These strategies can reinforce trust, transparency, and service delivery while improving the accessibility, quality, and safety of water for coastal communities. • Cyclones Bulbul and Amphan cut water access for 66% of respondents, exposing governance failures in vulnerable regions. • GSEM analysis confirms water governance significantly enhances security and well-being in cyclone-hit coastal Bangladesh. • Trust, transparency, accountability, and service delivery best predict effective water governance in vulnerable areas. • Poor governance raises purification costs, while community participation and government coordination improve outcomes.