On November 11, 2024, Max Social Enterprise hosted an engaging workshop titled "Innovation at the Intersection of Sustainability, Water Business Ecosystems & Technology" at BOITHOK, Banani, Dhaka.
The event brought together prominent experts, researchers, and innovators to discuss groundbreaking ideas and collaborative solutions for addressing Bangladesh's water challenges, especially in rural areas. Max Social Enterprise, committed to solving water accessibility issues in underserved areas, organized this workshop. BetterStories Limited, represented by Chief Storyteller Minhaz Anwar and Research Associate Swarup Laha, actively participated in the workshop. Minhaz Anwar contributed to the dialogue on fostering entrepreneurial ecosystems and integrating technology with sustainable development. This workshop reinforced the importance of collaboration between the private sector, NGOs, academia, and government bodies in building resilient water ecosystems.
The workshop highlighted Max Social Enterprise’s impactful initiatives, including the Max TapWater program, which delivers safe and affordable piped water to rural households using locally sourced materials and operated by local entrepreneurs. This model, currently operating 51 mini water grids across southern Bangladesh, is on a mission to ensure clean, accessible water for all. Discussions at the workshop also explored advanced technologies like IoT-based water quality monitoring, solar-driven filtration systems, and sustainable practices such as Managed Aquifer Recharge (MAR) to combat challenges like salinity and arsenic contamination.
The event underscored the urgent need to update Bangladesh’s 1998 Water Supply and Sanitation Policy to align with modern technologies and the impacts of climate change. Emphasis was placed on localized, cost-effective solutions like hand tubewells, rainwater harvesting, and solar-powered water treatment systems to address the unique challenges of diverse regions. Through this workshop, Max Social Enterprise reaffirmed its commitment to solving rural water crises by bridging policy gaps, advancing innovative technologies, and partnerships.