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The NGO Forum for Drinking Water Supply & Sanitation reports that in our last Fact Sheet we mentioned under "Activities of Different Organisations" the future work plan of the NGO Forum. In actual fact it is an on-going programme which is currently underway at field level. The mistake is regretted.

A study by Dr. Allan H Smith, Professor of Epidemiology at the University of California at Berkeley published in the September, 2000 issue of the Bulletin of the World Health Organisation says: Bangladesh is facing the largest mass poisoning of any population in history due to the presence of arsenic in its drinking water supply.

Dr. Smith says between 33 and 77 million of Bangladesh's 125 million population are at risk. He also predicted a big increase in the number of cases of arsenic-related diseases in the coming years ranging from skin lesions to cancers of the bladder, kidney, lung and skin and cardiovascular problems.

"Bangladesh is grappling with the largest mass poisoning of a population in our history, because the groundwater used for drinking has been contaminated with naturally occurring inorganic arsenic," he said in the study. "The scale of this environmental disaster is greater than any seen before and goes beyond the accidents at Bhopal, India in 1984, and Chernobyl, Ukraine in 1986."

The study was based on visits to Bangladesh by Smith in 1997 and 1998 and adds to the warnings by the UN Children's Fund, the US government and other agencies that Bangladesh is facing huge health risks because of arsenic in the groundwater.

Dr. Smith's study urges the government to do more to provide arsenic-free water, educate communities about the risks, and treat and monitor the patients.

Source: AP

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Although this study published in the September issue of the WHO Bulletin is welcome, we note that an article on arsenic-contamination of West Bengal appeared in a WHO Bulletin as early as 1988, without raising any alarm bells.

According to Dr. Allen Smith, cancer cases - minus the tell-tale skin lesions - are on the increase and warns that arsenic is a major cause of cancer deaths. He says in some places it kills more people than cigarettes and this will soon be true of Bangladesh also. This is naturally of great concern, for this entire region consisting of Bangladesh and West Bengal has practically no modern Oncology services, therefore the victims of arsenic -poisoning have little hope for getting any proper treatment.

Even if drugs are available it is often at an outrageously high price, which means therapy will not be available to the common man. Although some cancers can be treated with regimens consisting of low price generic drugs, the types of cancers that are now surfacing it would seem are not in this category for the only treatment victims seem to be getting is the doling out of a handful of multi-vitamin tablets.

Of course the lucky ones may get to have their limbs amputated when gangrene finally sets in. That we should be so lucky is overwhelming!

In July 2000, The UN Foundation sanctioned a grant to the World Health Organisation (WHO) of $2,500,000 for Arsenic Mitigation in Three Sub-districts of Bangladesh, to be carried out over two years.

The UN Foundation says between five and 10 million tubewells in Bangladesh may be contaminated with arsenic, according to conservative estimates. As a result, at least 25 million people may be drinking arsenic-contaminated water throughout Bangladesh. Long term consumption of arsenic-contaminated water leads to serious health effects, often referred to as arsenicosis. The symptoms of arsenicosis manifest themselves after several years, initially as skin lesions, and progress to localised gangrene and eventually cancers of the skin, lung, bladder and kidneys.

Through this UNF-sponsored project, WHO, in cooperation with UNICEF, will provide clean drinking water alternatives to people in three of the worst affected Bangladeshi sub-districts. The project will utilise an integrated approach involving communication, capacity-building, tubewell testing, patient management and provision of alternative water supply options. The arsenic mitigation project will directly benefit 1.1 million people spread across 705 villages in the three chosen sub-districts of Bangladesh.

The Bangladesh Arsenic Mitigation Water Supply Project supports the Government of Bangladesh's strategy for the phased, participatory, and sustainable implementation of actions to address all key technical, social, and institutional issues linked to the arsenic crisis.

Bangladesh Arsenic Mitigation Water Supply Project (BAMWSP) has identified 3119 patients under the National Emergency Screening Program in six upazilla. They have conducted this programme for about three months in Hajiganj, Gopalganj, Golapganj, Uzirpur, Bheramara and Eshwardi upazillas.

From their study it would seem that Hajiganj is the most severely affected of these six upazillas. In this upazilla 15,056 tubewells have been tested out of which 14,417 tube wells are beyond the permissible level of arsenic. In their study they mention that in the 809 villages in the six upazillas, they have examined 1,664,773 people. Out of them they have identified 3,119 people with arsenic-related diseases. They have tested 87,097 tube wells in the six upazillas and found that 39,217 tubewells have been affected and contain arsenic above the permissible level.

A) A review meeting organised by the Department of Public Health Engineering in collaboration with the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) and the World Bank revealed considerable differences among the experts on the nature of the deep aquifer and of the thick clay layer which they suggest would prevent arsenic from seeping downwards.

The experts who represented the Geological Survey of Bangladesh; the British Geological Survey; the US Geological Survey; India; The International Atomic Energy Agency; the Bangladesh Water Development Board; Water Resources Planning Organisation (WARPO); and the teachers of geology at the Universities of Dhaka, Rajshahi and Jahangirnagar, drew the general conclusion that the deep aquifer may be defined as ground water pumped from depths of 150 to 350 metres below the surface of the earth.

Whereas the sinking of tubewells in the deep aquifer figured prominently as one of the technically feasible options for supplying safe drinking water in the arsenic affected areas of Bangladesh, experts differed on soil structure and suggested the district-wise mapping of aquifers was needed to prevent arsenic hazard. The experts from home and abroad discussed the need for sharing data and information among the government agencies and universities with a view to drawing firm conclusions about the ground water hydrology. During their deliberations they presented results of different studies which showed that the location of the deep aquifer varied from place to place. The same can be said about the thick clay layer which, they believe, would serve as a shield and prevent the arsenic from the upper layers of soil percolating down. They observed that at different places neither the aquifer nor the thick clay layer was continuous.

While they suggested the DPHE’s programme of sinking deep tubewells implemented so far to supply saline free water to the people of the coastal districts should be extended to arsenic contaminated areas, they also called for a fuller understanding of the deep aquifer and underscored the need for detailed mapping of the aquifers on a district-wise basis.

Engineers from the ground water hydrology wing of the BWDB told the meeting that they would within a month be able to finish the hydro-geological maps of Bangladesh. These maps will be useful for a proper understanding of the aquifer with a view to mitigating the arsenic problem.

However, the experts agreed that the cost of sinking one deep tubewell may prove to be be prohibitive as a deep tubewell costs at least seven times as much as a shallow hand tubewell which is Taka 6000 on average,.

B) A panel of experts said recently that wells drilled to deeper aquifers below contaminated spots could help stop the potential arsenic poisoning for as many as 8 million people in Bangladesh.

According to 50 experts from India; Britain; the United States; and Bangladesh, such deeper aquifers can be found at a depth of between 20 and 200 metres. They have sent their recommendations to the Bangladesh government. The Bangladesh government has reportedly sent the recommendations on to an internal committee to review the suggestions. The government decision is not yet known.

Ashesh Roy, one of the experts from India, said that this method has proven to be remarkably successful in the arsenic affected areas of West Bengal in India. He said, "We started installing tubewells at deeper aquifers in many affected areas since 1994. Water drawn from such deeper aquifers is not only the safest drinking water, but the arsenic affected people have also shown signs of remedy after they started drinking such water. This method can be used in Bangladesh as the geological conditions here and in West Bengal of India are similar. He also said that in 1994 there were about 1,100 identified cases of arsenicosis, the acute stage of arsenic poisoning, in areas of West Bengal. The number has since come down to 450. So far we have not found arsenic beyond the permissible level in any tube well sunk to deeper aquifers in the affected areas. Even if there are traces those are within the permissible level of 0.05 milligram per liter. If it exceeds the limit at any place we have the technology to treat the water by using a simple method."

He said, "Two methods are used to draw water from deeper aquifers. One is the use of small diameter tube wells and the other is the use of "Large diameter tube well." The technology used depends on the number of people to be served. Arsenic-free drinking water is now supplied to the doorsteps of the people in the affected areas through pipeline networks."

Mr. Ashesh Ray is Chief Engineer of Water Quality Management in West Bengal.

Source: Inam Ahmed

Courtesy: Virtual New York & UPI

BUT -

Dr. Dipankar Chakraborty in a letter to Mr. Ashesh Ray (PHED, West Bengal) Ref. DIR/SOES/L/N//2000 Dated: August 21 2000 refutes this statement. The letter is reproduced below:

HUMBLE REQUEST:

DPHE MEETING - DHAKA: SAFETY OF ARSENIC CONTAMINATION IN DEEP TUBEWELLS

Dear

Mr. Ashesh Ray (PHED, West Bengal)

Dr. S. P. Sinha Ra (Groundwater Board, India)

I was told by Dhaka Community Hospital - Bangladesh that both of you told deep tubewells are safe in West Bengal-India (above 100 Meters)

Dr. Sinha Ray I reported four years before in a meeting at All India Institute of Hygiene and Public Health, Calcutta that deep tubewells of PHED at Gobardanga is supplying arsenic contaminated water more than 130 Microgram per liter tothousands of municipal peoples. To verify that you went with a group to collect the tubewell water and after testing reported that my finding was true and the deep tubewell was closed down - IS IT TRUE?

Mr. Ashesh Ray. Your PHED Department installed in the same ara the new deep tubewell and it was safe at the beginning, but now it is arsenic contaminated (160 Microgram per liter) and people are drinking arsenci contaminated water. You told me after getting my report of Gobardanga deep tubewell that my findings is true - DO YOU AGREE?

(I HAVE ALL DOCUMENTS TO SUPPORT MY STATEMENT)

DIPANKAR CHAKRABORTI

Director and Head

School of Environmental Studies

Jadavpur University

Calcutta - 700 032, India

Tel: 91 33 473 5233, Mobile: 98300 29352

Fax: 91 33 473 4266, Email: dcsoesju@vsnl.com

A TIME FOR ACTION

A panel comprising fifty experts recently held a meeting where they drew up a summary of recommendations. Taken all in all, their recommendations are pretty unremarkable. Basically what they are saying is there must be "action, study, monitoring and caution" - and all in parallel. Although UNICEF is expected to publish a more detailed version of these findings, in view of the mistakes of the past, caution has become its "by-word" and the message may now well be "take action but monitor your actions for nothing is risk-free."

The purpose of the meeting was to review the available data and advise on the technical feasibility of using the deeper aquifers for safe water supply. Its purpose was not however to present a comparative assessment of alternative water supply technologies! The panel of experts agreed that in some areas the deep aquifers can be developed further for arsenic-safe supplies, BUT as there is uncertainty about how much more water can be taken and for how long, implementation could proceed in parallel with further investigation and monitoring to ensure the continued safety of water supplies. But the question to be answered is how long can the deep aquifers provide safe water supplies? Even in this the views varied and ranged between a permanent solution to a very long time!

Ultimately it was agreed that in those areas where a thick clay layer separates the deep and shallow aquifers, the deep aquifer should be able to support safe water supplies for at least decades and perhaps longer - But there was a big BUT, security of water supplies will depend on effective management. So how do the experts propose we protect the deeper aquifer? By better well design and construction practice; monitoring of the groundwater resource and water supplies; investigations to proceed hand-in-hand with implementation; regulation and management of abstraction from the deep aquifer. And as an underliner - the experts say the deep aquifer should for the present be preserved for drinking water purposes only.

The way ahead, they said, was to identify or form an institution to act as the focal point to coordinate development and management of deep aquifers; collation and continuing evaluation of data on the deep aquifer; initiate assessment of the safe yield of the deep aquifer; exploration of the areas where there is insufficient data on the deep aquifer; caution against continued sinking of wells in shallow aquifers; wells in the deep aquifer should be offered as one of the technically feasible options in areas where a thick clay layer is present. But as even the deeper wells seem to be cloaked in uncertainty, how can we be sure the deeper acquifer can supply all our needs?

We do have some knowledge about the groundwater from the deep tubewells in the coastal areas which are within acceptable limits for arsenic content, but what of the deep tubewells that were drilled in central Bangladesh and the Sylhet basin as much less is known about these wells. The layering of aquifers and the depth of arsenic-safe water also varies between areas, therefore the depth at which we can find arsenic-safe water will also differ between regions, so which depth is safe? For the purpose of the meeting, a deep tubewell was defined as one which pumped groundwater from depths of 150 - 350 metre below ground.

Ashesh Roy, Chief Engineer of Water Quality Management In West Bengal, an expert from India, said the method has been proven successful in arsenic affected areas in West Bengal of India. He said that in 1994 there were about 1,100 identified cases of arsenicosis, the acute stage of arsenic poisoning, in areas of West Bengal but the number has now come down to 450. He said that so far, we have not found arsenic beyond the permissible level in any tube well sunk to deeper aquifers in the affected areas. Even if there are traces those are within the permissible level of 0.05 milligram per liter." Two methods are used in West Bengal to draw water from deeper aquifers. One is the use of small diameter tube wells and the other is use of 'Large diameter tube well'. The technology used depends on the number of people to be served. Arsenic-free drinking water is now supplied to the doorsteps of the people in the affected areas through pipeline networks.

Fine but, an independent observer who attended the meeting said there was no consensus on the right way to approach resolving the crisis, nor yet on the deep tube wells themselves. Certainly the experts were not in complete agreement about anything and this fact was summed up by the Secretary of the Department of Health Engineering Services in his closing remarks. Once again he said, he realised that when you get a number of "experts" in the same room and you pose the same question to each, you will get exactly that number of differing opinions. He went on to say that this had happened again at this meeting and that some opinions contradicted others. Although it is believed the government has already sent the recommendations to an internal committee to review the suggestions for adaption, the Secretary told the experts that it was now a time for action rather than for undertaking more studies and added that the government must now take a decision on which set of opinions it would follow.

The Bangladesh Observer - Sept 9, 2000.

A national survey conducted by BRAC, a Non-Government Organisation (NGO), in collaboration with the Public Health Engineering Department (PHED) and UNICEF in Sonargaon upazila in Naraynaganj district found that 29 per cent of the tubewells were contaminated with arsenic above the acceptable limit. Of the villages in the Thana, two, Badyabazar and Joyrampur, have been earmarked as being the most affected. In village Badyabazar, Ayesha Akhter, a housewife aged 35 has been attacked with the deadly arsenic poisoning. Six months back doctors had diagnosed her as a victim of arsenic poisoning and prescribed some vitamin tablets and ointment. But there are no signs of any improvement in her condition. Ayesha herself said, "I am getting weaker day by day. I have been taking medicines for the last six months. But I feel no relief and I am unable to resume my normal activities." The tubewell in the yard of Ayesha’s house sunk only eight years ago has been marked red by the government officials as a warning that members of her household should not drink the water from this tubewell. In village Joyrampur, 29 per cent of tubewells have been found contaminated with arsenic.

BRAC and UNICEF in a bid to tackle the arsenic menace in different parts of Sonargaon upazila have been pursuing the treatment of surface water with: Pond Sand Filter (PSF), Rainwater Harvesters (RWH), treatment of ground water with home-based filters and use of shallow ground water through dug-wells. A number of alternative safe water options are now in operation as demonstration units to raise the level of awareness in the community. These options have been assessed after considering initial and running costs, ease of implementation, requirement for maintenance, provision of intermittent or continuous supply, susceptibility to bacterialogical contamination and acceptability by the local community. In village Badyabazar the home-based three pitcher filter is in use. Ayesha and her family members are using this but say they can collect only two pitchers of water a day which is not sufficient to meet their daily needs even for drinking water. They have to use water from other sources for washing utensils and clothes. In village Joyrampur, the PSF method is being followed. Bashir Mollah of the village said that 65 families can use a community based PSF consisting of a tank containing the bed of filter materials and a storage chamber.

Detailed screening of tube-wells was carried out using NIPSOM field kit and subsequently the tube-wells were marked with the specified colors, thereby rendering them identifiable by the population as either safe or unsafe, (red for contaminated tube-wells (arsenic content > 0.05 mg/L), green for safe tube-wells (arsenic content < 0.05 mg/L)] . Water from only 12 (twelve) out of a total 159 tube-wells in the village were found to conform with the sub-continental safety limit of 0.05 mg/L, while the remaining 92.4% tube-wells were found to be contaminated with arsenic above the safety limit.

At the same time, a communication campaign was carried out by way of meetings with different sections of the community; group discussions; house to house visits by researchers and field assistants; in order to build up public awareness of the arsenic contamination related problems. These efforts are already yielding positive results in the form of people refraining from using the contaminated water and using only the water from safe (green marked) tube-wells as their source of drinking water.

In the next phase, a survey was carried out to record the population and tube-wells on a household basis and to identify the households and/or population served by individual tube-wells. The objective of carrying out this survey was to identify the extent of contamination in the specified area and the population at risk.

4. Percentage of population by level of contaminated water consumption

Although no detailed health screening was carried out, a few patients were identified in the village based on spontaneous, "on the spot" screening by the researchers. Many of them are already undergoing proper medical treatment.

At present the oxidant and coagulant based Emergency De-arsenation units are undergoing field trials. After completion of the field trial the de-arsenation units will be supplied to the affected population without access to present safe water sources (i.e. green marked tube-wells) in the project area and under supervision of the 'Arsenic Mitigation Committee'.

For a long term solution to the crisis we are going to start building a Pond Sand Filter [PSF] in the village, as we prefer the utilisation of surface water, especially in the areas of lower delta plain where the ponds contain sufficient water even after the lowering of the 'water table' in the dry season.

UNICEF, in cooperation with the Ministry of Health Affairs, Department of Public Health Engineering and BRAC, took up five such Action Research Projects in different parts of the country. The one-year project at Sonargaon Project began in July,1999 and ended in June, 2000 and the evaluation report is expected to be published soon. A survey carried out by UNICEF with the field workers from BRAC showed that 64.5 per cent of the population were at risk of arsenic-poisoning. There are 25,048 shallow hand tubewells in the area of which 16,171 were found to be contaminated. 8,877 are certified as safe for drinking. The survey also showed a sharp rise in the number of patients suffering from arsenic-poisoning over the past six months. The number of patients rose from 252 to 400 during the period. Field workers of BRAC said the number had increased not only due to contamination but also because they had not been identified earlier.

Although 70 motivational meetings were held during the six months ending June, 2000, many of these meetings lacked a spontaneous response from people. In fact, around 32 per cent of the population of Sonagragon Upazila are continuing to drink contaminated water. Not so long ago these people were asked to drink the "pure" tubewell water with the result they no longer have a taste for any of the alternatives on offer like rain water (which tastes sour) or water from ponds and dug wells. Moreover, restrictions by the owners on the use of ponds has handicapped this as a source.

The three-pitcher filter since it was cheap and its raw materials easily available, proved to be popular. The tubewell sand filter system could become popular provided they were made available to people at a subsidised rate. One tubewell sand filter costs about Taka Five Thousand. The old-style dug well is probably destined to be popular as prior to the introduction of tubewells, these traditional wells were the popular source of pure drinking water. Chinmoy Mutsuddi, an UNICEF official said, "We have re-excavated and renovated 35 wells of the area, some of them dug more than 300 years ago." It was felt that the government should pursuade UNICEF to continue funding these projects for sometime more.

Source: The New Nation

Scientists of the Bangladesh Chemical and Biological Society of North America (BCBSNA) have invented a simple method for removing arsenic from groundwater. The simple three-pitcher (locally known as 3-Kalshi) filtration assembly for removing arsenic from groundwater.

The first kalshi contains iron chips and coarse sand; the second wood charcoal and fine sand, and the third holds the filtered water. The filtered water remains crystal clear for months and free from most toxic metal ions. The final water quality meets and exceeds the guideline values suggested by USEPA, WHO and Bangladesh government standards.

Materials needed for the system are:-

a) 3 pitchers made of fired unglazed clay, each with approximate volume of 18 liters. Small holes should be made at the bottom of two of the top pitchers.

b) 3 kg iron filings are required which could be small iron nails or rods cut into pieces,

c) 2 kg coarse sand,

d) 2 kg fine sand,

e) 1 kg wood charcoal and

f) 2 pieces of 100 per cent polyester cloth or any other synthetic material.

The water used for this system must be free from bacteria as the method removes only arsenic. The water of the bottom kalshi can be used as long as the water does not become cloudy. No replacement of iron is necessary. If the water of the bottom kalshi turns cloudy, the sand layers should be replaced.

There are at present six systems operating in Bangladesh. The three-kalshi system is one of them. The site chosen for the experiment of the system was Kushtia. The system brings the arsenic level in the water down to below 50 ppb (parts per billion). 7000 litres of arsenic contaminated groundwater can be filtered without overloading and dismantling the system.

The system has received the approval of the Technical Advisory Group (TAG).

Scientists involved in its development are: Prof Dr Abul Hussam, Associate Professor of the Chemistry Department at the George Mason University, USA; Prof Dr AH Khan, Department of Chemistry, Dhaka University; Prof Dr M Alauddin, Chemistry Department, Wagner College, USA.

The following organisations and personnel have invented arsenic free filters for groundwater at minimal cost:

1. The Bangladesh Centre for Science and Industrial Research Institute (BCSIR), a government organisation has developed an arsenic free filter. To develop this filter they have utilised locally available raw materials. The water flow rate is said to be 6 litres per hour. The cost of the filter is Taka 300/00 only and it can purify up to 60,000 litres of water. The cost of filtering a litre of water works out at only 20 paisa.

2. The Chairman of the Allergy Environmental Research and Skin Care Institute (AARSCI), Dr. M.A. Hassan has invented a filter to remove arsenic from contammianted groundwater. He utilised indigenous materials such as coconut coir, coconut shells and husk. After manufacture, he added a small amount of alum and mixed it with the water and allowed it to settle for 12 hours.

3. An environmental expert from the Integrated Quality and Environmental Management (IQU) Berlin, Germany, Dr. Jamal Anwar, has successfully removed arsenic from water through an application involving the use of clay pots, sunlight, air, iron, sand or ferrous salts and alum. He says removing arsenic by solar radiation costs virtually nothing and can be carried out all over Bangladesh with ease without depending on foreign technologies.

4. Research Associate Professor of New Jersey at the Stevens Institute of Technology (SIT), Dr. Xiaoguamg Meng has developed a simple cost effective technology for removing arsenic from drinking water in rural Bangladesh. The technology, Direct Coprecipitation Filtration (DCF) is designed to reduce heavy metals such as arsenic, selenium, chromium, lead and cadmium from water down to micro-levels. The method is said to be capable of reducing arsenic levels from 100 ppb (parts per billion) to less than 5 ppb.

According to Dr. Meng the technique used is an iron coagulate tablet that when immersed in a bucket of water could dissolve the arsenic that was present in the water. The water is then filtered through a bucket filled to a level of one-third with highly absorbent sand. The bucket has a hole at the bottom from where the arsenic free water is collected via a tube. The arsenic sludge remains in the sand.

5. Emergency Relief Society, a Canadian society dedicated to providing newly developed water purifiers to Bangladeshi families, with a view to providing pure uncontaminated water to thousands and eventually millions of families through local fabrication of water purifiers. These water purifiers come in family sized units, require no water pressure, electricity or chemicals of any nature. They have proven to be effective in removing most noxious contaminants, including arsenic.

6. Aqualor, an on-site sodium hypochlorite generator to sanitize drinking water in small communities, requires only common salt, water and electricity (110/220 volts, 50/60 hertz AC or DC from photovoltaic solar cells). It does not require any skilled operators, is easy to operate and maintain. The only maintenance needed is the immersing of the electrolytic for a few minutes in white vinegar or hydrochloric acid. Fresh, stable and clean disinfectant generated in the same place of use. Sodium Hypochlorite concentration is not dangerous to the operator or to the environment. Designed to operate and resist abusive handling and harsh tropical conditions. It is said to be the most economical way to sanitize and have safe drinking water in remote communities of rural areas and disaster zones.

7. Arsenic and Old Waste: A predoctoral fellow finds an organism with a taste for poison. May 1995.

Howard Hughes Medical Institute predoctoral fellow Dianne Ahmann, a graduate student at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, discovered an arsenic-eating microbe in the waters of the Aberjona Watershed near Boston.

8. A Simple Filter-Tablet System developed by SOES, Javadpur, Calcutta.

This is the only household device in West Bengal which has undergone field trials for a year.

The filter is made by using fly ash, clay, charcoal etc. Due to the use of fly ash, the filter becomes very strong and quite porous. The filter was heated to more than 14000 C in a furnace with charcoal to remove most of the volatile toxic compounds.

The black colored tablet contains Fe3+ salt, an oxidizing agent and activated charcoal. The tablet is supplied in a pouch or box After adding the tablet to the arsenic contaminated water the water turns black due to the presence of carbon. After filtering the water it is easy to know (from the suspended black particles) whether or not there is any leakage from the filter. The tablets are made by hand so the size and quality are not the same in all batches. After preparation, provided it is stored in a dark room, the tablet retains its strength for more then 15 months.

Some agencies that have evaluated the system:

National

1. Industrial Toxicological Research Center, Lucknow

2. National Test House, Calcutta

3. National Environmental Engineering Research Institute, Nagpur

4. Gaighata Science Organization, North 24-Parganas, WB

International

Two-organisation (1) Asia Arsenic Network Japan (AAN-Japan) and (2) Asia Arsenic Network, Thailand Bureau studied our system in the field where we had installed it in W. Bengal. AAN-Japan also wrote to Chief Engineer, PHED, West Bengal about suitability of our system.

Being satisfied with the arsenic removal system AAN-Japan purchased 300 units from CSIR-New Delhi and installed them in Bangladesh. Dr. Chakraborti went to Bangladesh to install the filtering units.

World Health Organisation after purchasing 50 filtering system from CSIR, further ordered 500 filtering systems for Bangladesh.

Evaluation Report of West Bengal Government (PHED, West Bengal)

Public Health Engineering Department (PHED) tested 300 filtering units in arsenic affected villages of W. Bengal. During December, 1995, PHED, West Bengal ordered the purchase of 3000 Filter-Tablet systems from CSIR through the School of Environmental Studies, Jadavpur University for evaluation. A detailed study report from PHED, West Bengal has not yet been received.

The processes used in the arsenic affected area of Chile and Taiwan for removing arsenic from drinking water at a full-scale treatment plant (for high-level arsenic removal) is coagulation. The addition of iron or aluminium coagulants to water facilitates the conversion of soluble arsenic species into insoluble reaction products, which are formed through adsorption mechanisms on to coagulated floc. Because good floc formation followed by filtration is crucial to arsenic removal, a high turbidity effluent indicates poor floc formation and is likely to reduce the efficiency of arsenic removal.

The University of Connecticut (patent pending) has claimed a novel and cost effective Arsenic Remediation Technology (AsRT) for the immobilisation of inorganic arsenic such as arsenates and arsenites. The technology uses iron filings (zero valent iron) and sand to reduce inorganic arsenic species to iron co-precipitates, mixed precipitates, and in conjunction with sulphates to arsenopyrites.

In Hungary, the arsenic contamination from groundwater sources (artesian wells) caused serious problem (400,000 people are at risk) and ways for removing the arsenic have been under investigation for about a decade. A promising, inexpensive solution to the problem was adopted. The arsenic concentration of even high organic matter containing artesian waters can readily be reduced to under the 0.05 mg/l limit, by using the Mg (OH)2 method either on large-scale or in households. The procedure is simple (only needs adding of MgO or MgCl2 and NaOH) efficient and safe.

The Dhaka Community Hospital & The School of Environmental Studies, Jadavpur University conducted a joint study from 1995 to February 2000. The study revealed that at least 20 million people in Bangladesh are drinking arsenic contaminated water every day, and another 80 million are at risk. They have identified 7,000 arsenicosis patients to date.

Dhaka Community Hospital conducted another study, the "Emergency Programme of Arsenic Contamination of Ground Water in Bangladesh " with UNDP funding. The survey was conducted in two phases. The first - a survey of 200 villages began December 1997 & continued till end April 1998. The second phase covered 300 villages and was conducted in two parts from May 1999 to early July 1999 and from October 1999 to December 1999. In this study 500 villages in 68 thanas in 29 district were covered. The total number of patients with visible signs of arsenicosis was 2,327. The prevalence rate stands at 2.8 per 1000 population and the number of people who drink from contaminated tubewell but do not show any visible signs of arsenic poisoning is 459,833.

If the permissible level was reduced to 0.01 mg/litre from the current 0.05 mg/litre a far larger number of people will be at risk of arsenicosis. WHO & UNDP considered the socio-economic perspective of this would be a disaster for a poverty stricken country like Bangladesh and suggested the Bangladesh government should set the achievable target of a level of 0.05 mg/litre. But, it is now known that drinking arsenic-contaminated water on a daily basis even at the low level of 0.01 mg/litre could be hazardous.

THE GEOLOGICAL SURVEY OF BANGLADESH

The Geological Survey of Bangladesh has taken up a programme to find out the cause, source and mobility of arsenic in the ground water of Bangladesh. The program also includes:

i) collection of arsenic related data,

ii) detection of contaminated and Arsenic free aquifers,

iii) to help different organizations for arsenic free ground water supply,

iv) to exchange views and data in national and international level and

v) to grow awareness among the people about arsenic poisoning.

Based on a survey of 1072 tube wells (each tube well is taken at possible corner of 1 sq. km grid)

In Brahmanpara and Kasba thana, we have detected an impervious layer at the depth ranging from 33 m to 40 m below which the water (aquifer in the Dupi Tila Sandstone) is arsenic free. Aquifers below the organic rich layers contain high arsenic level. However work is still in a preliminary stage.

A daylong workshop on "Arsenic Crisis: In Search of Safe Water Options" was held at Khulna University on September 11, 2000. The Disaster Forum in collaboration with the Environmental Science Discipline of Khulna University organised the workshop. Dr. S.M. Nazrul Islam, Vice Chancellor of Khulna University was chief guest.

The workshop was held under the system of participatory planning. First the resource persons assembled all the participants and asked them to put forward their questions. Accordingly the resource persons tried to answer them. They shared their field experience with the participants by showing them some transparencies and pictures. The resource persons were:

1. Prof. Feroz Ahmed (Ph. D)

2. Dr. Shibtosh Roy

3. Mr. Gawher Nayeem Wahra

Questions made to participants:

1. What is the main cause of arsenic pollution in Bangladesh?

2. Which area of Bangladesh is severely affected by arsenic contamination?

3. Which process is responsible for arsenic poisoning in Bangladesh?

Oxyhydrooxide Reduction

or

Pyrite oxidation

4. Is there any chance for contamination of deep tubewells?

5. Which countries of the world are affected by arsenic apart from Bangladesh and what steps have been taken to solve the problem?

6. Two tube wells are set up in an adjacent area. One is contaminated but another is not.

Why?

7. Does arsenic contamination of groundwater affect domestic animals?

8. Will the sludge from the arsenic free filters create any hazards in future?

9. What is the source of safe water options?

10. What steps should be taken for an awareness program?

11. What could be a cheap method for mitigating the arsenic problem?

12. What could be a cheap method for detecting arsenic contamination?

13. What measures are taken for the prevention of arsenic pollution?

14. What is the difference between three-pitcher filter and five-pitcher filter?

15. How many years of continuous drinking of poisoned water can cause arsenicosis?

16. How to detect the manifestation of arsenic toxicity in human body?

17. How arsenic enters and effects the human body?

The daylong workshop on " Participatory Planning and Solution of Arsenic Contamination" was held on August 20, 2000 at Jessore Zilla School auditorium under the auspicious of Khulna Divisional Department and Bangladesh Arsenic Mitigation Water Supply Project.

Inaugurating the workshop as Chief guest, Mr. Badiur Rahman, Secretary Ministry of Local Government underscored the catastrophic consequences of the unabated spread of arsenic contamination is the tubewell water in 221 upazilas of 59 districts and made a fervent appeal for launching a social movement without any loss of time for eradicating arsenic contamination from the drinking water.

Terming the situation as grave, the local government secretary said that after a survey, the figure may rise alarmingly and urged the experts to find out ways and means to solve the dangerous social problems.

He stressed the need for the total mobilisation of government officials, people and the representatives of people for making the programme a success.

The NGO Forum with the assistance of Danida.has set up a laboratory for the detection of pollutants in water. State Minister of Environment H.N. Ashiquer Rahman inaugurated the laboratory. It is now possible to test some 26 parameters of water quality - including arsenic - at a lower price. The Minister said that 225 out of 465 upazillas have been affected by arsenic.

The NGO Forum that works for drinking water supply and sanitation said nearly 30 per cent of hand-pumps are affected by arsenic contamination. About 20 per cent of hand pumps sunk by NGOs are also contaminated. Providing alternative sources of water to the hand pump users is a gigantic task for "behavioural change" of millions of people, said officials. They said apart from the arsenic crisis, Bangladesh drinking water supply is also seriously affected by the declining water table in north and north-central, salinity in the south and iron in the north-east and south-west regions.

Rainwater Harvesting is seasonal. Many countries in South- east and East Asia have been using rainwater successfully. This system can produce safe and pure water if it is collected & stored safely. Rainwater may not be available round the year but harvested water can cover more of the year in Bangladesh.

UNICEF/DPHE have introduced rainwater harvesting in some parts of the country where both surface & ground water are scarce, especially during the dry season.

The method followed is given below:

Collection of rainwater from rooves (concrete, CI sheet, Tiles) of houses via bamboo gutter or PVC pipe. Rainwater is channel into a container or an artificially created catchment surface. While it is raining rainwater can be collected in a clean pitcher, bucket, tub, etc. Rainwater should be allowed to run freely into the drain for about 8-10 minutes to get rid of the dirt or any other pollutant. Rooves and pipes should be clean and must be washed periodically.

Rainwater is usually free from bacteria but - after storing it for a few days, bacteria or water-borne germs could form therefore, prior to drinking harvested rainwater it should be treated by WPT (water purification tablet) or filtered (Three pitcher filter, Sand filter etc.)

or boiled.

Specification

UNICEF and Mott MacDonald have invented a Ferro-cement pre-fabricated jar of various capacities for use in Rainwater Harvesting.

1) Source - Rain water

2) Collection source - Roof of House CI sheet, Tiles, Building

3) Collection rate - 0.8 ltrs/ mm/ year incl.

4) For 1 mm annual rainfall. Annual rainfall of Bangladesh is 2000mm(av).

Period of Use - 6 months

Rainy season - 3 month after end of season (minimum)

Collection pipe - PVC 75 mm- 100mm

Cost of PVC -M - TK100.00 (Including fitting/ fixing)

Water Collection Jar - Ferro Cement Jar (UNICEF design)

Cost of Jar:

Capacity- 1000ltrs. - Tk. 1200.00

Capacity- 2000ltrs. - Tk. 2500.00

Capacity- 3000ltrs. - Tk. 3300.00

Maintenance cost - Tk. 200.00 (Maximum)

(UNICEF calculated cost)

How Green Is My Village

By Uday Mahurkar

It's seen as the beginning of a green revolution in a land that was reeling under a severe drought just two months ago. But unlike in Punjab, it isn't a giant Bhakra Nangal dam that is ushering in the change in Gujarat's Saurashtra region but a water harvesting scheme put together by the people themselves in a unique partnership with the state Government.

The Saurashtra region doesn't have a single perennial river. Its hard, rocky surface doesn't allow rain water to percolate easily. In the absence of a rain-harvesting system, the water swiftly ran off into the sea. Also, the rampant use of power-operated borewells had caused the water table to sink deeper. So the region was an easy victim of the drought. Crops withered and livestock perished as helpless villagers watched.

But the drought was an excellent teacher. The villagers realised the perils of over exploitation of ground water without having a recharging system in place. The Government did its own bit to raise awareness about water conservation by taking out "jalyatras" in different parts of the state. The effort has paid off. In a span of just five months, people of more than 2,000 villages in the six districts that comprise Saurashtra have built 10,000 check dams, responding to the Gujarat Government's "Build Your Own Check Dam" (BYOD) scheme. Under the project, the Government bears 60 per cent of the total cost of the dam while the villagers shoulder the remaining through voluntary labour.

As sporadic rains lashed the region in July, the villagers began to taste the fruits of their labour. Despite a poor monsoon so far, nearly 7,000 of these check dams have overflowed at least once, instantly raising the water table in the entire region and ensuring that the debilitating drought does not hit again. Vankia village in Jamnagar district was one of the worst affected. Its 2,000-odd residents survived on 40,000 litres of drinking water supplied daily by tankers. Today, Vankia has made a dramatic turnaround, thanks to the 18 check dams built by villagers on the rivulets and tributaries running into the Und river. The villagers worked day and night in the blistering summer heat to construct a solution to their problem. Patel and Rajput and Harijan and Muslim worked side by side, burying caste prejudices under the debris. The work started in April, and by June the check dams were ready. The cost: just Rs 42 lakh. When the monsoons came in July, the dams overflowed even though the area received less than 15 cm of rainfall. As the water collected by the check dams percolated into the ground, the water table in the area shot up. Says Ashwinbhai Patel, a farmer who organised villagers from Vankia to avail of the scheme: "We have learnt to tackle the curse of drought." Bhurabhai Patel, another farmer who worked in a government-run relief camp during the drought along with other farmers from Vankia, is ecstatic. "What couldn't be achieved in 50 years has been achieved in just a few months," he exults.

Source: India Today, Sept. 2000

Ambassador KM Shehabuddin and Shengman Zhang, Managing Director of the World Bank inaugurated a jointly sponsored photo exhibition on "Arsenic poisoning in Bangladesh" in the lobby of the World Bank main building at Washington DC. The photo exhibition was an extension of a similar programme that began in Dhaka in May this year to create awareness among donor countries and multilateral funding agencies and the international community in general.

Speaking on the occasion, Ambassador Shehabuddin outlined the situation of arsenic poisoning in Bangladesh. He stated that 20 million people were assumed to be drinking arsenic contaminated water and another 75 million were potentially at risk. Fifty-nine out of 64 districts are affected. He mentioned that the government of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina was committed to effectively deal with the situation and had mobilised local resources to undertake emergency and long-term programmes including the formation of a National Steering Committee.

Appreciating the role of World Bank and UNDP, the Ambassador appealed to other donor countries and multilateral agencies to support government's arsenic mitigation projects. He thanked the World Bank for organising the exhibition as well as assisting Bangladesh in addressing the problem. Shengman Zhang in his speech acknowledged the nature and extent of the problem and termed it as unprecedented. He assured the Ambassador that the Bank would continue its involvement in arsenic mitigation projects in Bangladesh in the coming years.

Ms Meiko Nishimizu, Vice-President, South Asian Region of the Bank and Frederic Temple, Country Director in Bangladesh and Baber Kabir, Country Sector Leader of World Bank spoke on the occasion. A host of distinguished experts on arsenic poisoning as well as high officials of the Bank were present at the inaugural session.

Source: BSS

A seminar was held where Professor Qamruzzaman of Dhaka Community Hospital, Baber Kabir of World Bank office in Dhaka and Professor Willard Chapple of Danver University presented papers on arsenic poisoning. It was followed by a question and answer session. A representative of the Embassy of Bangladesh in Washington DC also attended. The seminar among others mainly focused on various scientific information on arsenic poisoning in order to identify a scientifically accepted knowledge on the causes as well as remedy of this naturally occurring deadly situation.

Source: The Independent

A report entitled "Ground Water Deteriorating," in the "Vital Signs 2000" which was circulated worldwide says that naturally occurring arsenic is a threat to the ground water of Bangladesh, Eastern India, Nepal and Taiwan and is directly affecting the health and ecosystem of the region.

Environmentalist and ground water expert Sandra Postel in her report mentioned that scientists believe that aquifer sediments in the Ganges delta were naturally rich in arsenic, but the residents were not exposed to the heavy metal until the 1970s, when their water supply was switched from surface to ground water. Now about 80 million people in Bangladesh and the Indian State of West Bengal are exposed to arsenic poisoning as most of those people have been drinking arsenic polluted water at levels between 5 and 100 times the WHO guidelined.

According to a report prepared by the School of Environmental Studies, Jadavpur University, Calcutta, arsenic has been found in the ground water of at least eight districts of West Bengal-south 24-parganas, north 24-parganas, Nadia, Bardwan, Maldah, Murshidabad, Howrah and Hoogly. The in-depty study also revealed that more than 1.5 million people were drinking arsenic-contaminated water and more than two hundred thousand people were displaying arsenical skin-lesions.

In Bangladesh, hundreds of people of 59 districts out of 64 are at high risk of deadly arsenic poisoning as the arsenic has been found in most of the tested tubewells of those districts. According to an estimate, high arsenic concentrations are suspected to exist so far in 41 districts out of the total 64 districts which have been found to be suffering from various infections caused by arsenic poisoning. The most affected districts are - Rajshahi, Nawabganj, Kushtia, Meherpur, Chuadanga, Jhenaidah, Jessore, Satkhira, Bagerhat, Noakhali, Laximpur, Chandpur and Goplaganj.

A recent study by the NGO Forum reveals that the lives of at least 60 million people are threatened by arsenic poisoning in the groundwater of 41 districts. Of these, the lives of 20 million are at a high risk of arsenic poisoning. At least seven thousand people in 30 different districts of the country have been found to be suffering from various infections caused by arsenic poisoning. According to the study, the groundwater of only four hilly districts-Khagrachari, Banderban, Rangamati and Cox's Bazar are safe and free from arsenic contamination which means only around 12 million people in the country's coastal region can be considered safe from the curse.

In the year 1997, The World Bank estimated that at least 1.2 million people were exposed to arsenic poisoning although only 1,000 cases of chronic arsenicosis had been reported in till 1997. According to recent statistics, the Public Health Engineering Department on the basis of random sampling, tested only 220,000 tubewells out of approximately 1,200,000 tube-wells across the country.

Source: The Bangladesh Observer

1. There is a study from the University of Kansas where Zn was found to increase the level of metallothionin. Elevated levels of this protein can help to detoxify arsenic. Based upon this study the Committee for World Health, USA in collaboration with SOES, Javadpur, Calcutta, India have undertaken some field trials in Bangladesh on humans to substantiate these findings. The administration of 10 mg Zn in multivitamins containing vitamin C as mineral ascorbates are being administered in tablet form twice daily to help child victims of arsenicosis cope with the poison in their bodies. The result of the study is not yet known.

2. Although it has been traditional in Bangladesh to use alum to clarify drinking water after times of flood as alum is widely available in Bangladesh, but recently questions have been asked about its safety because of the relationship between aluminium and Alzheimer's disease. However alum will probably remove some arsenic and if added in sufficient quantity could be promoted as a possible arsenic treatment option so long as we remain mindful of its far reaching effect.

3. Oxidising the natural high concentration of dissolved ferrous iron in many tubewell waters by allowing the floc to settle will remove some of the arsenic from the supematant. This principle is being used successfully in some of DPHE's modified iron treatment plants. Sunlight could be used to promote the oxidation. The efficiency of this natural remediation will however depend primarily on the arsenic and iron concentrations in the groundwater, and to a lesser extent, the concentration of other chemicals present such as phosphate. It will not work in all places as there is not always enough iron present.

4. Allowing the drinking water to stand overnight to remove the iron is already practised in parts of Bangladesh, and could be promoted more widely to reduce the intake of arsenic. Thus freshly drawn tubewell water may pose a higher health risk from arsenic than if stored. On the other hand, there is a risk of bacterial contamination if not stored property.

5. Experience shows that arsenic removal efficiencies using this approach are typically 40-70% which may not be sufficient to reduce the arsenic concentration to the desired level but it may help. It is simple, costs very little and could provide an emergency option for reducing the immediate intake of arsenic.

6. The overall removal efficiencies can be improved by arranging for multiple separations using either a multi-stage system or by using a column. This is the principle behind the various hand pump filters being designed and tested in West Bengal and Bangladesh. Some kind of alumina seems to be the most attractive media for such filters. Other options could include any red or brown-coloured 'local' materials such as the sand from Sylhet widely used for pond sand filters or even possibly local crushed brick. Other treatment options include the subsurface oxidation and precipitation of iron and arsenic by injecting aerated water, or water with some additional oxidising agent. This in situ technique has been tested successfully for iron removal in the Netherlands but is as yet, untried in Bangladesh.

LAKSHMIPUR DISTRICT

So far five thousands are affected and 12 persons have died from arsenicosis in Lakshimipur district. The tubewell of 165 villages have crossed the permissible level that are as estimated to contain arsenic ranging from 0.05 to 1.25 mg/litre. In Lakshmipur Sadar thana, 91 out of 96 villages; Raipur thana, 32 out of 34 villages; Ramganj thana, 16 out of 19 villages, and Ramgati thana, 26 out of 30 villages have been affected by arsenic-poisoning The people are suffering greatly for the lack of medical assistance or advice from doctors.

CHUADANGA DISTRICT

A comprehensive arsenic mitigation programme has been taken up in Chuadanga district by the administration. The programme will be implemented with financial assistance of the Impact Foundation Bangladesh, an NGO, and the technical support of the district Public Health and Engineering Department (PHED). The programme will be undertaken in two phases. During the first phase, more than 200 tubewells, which had been sealed because of arsenic-contamination, will be re-sunk to ensure safe drinking water for the people. During the second phase, a community awareness campaign and a nutrition supplement campaign through introducing home gardening will be undertaken.

A team from the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) has undertaken a study to identify arsenic-contamination in tubewells and the social conditions of the rural areas of Bangladesh.

Bangladesh Engineering and Technological Services (BETS) will carry out the study in the arsenic affected districts of Jessore, Jhenidah, and Chuadanga, behalf of the Japanese organisation under JICA supervision.

Source: BADC

Source: BADC

The National Steering Committee on arsenic has raised its serious concern over arsenic mitigation activities of some ministries and donor agencies.

Without naming the ministries it pointed out in a working paper report prepared on June 1, 2000 that certain ministries are carrying out certain activities by bypassing the steering committee.

The committee also noted that a number of donor agencies have financed projects, which are implemented by non-government organisations, without discussing those with the government. As a result, on many occasions, review of the proposed activities is not taking place, leading to uncoordinated efforts in arsenic mitigation programmes. It regretted that some donor agency-funded arsenic mitigation projects have been implemented without prior approval of the committee. It also said the projects are duplications of a number of existing projects, which are already in the implementation stage. Although donor agencies discourage the implementation of projects by sidestepping the committee, some of them are not complying with the rules.

Such projects seem to be the result of whimsical decisions. Citing an example, an anonymous source said a project to assess the success of community based arsenic mitigation models has been proposed by British donor agency DFID. The two million pound sterling project also aims to improve the health condition of the affected people through affordable, sustainable and integrated community based programme of arsenic mitigation. Dhaka Community Hospital will act as DFID's partner to implement the three-year project. But the project has not been placed before the technical committee constituted by the national steering committee for review.

This is regrettable as some other mitigation projects, which are almost identical to the DFID project, funded by the World Bank and UNICEF, are already being implemented. These projects are the Bangladesh Arsenic Mitigation Water Supply Projects and Action Research Water Supply Project. Both these projects involve community-based affordable and sustainable water supply mitigation projects.

PRESS RELEASE July 5, 2000

ARSENIC LEVELS COULD SOUND DEATH-TOLL FOR WATER FLUORIDATION PLANTS

High Arsenic levels in drinking water prompted US Senator Bob Smith to call a US Senate Hearing on 29 June. Chronic health effects at low concentrations of Arsenic include prostate, skin, bladder and lung cancers. The non-cancerous effects include skin pigmentation and keratosis - callous-like skin growths -gastrointestinal, cardiovascular, hormonal (e.g., diabetes ), haematological, (e.g., anaemia), pulmonary, neurological, immunological, reproductive/developmental functions. US Environmental Protection Agency suggested that a reduction in the Maximum Contaminant Level (MCL) of Arsenic from 50 parts per billion (ppb) to 5ppb will result in the lowering of the Maximum Allowable Level (MAL) in the fluoridation product. (fluorosilicates derived from phosphate fertiliser pollution scrubbing operations). The new MAL would prevent about 20 cases of bladder cancer a year and approximately 5 bladder cancer deaths a year.

The results of tests indicate that the most common contaminant detected in the fluoridation product is Arsenic. The National Sanitation Foundation International (NSFI) showed that the average Arsenic levels in the fluoridation agent were well above the MAL.

The end result will be that future tests of fluoridation chemicals may result in increased product failures when the lower Arsenic MCL of 5 ppb is promulgated.

The Senate heard that risk assessment analysis indicated that the proposed EPA Arsenic Standards would be too costly to implement. For instance, EPA Technical Fact Sheet on Arsenic in Drinking Water estimates that with a ten microgramme standard, about 13 cases of bladder cancer and 3 cases of bladder cancer deaths could be eliminated per year at a cost of 195 million dollars, in comparison to a 5 microgramme standard eliminating 20 cases of bladder cancer and 5 bladder cancer deaths per year at a cost of .445 million dollars.

Consequently, they are considering a reduction in the Maximum Contaminant Level which will save the practice of water fluoridation and a minimum of 250 million dollars for the US taxpayers every year.

George Glasser, a US investigative writer specialising in pollution, currently in UK for speaking engagements, commented: "Your chances of getting cancer from arsenic-laced fluoridation agents are better than winning the UK Lottery. The politicking over who will live and who will pay the ultimate price in the phoney war against tooth decay has to end."

Source: National Pure Water Association, Wakefield WF4 3ET

The Proshika Manobik Unnayan Kendra, an NGO, has launched projects in suburban Savar, Chapainawabganj, Bhanga and Tungipara under three separate agreements with the Canadian International Water Purification Ltd. (CIWPL); ALTECH Company of Belgium and SIDKO Ltd. of Germany.

Proshika's deal with CIWPL was for setting up a manufacturing plant for the production of low-cost water purifiers for household use in urban and rural areas. In use in 26 countries from Nicaragua to Vietnam, the water purifiers, called Canadian Water Purifier (CWP), can effectively remove arsenic as well as parasites, bacteria and viruses from water. It can successfully treat water from rivers, ponds, tubewells, irrigation, canals as well as rain water.

A joint venture project, the Canada Bangladesh Filter Ltd., started operations in Palashbari, Savar, in line with the agreement.

Under another joint venture agreement with the ALTECH Company of Belgium, Proshika installed "Hydropur," the country's first ever surface water treatment plant. This most sophisticated water purification device, first installed at Patgram in Tungipara, proved to be an excellent technology for providing safe water from any source of surface water.The plant costing Tk 800,000 can produce 1,500 litres of water per hour which is capable of meeting the demands of approximately 500 families of the locality.

The device is an automatic gravity powered one, running without any mechanical or electrical appliances. Other advantages of this plant include low installation cost, low exploitation cost, no maintenance, no noise, easy use, automatic cleaning system, quick and simple assembly and minimum operational cost.

Proshika also signed an agreement with ALTECH for setting up a surface water treatment plant. All accessories will be produced in Dhaka. The plants are capable of purifying surface water of rivers, canals, ponds, beels and other water bodies. The plant will particularly be suitable for the arsenic and salinity-prone areas of the country.

Under another agreement with SIDKO Ltd. of Germany, two shallow ground water arsenic removal plants have been set up at Chapainawabganj and Bhanga in Faridpur. Such plants are to be installed across the country, particularly in arsenic-prone areas. They have multiple advantages as installation cost is comparatively low and chemicals to be used are very simple and easily available. They need no maintenance cost at all and has high removal efficiency. Besides, this plant is capable of removing other impurities simultaneously.

The technologies applied so far have yielded good results through ensuring not only the supply of arsenic-free water but also through preventing different water-borne diseases and removing bad taste and odour in both surface and underground water, he added.

Source: Financial Express

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