╨╧рб▒с>■  ,6■    !"#$%&'()*+9ьm √                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 ье┴Y ┐¤эbjbjєWєW сС=С=┴уию      ]rrr | ░░░─ ─ ─ ─ 8№TPф─  ╘ ^ ~"Ф"Ф"к"4Rd<d╚>4И╘К╘К╘К╘К╘К╘К╘$╫Ї ┘Dо╘Q░№?ф0.4№?№?о╘аvИИФ"к": аvаvаv№?Ў%И╘Ф"░к"И╘─ ─ ИИИИ№?И╘аv8аv╪{Є ╦о\T░И╘к"4ьАnHHВ└─ ─ Єeо║╙╬ Arsenic 2000  An Overview of the Arsenic Issue in Bangladesh Elizabeth M. Jones Projects Officer December 2000 Email comments to Elizabeth Jones: elizabet@bdonline.com PURPOSE WaterAid Bangladesh has prepared this report to provide an overview of the arsenic issue in Bangladesh primarily for agencies, organisations and individuals who are not water sector specialists and who want an informed summary of current knowledge on: the background to the arsenic contamination issue the potential scale of the problem the work of 35 organisations active in arsenic mitigation the instrumentation methods for the detection of arsenic the arsenic mitigation options the way forward In addition, a primary objective of the document is to promote co-ordination and information sharing between organisations and to highlight the need for prompt action with regard to arsenic mitigation. Much of the required information for immediate arsenic mitigation interventions is available, but collation of inter-agency data is urgently required, as is a pro-active approach to the development of a timely, national mitigation strategy. WaterAid Bangladesh and its partner organisations in Bangladesh intend to disseminate the collated information in various formats and languages, with a particular focus on participatory information media for NGOs supporting communities affected by arsenic contamination. WaterAid intends that this report will be built upon with further sections on the chemistry of arsenic in groundwater and new mitigation technologies as they emerge from research and testing, plus regular updates on arsenic mitigation programmesТ progress and learning. ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS The documentation would not have been possible without the active participation and input of the majority of the 35 organisations who willingly supplied detailed information on their programmes' arsenic activities. The author would like to offer special thanks to Han Heijnen, Ross Nickson, David Sutherland, Nasir Uddin and Karin Heissler for their support and advice during the documentation of this report. The views and recommendations expressed in this report are solely those of WaterAid Bangladesh.  Concept: Author: Timothy J. Claydon Elizabeth M. Jones Country Representative Projects Officer CONTENTS  TOC \o "1-4" 1.0 Introduction  PAGEREF _Toc500830079 \h 1 2.0 Background  PAGEREF _Toc500830080 \h 2 2.1 Summary of origin and scale of the problem  PAGEREF _Toc500830081 \h 2 3.0 Current Activities  PAGEREF _Toc500830082 \h 3 3.1 Department of Public Health Engineering (DPHE)  PAGEREF _Toc500830083 \h 3 3.1.1 Bangladesh Arsenic Mitigation Water Supply Project (BAMWSP)  PAGEREF _Toc500830084 \h 3 3.1.2 DPHE Research & Development Division  PAGEREF _Toc500830085 \h 3 3.1.3 DPHE / UNICEF  PAGEREF _Toc500830086 \h 4 3.1.4 DPHE / World Health Organisation (WHO)  PAGEREF _Toc500830087 \h 4 3.1.5 DPHE / DANIDA  PAGEREF _Toc500830088 \h 5 3.2 Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MoHFW)  PAGEREF _Toc500830089 \h 6 3.3 Department of Public Health Services / UNICEF  PAGEREF _Toc500830090 \h 6 3.4 Ministry of Water Resources (MoWR)  PAGEREF _Toc500830091 \h 7 3.5 World Bank  PAGEREF _Toc500830092 \h 7 3.6 Swiss Agency for Development and Co-operation (SDC)  PAGEREF _Toc500830093 \h 8 3.7 Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA)  PAGEREF _Toc500830094 \h 8 3.8 Department for International Development (DFID)  PAGEREF _Toc500830095 \h 9 3.9 Japan International Co-operation Agency (JICA)  PAGEREF _Toc500830096 \h 9 3.10 Australian Aid (AusAID)  PAGEREF _Toc500830097 \h 10 3.11 United States State Department  PAGEREF _Toc500830098 \h 10 3.12 Water and Sanitation Programme (WSP) Bangladesh  PAGEREF _Toc500830099 \h 10 3.13 United Nations Development Programme (UNDP)  PAGEREF _Toc500830100 \h 11 3.14 Rotary International  PAGEREF _Toc500830101 \h 11 3.15 Arsenic Crisis Information Centre (ACIC)  PAGEREF _Toc500830102 \h 12 3.16 Dhaka Community Hospital Trust (DCHT)  PAGEREF _Toc500830103 \h 12 3.17 PROSHIKA  PAGEREF _Toc500830104 \h 13 3.18 BRAC  PAGEREF _Toc500830105 \h 13 3.19 Grameen Bank  PAGEREF _Toc500830106 \h 14 3.20 WaterAid Bangladesh  PAGEREF _Toc500830107 \h 15 3.21 Village Education Resource Centre (VERC)  PAGEREF _Toc500830108 \h 16 3.22 WATSAN Partnership (WPP)  PAGEREF _Toc500830109 \h 16 3.23 CARE Bangladesh  PAGEREF _Toc500830110 \h 17 3.24 Bangladesh University for Engineering and Technology (BUET)  PAGEREF _Toc500830111 \h 17 3.25 University of Dhaka  PAGEREF _Toc500830112 \h 18 3.26 International Development Enterprises (IDE)  PAGEREF _Toc500830113 \h 19 3.27 World Health Organisation (WHO)  PAGEREF _Toc500830114 \h 19 3.28 NGO Forum for Drinking Water and Sanitation  PAGEREF _Toc500830115 \h 20 3.29 International Center for Diahorreal Disease Research, Bangladesh (ICDDRB)  PAGEREF _Toc500830116 \h 22 3.30 London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine (LSHTM)  PAGEREF _Toc500830117 \h 22 3.31 Bangladesh Consultants Limited (BCL)  PAGEREF _Toc500830118 \h 22 4.0 Instrumentation Methods for Detection of Arsenic  PAGEREF _Toc500830119 \h 24 4.1 Field Test Kit Methodologies  PAGEREF _Toc500830120 \h 24 4.11 Mercury Bromide stain method  PAGEREF _Toc500830121 \h 24 4.12 Calorimetric methods  PAGEREF _Toc500830122 \h 25 5.0 Arsenic Mitigation Options  PAGEREF _Toc500830123 \h 27 5.1 Alternative Safe Water Options  PAGEREF _Toc500830124 \h 27 5.2 Arsenic Removal technologies  PAGEREF _Toc500830125 \h 28 5.2.1 Household level Arsenic Removal Technologies  PAGEREF _Toc500830126 \h 29 5.2.2 Community Level Arsenic Removal Technologies  PAGEREF _Toc500830127 \h 29 6.0 Conclusion and way forward  PAGEREF _Toc500830128 \h 31 6.1 Emergency or Short Term Strategy  PAGEREF _Toc500830129 \h 31 6.2 Long term strategy  PAGEREF _Toc500830130 \h 31 6.2.1 Urgent requirements:  PAGEREF _Toc500830131 \h 32 6.2.1.1 Formation of a clear, concise arsenic avoidance strategy and best practice packages.  PAGEREF _Toc500830132 \h 32 6.2.1.2 Field Test Kit Validation  PAGEREF _Toc500830133 \h 32 6.2.1.3 Technical assistance to local manufacturers  PAGEREF _Toc500830134 \h 33 6.2.1.4 Georeferencing and labelling / tagging  PAGEREF _Toc500830135 \h 33 6.2.1.5 Guidance on cost recovery / subsidies  PAGEREF _Toc500830136 \h 33 6.2.1.6 Rapid assessment / evaluation of alternative water source options  PAGEREF _Toc500830137 \h 33 6.2.1.7 Food chain and health effect studies  PAGEREF _Toc500830138 \h 34 6.2.1.8 Information dissemination strategy  PAGEREF _Toc500830139 \h 34 6.2.2 Essential requirements:  PAGEREF _Toc500830140 \h 34 6.2.2.1 Formation of a Rapid Response Committee  PAGEREF _Toc500830141 \h 34 6.2.2.2 Co-ordination  PAGEREF _Toc500830142 \h 34 6.2.2.3 Three month national level objectives with shared responsibility and clear timing for outputs  PAGEREF _Toc500830143 \h 35 6.2.2.4 Small contracts / tenders to encourage local private sector  PAGEREF _Toc500830144 \h 35 6.2.2.5 Public, NGO, donor, private sector working together  PAGEREF _Toc500830145 \h 35 6.2.2.6 Tubewell Monitoring Strategy & Seasonality testing  PAGEREF _Toc500830146 \h 35 6.2.2.7 Deep Aquifer Investigations  PAGEREF _Toc500830147 \h 35 6.2.2.8 Health Issues  PAGEREF _Toc500830148 \h 35 6.2.2.9 Lesson learning regionally  PAGEREF _Toc500830149 \h 35  LIST OF ANNEXES ANNEXE 1 Primary, Secondary and Tertiary Symptoms of Arsenicosis ANNEXE 2 Dhaka University Research Papers ANNEXE 3 Emergency Arsenic Task Force Maps MAP 1 Number of Arsenic Hot-Spot Villages MAP 2 Thanas with Hot-Spot Villages & Location of Arsenic/WSS Projects MAP 3 Thana Locations of Organisations Arsenic/WSS Projects ANNEXE 4 NGO Forum's Arsenic Related Research Activities ANNEXE 5 WaterAid / BGS Water Quality Fact Sheet: ARSENIC ANNEXE 6 WaterAid Bangladesh Participatory Arsenic Awareness Tools ANNEXE 7 Description of SODIS ANNEXE 8 Emergency Arsenic Response Approach ANNEXE 9 Detail on household level arsenic removal technologies ANNEXE 10 Detail on community level arsenic removal technologies Introduction As a result of a large effort by Government, donors and NGOs over the last twenty years an estimated 97% of drinking water in Bangladesh is now supplied by groundwater, this was considered one of the most effective public health measures in the country. Tubewells have, in the majority, replaced the traditional surface water sources and diarrhoeal disease has reduced significantly. In the early 1990s high arsenic concentrations were reported in the groundwater of Nawabgonj, western Bangladesh. There has been a large amount of debate with reference to the source and release mechanism of the arsenic. It is now widely accepted that it is of natural, geological origin. The arsenic is thought to be closely associated with iron oxides. The release mechanism of arsenic from the sediments into the groundwater is hotly debated. Evidence exists to support both reduction and oxidation theories. Every round of water quality tests show more wells that exceed the Bangladesh standard of 50 parts per billion (ppb) for arsenic in drinking water. The equivalent of ppb is micrograms/litre or ╝g/l. The World Health Organisation (WHO) guideline value for arsenic in drinking water is 10ppb. Measuring arsenic in water accurately is not simple at concentrations important for human health. Reliable field methods are yet to be fully developed and evaluated. A protocol for marking unsafe tubewells red (greater than 50ppb of arsenic) and safe tubewells green (less than 50 ppb of arsenic) has been widely adopted. Today an estimated: ╖Ё 25 million people are exposed, ╖Ё 59 out of 64 districts have arsenic contaminated ground water, 249 out of 464 upazilas are affected and over 7000 patients have been identified. Every day more cases of arsenosis are reported in the media. Arsenic in water is invisible and has no taste or smell. Health effects from consuming arsenic-contaminated drinking-water are delayed. Skin lesions are generally first. The most important remedial action is the prevention of further exposure by providing safe drinking water. Grave concern exists for future health effects and the number of people affected by arsenic poisoning. Malnutrition and Hepatitis B, both of which are prevalent in Bangladesh, accentuate the effects of arsenic poisoning. Three stages of arsenicosis symptoms (primary, secondary and tertiary) are described in Annex 1. Long-term ingestion of high concentrations of arsenic from drinking water gives rise to a number of health problems, particularly skin disorders, the most common are pigmentation changes (dark/light skin spots) and keratosis (warty nodules usually on the palms and soles of feet). Internal cancers have been linked with arsenic in drinking water. Many of the advanced and more serious clinical symptoms are incurable. Arsenicosis is not contagious. Community level arsenic awareness and knowledge is generally low. Information, Education and Communication (IEC) materials have been and are being developed. Mass media and grass roots participatory education tools are an important aspect of an holistic arsenic mitigation strategy. There is a clear need for safe water options and a co-ordinated approach to the arsenic issue. The current situation is such that numerous Governmental departments, donors, NGOs, development banks and academic institutions are involved in the technical and social issues relating to arsenic contaminated groundwater. Documentation of who is doing what where is not readily accessible. This report briefly summarises the activities of various organisations in the hope of increasing co-ordination, information sharing and thus the effectiveness of the collaborative inputs. Further clarification on specific points relating to organisations' activities should be addressed to the concerned organisation. Ongoing updates to this report will be necessary. Background 2.1 Summary of origin and scale of the problem It is now generally agreed that the arsenic contamination of groundwater in Bangladesh is of geological origin. The arsenic derives from the geological strata underlying Bangladesh. The arsenic is thought to be closely associated with iron oxides. Arsenic occurs in two oxidation states in water. In reduced (anaerobic) conditions it is dominated by the reduced form: arsenite. In oxidising conditions the oxidised form dominates: arsenate. There are two main theories as to how arsenic is released into the groundwater: Pyrite oxidation. In response to pumping, air or water with dissolved oxygen penetrates into the ground, leading to decomposition of the sulphide minerals and release of arsenic. Oxyhydroxide reduction. Arsenic was naturally transported in the river systems of Bangladesh adsorbed onto fine-grained iron or manganese oxyhydroxides. These were deposited in flood plains and buried in the sedimentary column. Due to the strongly reducing conditions which developed in the sediments and groundwater of certain parts of Bangladesh the arsenic was released into groundwater. The release mechanism is still hotly debated but the second theory is thought to be the more likely explanation. Natural processes of groundwater flushing will eventually wash the arsenic away but this will take thousands or tens of thousands of years. The flushing is particularly slow in the Bengal Basin in general because it is so large and flat. Local variations in the rate of groundwater movement due to the location of rivers and variations in topography or type of sediment (clay, silt or sand) probably account for much of the local variation. Natural processes of sedimentation and sediment transport create variations in the arsenic problem within the Bengal Basin, e.g. greater concentration in South East Bangladesh. The British Geological Survey (BGS) national survey (3500 samples) found that 27% of shallow tubewells exceeded the 50 ╡g L-1 (50ppb) Bangladesh arsenic standard. Comparable statistics for the WHO guideline value (10 ╡g L-1 or 10ppb) show that 46% of shallow wells exceeded the value (Kinniburgh & Smedley, 2000). The spatial distribution of arsenic concentrations above 50ppb in the BGS second phase survey showed district basis variations from 90% of sampled wells in Chandpur to none in the eight north-western districts. Predicting exactly which wells are affected is difficult at the village scale and a strategic aim must therefore be to measure all or most of the wells in Bangladesh for arsenic. There are approximately 4.5 million public (installed by Government departments) and a total 9 million tubewells in Bangladesh. An estimated 97% of the Bangladesh population of 120 million drink well water. Until the discovery of arsenic in groundwater, well water was regarded as safe for drinking. Piped water supplies are available only to a small portion of the total population. In some areas, the deep aquifer and shallow dug wells may provide reliable long-term sources of groundwater for drinking but a strategy for protecting the deep aquifer would be essential. The BGS results indicated that there were no other groundwater quality problems on a comparable scale to arsenic although there are quite common exceedances of WHO health-related standards for manganese, boron and uranium. Current Activities Department of Public Health Engineering (DPHE) DPHE is one of the key departments under the Ministry of Local Government Rural Development and Co-operatives (LGRD&C). DPHE has a number of different arsenic activities at various levels of implementation and is working with a wide variety of development organisations. A summary of the DPHE arsenic activities follows. Further details are contained under the partner and / or supporting organisations. 3.1.1 Bangladesh Arsenic Mitigation Water Supply Project (BAMWSP) BAMWSP is the National co-ordinating project for arsenic issues relating to water supply. Its US$44.4million budget is co-financed by Government of Bangladesh (GoB), World Bank and Swiss Agency for Development and Co-operation (SDC). BAMWSP aims to co-ordinate arsenic interventions and through its National Arsenic Mitigation Information Centre (NAMIC) collect, collate and disseminate arsenic information from and to interested or active organisations. The project was formally launched September 1998 for a period of four years. To date 6% of funds have been disbursed. The BAMWSP Technical Advisory Group (TAG) consists of an eight strong panel of experts who, at the request of BAMWSP, advise on technical issues such as alternative drinking water sources, field test kit specifications and arsenic removal technologies. Currently the TAG have recommended the following arsenic mitigation measures: Pond Sand Filter Deep Tubewell Rainwater Harvesting Hand -dug Well Three Kolshi Arsenic Removal Technology Included in the mandate of BAMWSP is the emergency activity of screening all tubewells within six upazilas, this has been completed. BAMWSP are currently testing various arsenic removal technologies and alternative drinking water sources. Longer-term objectives incorporate the identification of all arsenic affected thanas and the full tubewell screening and arsenic mitigation of 40 upazilas. BAMWSP aims to co-ordinate and direct other developmental organisations to arsenic affected upazilas in an effort to minimise duplication and maximise the effectiveness of the combined activities. Contact: Mr. Farid Uddin Ahmed Mia, Project Director, BAMWSP Road # 31, House # 450, New D.O.H.S. Dhaka 1206, Tel: 8813815, Fax # 8813646 , Email: HYPERLINK "mailto:pdamwsp@bol.online.com"pdamwsp@bol.online.com Contact: : Dr. Nurrazaman BAMWSP House # 450, Road # 31, New DOHS Mohakhali Dhaka-1206 Tel: 8815735 Fax: 8813646 Email:  HYPERLINK mailto:pdamwsp@bol-online.com pdamwsp@bol-online.com DPHE Research & Development Division The Research and Development Division (R&DD) of DPHE have been instrumental in a number of large and small-scale arsenic initiatives. These include a field test kit survey of 21,000 tubewells and mapping the extent of arsenic contamination; testing arsenic removal technologies and alternative options; implementing mitigation measures; training DPHE field staff in use of arsenic field test kits DPHE / British Geological Survey (BGS) / Mott MacDonald Ltd carried out a rapid investigation into groundwater studies for arsenic contamination of all thanas (except in the Chittagong Hill Tracts) which identified the extent of arsenic contaminated groundwater within Bangladesh. Phase one included the compilation, review and database of existing groundwater and sediment arsenic data from Bangladesh; a systematic groundwater quality survey using laboratory analysis for the 41 districts then believed to be worst affected in Bangladesh; a detailed geochemical investigation in three special study areas; modelling the movement of groundwater and arsenic in a typical Bangladesh situation. Phase two continued from Phase one and extended the survey to the remaining districts of Bangladesh excluding the three districts of the Chittagong Hill Tracts. All information is available on both DPHE and BGS web sites www addresses. Contact: Mr. Ihtishamul Huq Executive Engineer (XEN R&D Division) DPHE, DPHE Bhaban 14 Captain Monsur Ali Sarani Kakrail, Dhaka-1000 Tel: 9330061 Fax: 9343357 Email:  HYPERLINK mailto:bgs@bangla.net bgs@bangla.net DPHE / UNICEF The DPHE / UNICEF arsenic mitigation initiative to date has consisted of several National-scale activities and a focussed 'Action Research' project in five upazillas. The national-scale activities undertaken include testing of 51,000 tubewells in 1998 using field test kits to give the first idea of the scale of contamination Nationwide and the development and testing of a comprehensive communication campaign including radio and television spots. The 'Action Research into Community Based Arsenic Mitigation' project has worked in five upazillas with BRAC (two upazillas), Grameen Bank, Dhaka Community Hospital Trust and the Integrated Service for the Development of Children and Mothers (ISDCM - with Rotary Funding). The project followed an integrated approach and included four main activities: communication about arsenic and arsenicosis; testing of all tubewells in the upazilla; arsenicosis patient identification / support / implementation; monitoring and evaluation of alternative water supply technologies. The technologies tested ranged from home-based solutions such as the 3-kolshi arsenic removal filter to community-based solutions such as the Pond Sand Filter (PSF) for treatment of surface water. DPHE / UNICEF are currently developing the second phase of the project which has similar activities with further emphasis placed on sustainability, community involvement and community cost sharing. The phase two project is planned to work in 15 upazillas. Three out of the fifteen upazillas will be funded by the UN Foundation. This project will be undertaken jointly with the WHO and will include a research component, which will be handled by the WHO. DFID is the main funder of a US$ 49.3million five year Rural Hygiene, Sanitation and Water Supply Project, implemented by DPHE with assistance from UNICEF. The water supply component is primarily aimed at low water table and underserved areas in 38 districts of Bangladesh. It is not specifically targeted at arsenic-affected areas but measures will be taken to ensure that all water supplies provided are free from arsenic. Implementation is expected to commence early in 2001, on completion of the inception phase. Contact: Mr. Ihtishamul Huq Executive Engineer (XEN R&D Division) DPHE, DPHE Bhaban 14 Captain Monsur Ali Sarani Kakrail, Dhaka-1000 Tel: 9330061 Fax: 9343357 Email:  HYPERLINK mailto:bgs@bangla.net bgs@bangla.net Contact:  HYPERLINK mailto:shislam@unicef.org  Md. Shafiqul Islam Deputy Chief (Water & Sanitation) UNICEF, BSL Office Complex 1 Minto Road, Dhaka-1000 Tel: 9336701-20, Fax: 9335641-2 Email:  HYPERLINK mailto:shislam@unicef.org shislam@unicef.org  3.1.4 DPHE / World Health Organisation (WHO) The WHO Environmental Health Team in Bangladesh has supported the Government of Bangladesh since the early stages of recognition of the arsenic problem (1994), mostly by providing technical expertise. This expertise included both technological aspects of arsenic removal and an epidemiological review of the health effects and immediate actions required for mitigation. As a result in 1997, WHO acknowledged that arsenic in drinking water was a "Major Public Health Issue" which should be dealt with on an "Emergency Basis". Joint studies with local institutes have been carried out to test household arsenic removal techniques and the quality of alternative drinking water sources. An evaluation was made of the field test kits available (1998). WHO has been an active partner to Government and in the context of interagency collaboration, through the organisation of a National Co-ordination conference, support for various aspects of arsenic mitigation, and through the management of an interlaboratory comparison exercise aimed at improving capacity of local laboratories to determine arsenic contamination in water. Partners include other UN agencies such as UNICEF, the World Bank, IAEA, UNIDO and the FAO. WHO have been involved in an informal Emergency Arsenic Taskforce which has documented an emergency action approach and funded a geographical information system (GIS) mapping of arsenic hotspot villages and working areas of various arsenic projects (see appendix 3). This information is held by NAMIC who are responsible for updating the maps. WHO have been instrumental in encouraging best practice and inter-agency co-ordination. WHO and UNICEF will shortly start a two-year action research project on arsenic mitigation in three upazillas, with funding from the UN Foundation. In addition to funding direct mitigation activities the project will monitor interventions and determine their usefulness in recipient populations, review the earlier UNICEF five-upazilla project for health impacts and analyse the arsenic health effects in the MATLAB health and population research area of ICDDRB. Contact: Mr. Han A. Heijnen, Environmental Health Advisor, World Health Organization, DPHE Bhaban, Kakrail, Dhaka 1000 14 Captain Monsur Ali Sarani Kakrail, Dhaka-1000 Tel: 934-3372, Fax: 8613247, E-mail: HYPERLINK "mailto:whosani@citechco.net"whosani@citechco.net 3.1.5 DPHE / DANIDA The DPHE/DANIDA Arsenic Mitigation Component aims to work within the visions of arsenic mitigation as expressed in the objectives of the National policy. These are: Facilitating the access of all citizens to arsenic free water Bringing behavioural changes necessary for ensuring continued use of arsenic free water for drinking and cooking Reducing the incidence of arsenic poisoning Building capacity in local governments and communities to deal more effectively with arsenic related problems Awareness creation and promoting sustainable arsenic mitigation options Promoting the use of surface and rainwater in order to reduce the intake of arsenic contaminated water Learning from their previous one year pilot project the approach is planned to be replicated in 11 thanas (Bakergonj, Banaripara, Barisal sadar, Ujirpur under Barisal district, Pirojpur sadar under Pirojpur district, Sonagazi under Feni district, Lakshmipur sadar, Raipur, Ramgati under Lakshmipur district, Begumgonj, Noakhali sadar under Noakhali district). The activities and outputs to date have included: Project orientation, baseline survey, screening of all tubewells; training of trainers for the staff members and other stakeholders, development of IEC materials, awareness creation; development and implementation of the Bucket Treatment Units (BTU), fill and draw (F&D), three kolshi as arsenic removal technologies; testing of alternative treatment technologies; safe water supply through the installation of deep tubewells, mini pipe schemes and rainwater harvesting; Geographical Information System (GIS) mapping, data base and inventory of tubewells; assessment of field test kit reliability; equipping and running one laboratory in Noakhali. The total budget for the DPHE/DANIDA Arsenic Mitigation Project is approximately US$ 9million. Contact: Md. Iqbal Choudhury Team Leader, Arsenic Mitigation Component, DPHE / DANIDA Water Supply & Sanitation Components, DPHE Bhaban, Kakrail, Dhaka 1000 Tel- 9346167-70, Fax # 9344791, E-mail:  HYPERLINK mailto:watsap@dhaka.agni.com watsap@dhaka.agni.com Contact: Mr. Bidyuth Kumar GIS Specialist DPHE-Danida Arsenic Mitigation project DPHE Bhaban Kakrail, Dhaka-1000 Tel: 9346167-70 Fax: 9344791 Email:  HYPERLINK mailto:watsap@dhaka.agni.com watsap@dhaka.agni.com Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MoHFW) In 1996 a National Steering Committee for Arsenic Mitigation related activities was formed and headed by the Honourable Minister for Health and Family Welfare. The mandate of this Steering Committee was formulation of policies, endorsement of programmes, monitoring and co-ordination of activities related to the arsenic contamination. The committee is scheduled to convene every three-months. The Cabinet Secretary, Secretaries of all concerned ministries and Heads of all concerned government departments, local and overseas agencies have been included in the membership of the committee. The MoHFW, with GoB Funding, have completed the following projects and activities: a Technical Assistance Project (approximately US$100,000) from February 1997 to June 1998 implemented in seven districts concentrating on patient identification and treatment. Source water was tested for arsenic concentrations. Community awareness programmes were initiated using appropriate communication materials. All health personnel of the project districts were trained in patient identification and treatment. A total of 3200 patients were identified. A similar project (approximately US$16,000) was undertaken in Chapa Nawabganj district where 400 arsenic affected patients were identified. An eight-month UNDP funded emergency programme for arsenic mitigation (US $0.5 million) was implemented in the worst effected 200 villages of 20 districts. This project was a combination of survey and technology option testing. All tubewells in these villages were tested for arsenic and painted red or green accordingly. A GIS (Geographical Information System) was developed to identify the hot spots on a pilot basis. Arsenic removal technologies were tested. Information Education & Communication (IEC) activities were implemented. The programme was conducted through a GO-NGO approach under supervision of the MoH&FW. The results showed that 62% of the tubewells in these 200 villages were found arsenic polluted and 0.3% of the total population was found to show symptoms of arsenic poisoning. A Phase-II US$1.2 million UNDP funded emergency programme was completed June 2000 in 300 villages. The project aimed at providing immediate relief to the 300 most affected villages in Bangladesh. The project objective was to identify patients, test and mark all tubewells, identify and provide the best option for arsenic free water; and follow-up on the status of villages in which interventions had been carried out in Phase 1. All works were contracted out to appropriate agencies for implementation under the supervision of Deputy Programme Manager (Arsenic), MoH&FW. In addition, from July 1999, MoH&FW has developed a treatment protocol and Information Education Communication (IEC) activities. MoH&FW with UNICEF funding have trained 1600 doctors and 7000 health workers for case identification. To date more than 9000 patients have been identified with visible signs of arsenicosis through MOH&FW managed initiatives. Contact: Dr. A. Z. M. Itekhar Hossain Deputy program Manager (Arsenic) Ministry of Health and Family Welfare NIPSOM Building 324 Mohakhali, Dhaka-1212 Tel: 8821236, 600768 Fax: 8821236 Email:  HYPERLINK mailto:iftikhar@bdonline.com iftikhar@bdonline.com Department of Public Health Services / UNICEF UNICEF have supported DPHS and Dhaka Community Hospital Trust to develop a patient treatment protocol and in training doctors and health workers in 80 districts across the country. DPHS and UNICEF are working together to build capacity of public health workers to identify and treat patients. The health division of UNICEF also supports the following activities: Active patient identification in UNICEF working areas by house to house screening Compilation of a patient profile with all related information such as - biological investigation results (including nail and urine) water information, sign-symptoms etc. Disseminate patient lists to relevant organisations, so that alternate options are prioritised to the areas with most patients. Distribute medicine (anti-oxidants and skin ointment) to the identified patients. Nationwide training of doctors and health workers through DGHS. Establish a referral and surveillance system with collaboration from DGHS and DCHT (link patient with alternate water options in addition to treatment facilities) Collaboration with CDC for epidemiological studies. A planned collaboration study with DCHT to see efficiency of different treatment options for the patients. Contact: Dr Yasmin Ali Haque, Project Officer, UNICEF, 1 Minto Road, BSL Office Complex, Dhaka Tel: 880-2-9336701-10 Fax: 880-2-9335641-42 Email:  HYPERLINK mailto:yhaque@unicef.org yhaque@unicef.org Ministry of Water Resources (MoWR) The National Water Management Plan Project (NWMPP) has submitted a Draft Development Strategy (DDS) to the Water Resources Planning Organisation (WARPO). The NWMPP recognises the urgent need for arsenic-free domestic water supplies, but sets the problem in the context of the 25-year planning horizon. This context envisages: A raising of arsenic standards by GoB to match existing WHO standards of 10ppb Increased faecal contamination of static surface sources and the shallow aquifer Increased agri-chemical contamination as farmers try to raise yields to meet a 44% decline in arable land/capita Expansion of areas where water tables fall below the suction limit of Village Handpumps (VHP) for water supply and Shallow Tubewells (STW) for irrigation in the dry season, as irrigation continues to expand Increased vulnerability to drought due to global warming, slight in an average year but dramatic in a dry year. An increase in living standards and demands from women for household access to water and improved services and a need to reduce the time spent in queues for water. The DDS notes that Deep Tubewells (DTWs) are a potential solution, but are expensive to provide for small groups. Even with a Tara pump they serve approximately 100 people with limited supplies. DTW fitted with small (1kW, 1 litre/sec) submersible pumps could supply 50 lcd piped water supply to 1000 people through a 50mm diameter distribution system for an average cost of 4Tk/m3. The option meets criteria of quality, sustainability, affordability and implementability. The DDS recognises than before such systems can be advocated on a large scale, field testing of the concept is needed. The total cost to the Government of Bangladesh for 120 million people is estimated at US$450 million. DDS notes that Dhaka is in an area relatively free of arsenic, but if the current expansion south and east continues, the risk will increase, as falling water tables will draw in water from greater distances. An aqueduct conveying 20m3/s of water from the Jamuna Bridge, where the minimum flow is 6000m3/s, may appear to be an option which is cost effective. Contact: Sushanta Chandra Khan Joint Secretary, Ministry of Water Resources Bangladesh Secretariat, Dhaka-1000 Tel: 8615992, Fax: 8612400 World Bank The US$44.4million National level Bangladesh Arsenic Mitigation Water Supply Project (BAMWSP) is co-funded by GoB, World Bank and SDC. In August 1998 World Bank approved credit of US$32.4million to GoB to implement the four-year project. To date 6% of funds have been disbursed. BAMWSP (see section 3.11) aims to co-ordinate arsenic interventions and through its National Arsenic Mitigation Information Centre (NAMIC) collect, collate and disseminate arsenic information from and to interested or active organisations. BAMWSP's Project Management Unit (PMU) is headed by DPHE. BAMWSP is task managed by the World Bank Dhaka office. The World Bank Dhaka office is planning to distribute over 100,000 household level arsenic removal technologies through their Nationwide nutrition programme. Information will be disseminated as to patient identification, treatment and referral mechanisms. World Bank has funded various workshops on technical issues relating to safe water sources. World Bank has been involved in the organisation of photograph exhibitions in an attempt to raise the profile of arsenic in drinking water. Contact: Dr Bilqis Amin Hoque Senior Water and Sanitation Specialist World Bank, Resident Mission in Bangladesh 3A Paribagh, Prioprangan Apartment Dhaka-1000 Tel: 8611056-8, Fax: 8613220, 8615351 Email:  HYPERLINK mailto:bhoque@worldbank.org bhoque@worldbank.org Swiss Agency for Development and Co-operation (SDC) SDC, with GoB and World Bank, is co-funding the US$44.4million National level Bangladesh Arsenic Mitigation Water Supply Project (BAMWSP). In August 1998 World Bank approved credit of US$32.4million to GoB to implement the project. BAMWSP (see section 3.11) aims to co-ordinate arsenic interventions and through its National Arsenic Mitigation Information Centre (NAMIC) collect, collate and disseminate arsenic information from and to interested or active organisations. BAMWSP's Project Management Unit (PMU) is headed by DPHE. The WATSAN Partnership Project (see section 3.22) is SDC funded and is a collaborative community based rural water supply, sanitation and hygiene sector project currently undertaken in Rajshahi and Chapai Nawabgonj Districts. The problem of arsenic contamination in ground water has necessitated investigation and implementation of affordable new technologies for the most severely affected people in the project area. Contact: Anm Rahmatullah Habib, Swiss Development Co-operation (SDC) Embassy of Switzerland House # B-31, Road # 18 Banani, Dhaka-1213 Tel: 8812392-4 Fax: 8823497 Email:  HYPERLINK mailto:dhaka@sdc.net dhaka@sdc.net Contact: Dr. Fazila Banu Lili Programme Officer Swiss Development Co-operation (SDC) Embassy of Switzerland House # B-31, Road # 18 Banani, Dhaka-1213 Tel: 8812392-4 Fax: 8823497 Email:  HYPERLINK mailto:dhaka@sdc.net dhaka@sdc.net Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA) CIDA are currently funding a three year (2000/2003) Environmental Technology Verification (ETV-AM) -Arsenic Mitigation Project. The project works closely with the Technical Advisory Group (TAG) and BAMWSP (see section 3.11) and is implemented though the Ministry of Local Government, Rural Development and Co-operatives, Local Government Division and Ontario Centre for Environmental Technology Advancement (OCETA). The CIDA contribution to the project is approximately US$2.7million. The objective of the project is to develop a transparent process for assessing and verifying arsenic removal technologies and the transfer of the process and procedures to an entity designated by the Government of Bangladesh. The main outputs will include internationally recognised criteria for examining arsenic removal technologies; a process for certification of arsenic removal technologies and confirmed technology viability through a comprehensive field verification program. Contact: Ms. Sylvia Islam Development Adviser Canadian High Commission (CIDA) House # 16/A, Road # 48 Gulshan, Dhaka-1213 Tel: 9887091-7, Fax: 8826585, 8823043 Email:  HYPERLINK mailto:sylvia.islam@dfait-maeci.gc.ca sylvia.islam@dfait-maeci.gc.ca Department for International Development (DFID) DFID have funded numerous initiatives on the arsenic issue. These include a two phased approach by DPHE / British Geological Survey (BGS) / Mott MacDonald Ltd. Phase one included the compilation review and database of existing groundwater and sediment arsenic data from Bangladesh; a systematic groundwater quality survey using laboratory analysis for the 41 districts then believed to be worst affected in Bangladesh; a detailed geochemical investigation in three special study areas; modelling the movement of groundwater and arsenic in a typical Bangladesh situation. Phase two continued from Phase one and extended the survey to the remaining districts of Bangladesh excluding the three districts of the Chittagong Hill Tracts. All information is available on both DPHE and BGS web sites www addresses. The Rapid Assessment of Household level Arsenic Removal Technologies is a DFID funded initiative. The study is jointly managed by WaterAid Bangladesh and DFID and implemented by WS Atkins International Ltd. The consultancy will focus on nine household level arsenic removal technologies with a first phase concentrating on field testing technical parameters and a second phase of technical and social parameter testing. The project will feed its rapid response results into longer-term initiatives in Bangladesh. Canadian CIDA (section 3.7) are supporting a substantial intervention in partnership with Bangladeshi agencies and will assist BAMWSP to develop an Environmental Technology Verification (ETV) protocol. The DFID consultancy will work closely with BAMWSP and the development of the ETV protocol, use the ETV protocol (at draft stage) and give feedback through field testing of the ETV protocol. A spin-off benefit of this DFID funded study will be the comparative evaluation of the Merck, GPL, HACH, NCL and PeCo75 arsenic field test kits (see section 4.1 for details on field test kits). Phase one results are expected late 2000. DFID will fund an Arsenic Mitigation and Epidemiology Project implemented by Dhaka Community Hospital Trust, with technical support from the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine. The three-year project will have an approximate budget of US$3million. The three-month inception phase is planned to commence November 2000. The main components of this project would focus on the assessment of community based arsenic mitigation models using socio-epidemiological methods. The goal of the project is to reduce, using an affordable, sustainable and community integrated programme, both the incidence and prevalence of arsenic related ill health in Bangladesh. DFID is the major funder of a US$ 49.3million five year Rural Hygiene, Sanitation and Water Supply Project, implemented by DPHE with assistance from UNICEF. The water supply component is primarily aimed at low water table and underserved areas in 38 districts of Bangladesh. It is not specifically targeted at arsenic-affected areas but measures will be taken to ensure that all water supplies provided are free from arsenic. Implementation is expected to commence early 2001, on completion of the inception phase. Contact: Peregrine Swann Senior Engineering Adviser DFID, United Nations Road Baridhara, Dhaka-1212 Tel: 8822705-9, Fax: 8823474 Email:  HYPERLINK mailto:p-swann@dfid.gov.uk p-swann@dfid.gov.uk Japan International Co-operation Agency (JICA) JICA are funding a Study Team to investigate groundwater development of deep aquifers for safe drinking water supply to arsenic affected areas in Western Bangladesh. The main objective of the study is to prepare a master plan to cope with arsenic contamination of groundwater. Three model purshavas and villages have been selected to carry out detailed pilot testing which includes the following activities: household interviews on socio-economic conditions, arsenic test of tubewells, drilling of deep wells, performance and testing of arsenic removal equipment and core boring. JICA are also supporting an interlaboratory comparative study which will work closely with the WHO initiative. Contact: Mr. T. Otsuka or Md. Zulfikar Ali, JICA, head office, IDB Bhaban Agargaon (12th Floor) Tel: 9126315, 9132535, Fax # 9128804, 9128857 E-mail: jicabd06@citechco.net E-mail: jicabd07@citechco.net Contact: Dr. Naoaki Shibasaki Hydrogeologist, JICA Study Team TEL: +880-2-602419, 601180, 9880866, 88124443 FAX: +880-2-8826259 E-mail: nshiba@bangla.net Australian Aid (AusAID) AusAID has recently launched the Australian Arsenic Mitigation Program which has a total budget of US$1.6 million. In June 2000 proposals were requested from Bangladesh, India and Australia in a public tender. Implementation will commence January 2001, subject to approval from partner governments. The three activities include: A research project looking at methods of using iron ore to extract arsenic from water. (Orissa, India) A cross sectoral activity with Dhaka Community Hospital Trust (DCHT) which will review methods for providing Bangladesh with safe and clean water and then pilot several of these methods in a number of villages in conjunction with health education. The activity will also upgrade the laboratory at DCHT to enable more sophisticated water quality testing An epidemiology study that will consider the cost of arsenic mitigation in Bangladesh and train representatives of the NGO Forum for Water Supply and Sanitation. Contact: Mr. Rakib Hossain Senior Development Officer Australian High Commission 184 Gulshan Avenue Gulshan, Dhaka-1212 Tel: 8813101-5 Fax: 8811125 Email:  HYPERLINK mailto:rakib.hossain@dfat.gov.uk rakib.hossain@dfat.gov.uk Contact: Charlotte Walsh  HYPERLINK mailto:Charlotte_Walsh@ausaid.gov.au Charlotte_Walsh@ausaid.gov.au United States State Department The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) and Geological Survey of Bangladesh (GSB) are conducting a collaborative investigation of the conditions and processes controlling the high arsenic concentrations in ground water. USGS activities are planned for three more years with support provided by the U.S. State Department. USGS and GSB scientists will work to analyse samples of soil, sediment and water to describe the solid-phase residence of arsenic and the chemical transformations that release the arsenic to the water. Solid-phase samples will be collected from excavations and boreholes. Water samples will be gathered by installing wells at multiple depths in the immediate vicinity of the boreholes so that the correspondence of the solid and water composition can be evaluated. The initial effort is focussed in eastern Bangladesh in the vicinity of Brahmanbaria and Comilla. Plans for 2001 include collecting samples from depths up to 300 meters with the intent of determining the composition of sediments in the УdeepФ aquifer and documenting differences that may account for the apparent low levels of dissolved arsenic in water extracted from greater depths. The goal is to develop an understanding of the sources and sinks of arsenic in the sediment and integrate this result with sedimentology and hydrology. Future work will be at other locations on the Bengal delta (including India) with the intent of adding to efforts of other research teams and co-operatively developing a unified explanation of controls on dissolved arsenic. Contact: George N. Breit U.S. Geological Survey, Box 25046 MS 973 Denver Federal Center, Denver, Colorado 80225 Phone: 303-236-4951 Fax : 303-236-3200 E-mail:  HYPERLINK mailto:gbreit@usgs.gov gbreit@usgs.gov Water and Sanitation Programme (WSP) Bangladesh The WSP is involved in the promotion of best practice in the water and sanitation sector, co-ordination of sector activities and the provision of support to government in policy formulation and implementation. WSP work closely with World Bank water and sanitation team and were involved in the preparation of BAMWSP. WSP activities include technical support to BAMWSP (section 3.11) management and technical support to pilot projects and innovative approaches, organization of arsenic workshops and conferences. WSP currently chairs the Local Consultative Group (LCG) on water supply and sanitation. The LCG is the DonorsТ Co-ordination forum which is scheduled to meet monthly. Contact: Babar N. Kabir Team Leader, WSP Team World Bank Resident Mission in Bangladesh 3A Paribagh, Prioprangan Apartment Dhaka-1000 Tel: 8611056-8 Fax: 8613220, 8615351 Email:  HYPERLINK mailto:bkabir@worldbank.org bkabir@worldbank.org United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Through the Ministry of Health & Family Welfare (MoHFW) UNDP have funded an initial eight month emergency programme for arsenic mitigation (US $0.5 million) which was implemented in the worst effected 200 villages of 20 districts. This project was a combination of survey and technology option testing (see section 3.2). The programme was conducted through a GO-NGO approach under supervision of the MoH&FW. UNDP funded the Phase-II emergency programme US$1.2 million which was completed June 2000 in 300 villages. The project aimed at providing immediate relief to the 300 most affected villages in Bangladesh. The project objective was to identify patients, test and mark all tubewells, identify and provide the best option for arsenic free water; and follow-up on the status of villages in which interventions had been carried out in Phase 1. All works were contracted out to appropriate agencies for implementation under the supervision of Deputy Programme Manager (Arsenic), MoH&FW. Contact: Susanne Giessen Water and Sanitation Section UNDP IDB Bhaban (14th Floor) Agargoan, Dhaka-1207 Tel: 8118600 Fax: 8113169 Email:  HYPERLINK mailto:susanne.geissen@undp.org susanne.geissen@undp.org Rotary International Rotary Clubs are working jointly with UNICEF in combating the problem of arsenic contamination in ground water. Overseas Rotary Clubs have been assisting local Rotary Clubs with funds. Arsenic mitigation activities include installation and assessment of safe water options. The main options promoted are installation of arsenic-free deep tubewells, construction of continuous arsenic removal plant, rainwater harvesting, pond-sand-filter and dug wells. Additional activities include tubewell screening, identification of arsenicosis patients, development of Information, Education and Communication (IEC) materials. The areas covered to date are Manikganj, Behra, Kachua, Sonargaon and Gunarkacha. The Rotary Foundation has recently awarded a Grant of US$ 500,000 for an arsenic mitigation project in Bangladesh. The work on this Project will commence in the near future. Contact: Iftekharul Alam, Project Co-ordinator House 5, Road 66, Gulshan, Dhaka 1212 Tel: 8828098 Fax:8826490  HYPERLINK mailto:ialam@bol-online.com ialam@bol-online.com Contact: David Alexander  HYPERLINK mailto:alexandd@rotaryintl.org alexandd@rotaryintl.org Arsenic Crisis Information Centre (ACIC) The West Bengal & Bangladesh Arsenic Crisis Information Centre was founded in 1997 and is based in Dhaka. ACIC is a private not-for-profit service focusing on enhancing the visibility and accessibility of arsenic crisis related information using Internet technologies. Currently it maintains: - A website at http://bicn.com/acic - An opt-in email newsletter (680 subscribers currently) to announce when new information is added to the website (email acic-subscribe@listbot.com to subscribe) - Three moderated email discussion groups at egroups.com, (1) arsenic-source, for those interested in all aspects of arsenic geochemistry (email arsenic-source-subscribe@egroups.com to subscribe); (2) arsenic-safewater, for those interested in water treatment technologies and alternative supplies (email arsenic-safewater-subscribe@egroups.com to subscribe); and (3) arsenic-medical, for those interested in arsenic disease diagnosis, epidemiology, treatment of symptoms, etc. (email arsenic-medical-subscribe@egroups.com to subscribe) ACIC was an individual effort until October 2000, when a student intern was hired, funded in part by subscriber voluntary donations. Currently an office is being set up and NGO registration is being prepared. Funding will then be sought to support improvement and expansion of the information services offered. ACIC is keenly interested in supporting and cooperating with other organizations, networks, websites, publications, etc., and actively seeks suggestions from stakeholders on how to improve its information services and what new information services should be set up to better serve the community. Contact: Sara Bennett Email: sbennett@bicn.com Dhaka Community Hospital Trust (DCHT) DCHT, a private sector, not-for-profit institution, has contributed significantly towards raising arsenic awareness at Government and international level and have alerted the general public to the incidence of arsenicosis. In 1999 DCHT completed a UNDP/WB funded survey (Rapid Assessment Project - RAP) in 200 villages on behalf of MoH&FW, to verify the extent of contamination and arsenicosis. Using its own resources, DCHT has also completed a country-wide sampling survey of tubewell water and found evidence that 41 of a total of 64 districts could be at risk. DCHT undertook an extension to the RAP, within a further 300 villages. This study was managed and executed through MoH&FW (section 3.2), UNDP funded and completed June 2000. DFID will fund an Arsenic Mitigation and Epidemiology Project implemented by DCHT, with technical support from the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine. The three year project will have an approximate budget of US$3million. The three-month inception phase is planned to commence November 2000. The main components of this project would focus on the assessment of community based arsenic mitigation models using socio-epidemiological methods. The goal of the project is to reduce, using an affordable, sustainable and community integrated programme, both the incidence and prevalence of arsenic related ill health in Bangladesh. To develop and assess the success of community based mitigation models by using scientific epidemiological processes. In additional the project will add to epidemiological knowledge of prevalence and dose response of arsenic poisoning in Bangladesh. AusAID will fund a cross sectoral activity with Dhaka Community Hospital Trust which will review methods for providing Bangladesh with safe and clean water and then pilot several of these methods in a number of villages in conjunction with health education. The activity will also upgrade the laboratory at DCHT to enable more sophisticated water quality testing. DCHT, in collaboration with NGO Forum, Village Education Centre and WaterAid Bangladesh, have undertaken small scale arsenic action research into the effectiveness of community mobilisation and information systems. DCHT have organised international conferences on arsenic and are involved in on going advocacy efforts. Contact: Dr. Imrul Kaies Dhaka Community Hospital Trust (DCHT) 190/1 Boro Mogh Bazar Wireless Rail Gate, Dhaka-1217 Tel: 9351190-1, 8314887 Fax: 9338706, 8313385 Email:  HYPERLINK mailto:dch@gangla.net dch@gangla.net Contact: Mr Ranjit Das Dhaka Community Hospital Trust (DCHT) 190/1 Boro Mogh Bazar Wireless Rail Gate, Dhaka-1217 Tel: 9351190-1, 8314887 Fax: 9338706, 8313385 Email:  HYPERLINK mailto:dch@gangla.net dch@gangla.net PROSHIKA PROSHIKA, under three separate joint ventures, has imported simple and sustainable arsenic mitigation technologies from Canada, Belgium and Germany to combat arsenic contamination in groundwater. PROSHIKA state that the three technologies, already commissioned in various parts of the arsenic contaminated areas of the country yielded satisfactory results through ensuring supply of arsenic free drinking water and also prevention of various water-borne diseases. PROSHIKA and Canadian International Water Purification Limited (CIWPL) have entered into an agreement for manufacturing of low-cost water purifiers for household use both in urban and rural areas of Bangladesh. The aim of the Canadian Water Purifier (CWP) is to effectively remove arsenic as well as parasites, bacteria and viruses from water. The joint venture project of manufacturing household level water filters has been installed in Palashbari, Savar, production has commenced. Under another joint venture agreement with ALTECH of Belgium, PROSHIKA has installed a surface water treatment plant at Patgram in Tungipara and safe water from surface water can be treated. Each such plant (approximate cost US$16,000) can produce 1500 Litre of water per hour and is estimated to meet the demands of approximately 500 families. PROSHIKA has signed a new agreement with ALTECH to set up a factory in Bangladesh for the production of Surface Water Treatment Plants. All the accessories of the plant will be produced in Dhaka. PROSHIKA has signed a separate agreement with SIDKO Limited of Germany. "Continuous Shallow Ground Water Arsenic Removal Plants" have been installed at Chapai Nawabganj and Bhanga. PROSHIKA has been creating awareness among its target beneficiaries about arsenic contamination, safe water and measures to be taken for preventing health affects of arsenic. Contact: J. K. Raral Director, Health Housing and Water & Sanitation Programme PROSHIKA, 1/1-GA, Section-2 Mirpur-2, Dhaka-1216 Tel: 8015945-6, 8016015 Fax: 8015811 Email:  HYPERLINK mailto:baral@proshika.bdonline.com baral@proshika.bdonline.com BRAC BRAC, is one of the largest national non-governmental organisations and has a proven capacity for field-level programme implementation, socio-economic research, a strong institutional network and experience in training of community members in testing tubewell water for arsenic. BRAC initiated arsenic mitigation activities through testing all 802 tubewells in its field offices. 12% were found to be arsenic contaminated. In Hajiganj upazilla 93% of the 11,954 tubewells tested by BRAC in this upazilla showed the presence of arsenic. When the results of field testing by Village Health Workers (VHW) were cross-checked with laboratory results 93% were consistent. The testing program in Hajiganj upazilla was completed in just over a month. In 1998 BRAC completed a countrywide testing of tubewells, which were installed by the Department of Public Health Engineering (DPHE) during 1997-1998 with assistance from UNICEF. A total of 12,604 tubewells were tested under this project using field kits. It took 35 days to complete the testing. In 1999 BRAC, in collaboration with UNICEF and DPHE, initiated a pilot project on community-based arsenic mitigation in one union of Sonargaon upazilla under Narayanganj district The project followed an integrated approach and included four main activities: communication about arsenic and arsenicosis; testing of all tubewells in the upazilla; arsenicosis patient identification / support / implementation; monitoring and evaluation of alternative water supply technologies. The technologies tested ranged from home-based solutions such as the 3-kalshi arsenic removal filter to community-based solutions such as the Pond Sand Filter (PSF) for treatment of surface water In June 1999 BRAC extended the action research on community-based arsenic mitigation to two upazillas: Sonargaon of Narayanganj district and Jhikargacha of Jessore district. Working closely with DPHE/UNICEF, BRAC actively involved communities in assessing and mitigating the arsenic crisis. Once tubewells have been tested for arsenic BRAC then involve communities in highly affected areas in finding alternative sources of safe drinking water. This project attempted to test different options of safe drinking water in the two upazillas. As very little was known about the effectiveness and acceptability of different safe water options at the beginning of the project, it was essentially an Сaction researchТ to assess the different options. Contact: Mr. Zakaria Environmental Researcher Arsenic Section, BRAC 66 Mohakhali C/A, Dhaka-1212 Tel: 8824180-7 Fax: 8823542 Email:  HYPERLINK mailto:bracamr@bdmail.net bracamr@bdmail.net Grameen Bank Grameen Bank, with assistance from UNICEF and DPHE (see section 3.1.3), started its testing programme in 1997 in Chandpur district. The project followed an integrated approach and included four main activities: communication about arsenic and arsenicosis; testing of all tubewells in the upazilla; arsenicosis patient identification / support / implementation; monitoring and evaluation of alternative water supply technologies. The technologies tested ranged from home-based solutions such as the 3-kalshi arsenic removal filter to community-based solutions such as the Pond Sand Filter (PSF) for treatment of surface water. Arsenic Research Group [BD] is conducting an action-research project on arsenic contamination in the rural setting of Bangladesh, funded by PRPA of Grameen Trust. The target village is located in Comilla. Screening of tube-wells was carried out using the NIPSOM field test kit and the tube-wells were marked with specified colours, i.e. red for contaminated tube-wells (arsenic content >50ppb), and green for safe tube-wells (arsenic content <50ppb)] . Water from only 12 (twelve) out of total 159 tube-wells in the village were found to be below 50ppb. A communication campaign was carried out by meeting with different sections of the community, group discussions, house to house visits by researchers and field assistants in order to build up public awareness on the arsenic contamination related problems. The 2nd phase 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. A few patients were identified but no detailed health screening was carried out. The oxidant and coagulant based 'Emergency arsenic removal unit's [a modified two bucket system with reverse circulation] are currently undergoing the final phase of field trials. A 'Pond Sand Filter [PSF]' and two 'Sanitary Dug-Wells' will be installed in the village. The Arsenic Research Group is involved in the development of a ceramic/earthenware based low cost surface water purifier under the direct supervision of Mr. Reid Harvey. Contact: Norzahan Bebum General Manager, Grameen Bank Training Institute Mirpur-2, Dhaka-1216 Tel: 8011425 Fax: 8013559 Email:  HYPERLINK mailto:g_iprog@grameen.com g_iprog@grameen.com Contact: Dr. Arif Mohiuddin Sikder Coordinator, Arsenic Research Group [BD] 306 Iqbal Center [2nd Floor], 42 Kemal Ataturk Avenue, Banani, Dhaka 1213, Bangladesh. Phone: 882 882 99 80 Email: gem@global-bd.net WaterAid Bangladesh WaterAid Bangladesh is actively involved in both the grassroots level arsenic screening, mitigation and small scale research (through their national NGO partner organisations) and advocacy of best practice and co-ordination at policy level. To assist the promotion of easily understandable, appropriate and reliable information dissemination to communities and field workers involved in and affected by arsenic a formal partnership between NGO Forum for Drinking Water & Sanitation (see section 3.28) and WaterAid Bangladesh exists. The NGO Arsenic Information and Technical Support Unit (NAISU) will commence early 2001. The NAISU target information group is an important aspect of the approach as the aim is to ensure understanding of the cause, effect and mitigation measures of arsenic in groundwater. The target group will include communities, field workers and office workers. These target groups require different levels of information presented in an appropriate format. In order to reach the broadest possible network the NGO Forum regional offices will have access to information via email, telephone and the postal service. NAISU's immediate objectives are to reach out and support small to medium sized NGOs across Bangladesh who are trying to understand the issues surrounding arsenic contamination of water supplies and support them to assist their beneficiaries to address and tackle these issues. NAISU will also develop and disseminate laymanТs (easily understood) Bangla and English language material and training to a target population of non-technical community and field workers. WaterAid Bangladesh have developed two sets of participatory arsenic awareness tools (see Annex 6) which encourage discussion and understanding at community level. WaterAid Bangladesh and Village Education Resource Centre (VERC) are working together in the piloting of arsenic removal technologies, screening and mitigation in their project areas of Sitakunda and Nawabgonj. Village Education Resource Centre (VERC) in collaboration with WaterAid Bangladesh, DCHT and NGO Forum have undertaken small-scale arsenic action research into the effectiveness of community mobilisation and information systems. WaterAid Bangladesh support and advocate the local manufacture of field test kits through field user feedback and comparative evaluations. WaterAid, working in collaboration with British Geological Survey (BGS), have developed a six page Arsenic Fact Sheet (see Annexe 5) summarising the health effects, occurrence in groundwater, field testing methodologies and remediation techniques. WaterAid Bangladesh have been involved in an informal Emergency Arsenic Taskforce which has documented an emergency action approach (Annexe 8) and funded a geographical information system (GIS) mapping of arsenic hotspot villages and working areas of various arsenic projects (see Annex 3). This information is held by NAMIC who are responsible for updating the maps. The Rapid Assessment of Household level Arsenic Removal Technologies is a DFID funded initiative. The study is jointly managed by WaterAid Bangladesh and DFID and implemented by WS Atkins International Ltd. The consultancy will focus on nine household level arsenic removal technologies with a first phase concentrating on field testing technical parameters and a second phase of technical and social parameter testing. The project will feed its rapid response results into longer-term initiatives in Bangladesh. Canadian CIDA (section 3.7) are supporting a substantial intervention in partnership with Bangladeshi agencies and will assist BAMWSP to develop an Environmental Technology Verification (ETV-AM) protocol. The DFID consultancy will work closely with BAMWSP and the development of the ETV protocol, use the ETV protocol (at draft stage) and give feedback through field testing of the ETV protocol. A spin-off benefit of this DFID funded study will be the comparative evaluation of the Merck, GPL, HACH, NCL and PeCo75 arsenic field test kits (see section 4.1 for details on field test kits). Phase one results are expected late 2000. WaterAid Bangladesh actively encourages information sharing. Contact: Elizabeth Jones Project Officer Water Aid-Bangladesh House 123A, Road 4, Banani, Dhaka Tel: 880-2-8815757 Fax: 880-2-8815757 Email:  HYPERLINK mailto:elizabet@bdonline.com elizabet@bdonline.com Contact: Md. Nasir Uddin Programme Engineer Water Aid-Bangladesh House 123A, Road 4, Banani, Dhaka Tel: 880-2-8815757 Fax: 880-2-8815757 Email:  HYPERLINK mailto:elizabet@bdonline.com nasir@bdonline.com Village Education Resource Centre (VERC) VERC are actively involved in the tubewell screening and development of community led arsenic mitigation strategies and approaches. VERC and WaterAid Bangladesh are working together in the piloting of household level arsenic removal technologies, tubewell screening, community awareness raising and community led mitigation activities in their project areas of Sitakunda and Nawabgonj. VERC in collaboration with DCHT, NGO Forum and WaterAid Bangladesh have undertaken small scale arsenic action research into the effectiveness of arsenic mitigation approaches reliant on community mobilisation and information systems, not the provision of infrastructure. Contact: Md. Masud Hossain Associate Project Co-ordinator VERC, Anandapur Savar, Dhaka Tel: 7710412, 7710779 Email:  HYPERLINK mailto:verc@bangla.net verc@bangla.net WATSAN Partnership (WPP) The WATSAN Partnership Project (WPP) is a collaborative community based rural water supply, sanitation and hygiene sector project currently being implemented in Rajshahi and Chapai Nawabgonj Districts of Bangladesh. The Swiss Agency for Development and Co-operation (SDC, section 3.6), being the initiator and funder, has brought together a partnership of local and international agencies for strengthening and accelerating development activities in the rural areas. In this partnership project, SDC is a member of the steering committee which is chaired by the three International NGOs on a rotational basis. The main role of the Project Management Unit (PMU) is to co-ordinate activities amongst partners. The three international NGOs: CARE, IDE, and DASCOH act as support organisations to facilitate the development of local organisational capacities in working towards sustained water use and better sanitation for the rural community. NGO-Forum is also conducting an action research on rainwater harvesting in three of the working areas under WPP. The primary objective of the project is to improve user's sustainable access and use (i.e. hygiene behaviour practices) of affordable water and sanitation facilities in the project area, especially in the low water table area of Bangladesh. The problem of arsenic contamination in ground water has necessitated investigation and implementation of affordable new technologies for the most severely affected people in the WPP area. To mitigate the arsenic problem, WPP has started to work with arsenic reduction technologies and alternative safe water sources. The arsenic reduction options tested are: DPHE / DANIDA Bucket Treatment Unit (BTU), the three kolshi method, Safi Filter and SORAS (see Annexe 9). The alternative water source options are rainwater harvesting, dugwells (with handpump and without handpump) and SODIS (Solar Disinfection, see Annexe 7) for improving the bacteriological water quality. All these technologies are new in the project area and some are still at the research stage. Development and marketing of affordable handpumps is one of the major activities of WPP. IDE have developed an affordable deep-set Jibon handpump for the low water table area. Reliable Pre and Post testing of water quality (arsenic) is a pre-requisite for successful implementation of the WPP deep-set handpump tubewell programme. This program will be completed by 31st December 2001. Currently, WPP is preparing a program for arsenic awareness, screening, patient identification, community development and mitigation planning for 640 villages in collaboration with all partners. Contact: Md. Abdul Motaleb Project Co-ordinator WATSAN Partnership Project (WPP) 2 Parigag (3rd Floor) Prioprangan Apartment, Dhaka-1000 Tel: 8619711 Fax: 8619711 Email:  HYPERLINK mailto:wpppmu@bdmail.net wpppmu@bdmail.net CARE Bangladesh The arsenic activities of CARE Bangladesh are associated with three projects. The WATSAN Partnership Project in Rajshahi, Nawabganj (WPP, see section 3.22) the Flood Proofing Project in Kurigram, Netrokona (FPP) and the Sanitation And Family Education Resource project in Sitakunda, Chittagong (SAFER). The field test kits used are the NIPSOM and E-Merck kits with some cross-checking by the arsenator and laboratory. WPP do not paint the tubewells themselves but inform the community of the results and explain the relevance. Within both the SAFER and FPP tubewells are painted red or green. Within the WPP, before the sinking of new tubewells, staff carry out an assessment of the surrounding area. Pre and post installation arsenic testing and develop a system of periodic testing. CARE mitigation activities include the three kolshi, DPHE/DANIDA bucket treatment unit, community based training and practical demonstrations, community based arsenic removal plants (SIDCO, see Annexe 10), monitoring of technologies, protected dug wells, rainwater harvesting, SODIS (see Annexe 7) and SORAS (see Annexe 9), participatory Information Education & Communication (IEC) materials, folk songs and drama sessions. CARE believes in sustainability through cost sharing with the community. There is no blanket policy for percentage as it is dependent on circumstance and users' feedback. Contact: Dr. Ziya Uddin Project Co-ordinator, WATSAN Project CARE Bangladesh House # 60, Road # 7A Dhanmondi R/A, Dhaka-1209 Tel: 8114207-9, 9111948 Fax: 8114183 Email:  HYPERLINK mailto:ziya@carebangladesh.org ziya@carebangladesh.org Bangladesh University for Engineering and Technology (BUET) The Environmental Engineering Division of BUET is currently working on: development of a domestic arsenic removal unit based on activated alumina improvement of the two-bucket unit using ferric chloride as a coagulant and development of a domestic arsenic removal unit based on iron coated sand. BUET has an extensive array of arsenic measurement equipment including AASGF, AASHG, SDDC units and Field Test kits. International Training Network (ITN)-Bangladesh Centre for Water Supply and Waste Management at BUET have been involved in the development of Arsenic Field Test Kits, evaluation of the performance of Pond Sand Filters (PSF) and Rainwater Harvesting as alternative sources of water supply. ITN are involved in training on arsenic at tertiary level. In addition M. Feroze Ahmed, Professor of Civil/Environmental Engineering, BUET is an active member of the BAMWSP Technical Advisory Group (section 3.11). Contact: Professor M. Feroze Ahmed, ITN -Bangladesh Centre, Civil Engineering Building (3rd floor), BUET, Dhaka 1000, Tel: 9663693, 9663695 Fax: 9663695, 8613026, E-mail: itn@dhaka.agni.com University of Dhaka The University of Dhaka has undertaken a number of arsenic related research works within the Department of Geology, the Department of Soil, Water and Environment and the Department of Chemistry. These are summarised under the relevant departments below. A detailed list of the research papers produced features as Annexe 2. Department of Geology Arsenic Investigation in the Bengal Delta Plain of Bangladesh and hydrogeological research into: i) The origin and Distribution of Arsenic in Central Bangladesh 1997 ii) The occurrence and distribution of Arsenic in Meherpur 1998 iii) The occurrence and distribution of Arsenic in Chowmohani 1999 Contact: Dr. Kazi Matin, Dept of Geology, University of Dhaka, Dhaka 1000 Tel: (880-2) 9661920-59 Ext 6015 (W) Fax : (880-2) 8615583 email:  HYPERLINK mailto:kmahmed@du.bangla.net kmahmed@du.bangla.net Contact: Dr. Aftab Alam Khan Geohazard Research Group, Department of Geology University of Dhaka, Dhaka 1000. Voice : (880-2) 9661920-59 Ext 6029, 6015 (W) (880-2) 9001214, (880-2) 8016083 (H) Fax : (880-2) 8615583 E-mail: aftab@du.bangla.net aftabalam_k@yahoo.com Department of Soil, Water and Environment The department runs a joint ACIAR (Australia)-Dhaka University project on the "Transfer of Arsenic in water-soil-plant systems in Bangladesh and Australia". The project duration is initially for a period of three years extendable to five years. The department is working on the arsenic load from irrigation water to the soil and its subsequent transfer to the human body and other biological systems through the food chain. Relationships between the nutritional status of a patient and the manifestation of the contamination are being studied. Some statistical models on the whole system are being produced. The Australian team leader is Dr. RAVI NAIDU from CSIRO, Adelaide. The co-partners in the project are DCHT and INFS, Dhaka University, those in Australia are Ballarat University, CMIS, Adelaide. The laboratory at the Department of Soil, Water and Environment is equipped with AAS hydride generator to analyse Arsenic in ppb levels. Contact: Dr. S.M. Imamul Huq, Professor, Department of Soil, Water and Environment, Dhaka University, Dhaka 1000 Tel: 9661900-59 Fax: 8615583 Email:  HYPERLINK mailto:imamh@du.bangla.net imamh@du.bangla.net Department of Chemistry Research and development of the three kolshi household level arsenic removal technology in collaboration with the Sono Diagnostic Center Environment Initiative. Contact: Professor Amir H. Khan, Department of Chemistry, Dhaka University Tel: 505846 email:  HYPERLINK mailto:email@ducc.agni.com email@ducc.agni.com International Development Enterprises (IDE) IDE are involved in both the technical and the social mobilisation aspects of arsenic mitigation. IDE are one of the three international NGOs managing the WATSAN Partnership Project (WPP, see section 3.22). The primary objective of the project is to improve user's sustainable access and use (i.e. hygiene behaviour practices) of affordable water and sanitation facilities in the project area, especially in the low water table area of Bangladesh. The problem of arsenic contamination in ground water has necessitated investigation and implementation of affordable new technologies for the most severely affected people in the WPP area. To mitigate the arsenic problem, WPP has started to work with arsenic reduction technologies and alternative safe water sources. The arsenic reduction options tested are: Bucket Treatment Unit (BTU), the three kolshi method, Safi Filter and SORAS (see Annexe 9). The alternative water source options are rainwater harvesting, dugwells (with handpump and without handpump) and SODIS (Solar Disinfection, see Annexe 7) for improving the bacteriological water quality. All these technologies are new in the project area and some are still at the research stage. Development and marketing of affordable handpumps is one of the major activities of WPP. IDE have developed an affordable deep-set handpump named the Jibon for low water table areas. Reliable Pre and Post testing of water quality (arsenic) is a pre-requisite for successful implementation of any deep-set handpump tubewell program. IDE are independently experimenting with alternative source technologies which include a ceramic filter to treat surface water and economic designs of rainwater harvesting tanks. IDE have produced two short videos which are shown around the country to increase arsenic awareness at a local level. Contact: David Nunley Head, IDE Bangladesh House # 15, Road # 7 Dhanmondi, Dhaka-1205 Tel: 8614485, 8619258 Fax: 8613506 Email:  HYPERLINK mailto:dbnunley@agni.com dbnunley@agni.com World Health Organisation (WHO) In response to the arsenic crisis the WHO Task Force dealing with the WHO Guidelines for Drinking-water Quality have given priority to the preparation of a technical monograph on the control of health hazards from arsenic in drinking-water. This work commenced in March 1998. These decisions culminated in a joint endeavour of interested United Nations agencies including UNICEF, WHO and World Bank. It was agreed that the report would have global coverage considering the fact that arsenic in drinking water is a problem in many parts of the world. However, the current arsenic-related problems and their solutions in Bangladesh and West Bengal, India are to be highlighted. A UN Synthesis Report on Arsenic in Drinking Water is being prepared, covering the following areas: Sources of Contamination Environmental Health and Human Exposure Assessment Exposure and Health Effects Diagnosis and Treatment of Chronic Arsenic Poisoning Drinking Water Quality Guidelines and Standards Safe Water Technology Communication for Development Development of Mitigation Strategies This report will be a synthesis of the "state-of-the-art" arsenic knowledge. It is expected that planners, government officials, development aid agencies, and other stakeholders at the national and regional levels, as well as the scientific community in general, will use the report as a primer on arsenic and will promote necessary action. At the same time, the report will identify current knowledge gaps and research needs. The draft in preparation will be made available for public review and comment. The final draft report will be available on the WHO website at Уwww.who.int/water_sanitation_health/water_quality/arsenic.htmФ in January 2001. Hard copy of this pre-print version will also be available for local review by January 25, 2001 in Bangladesh only. Under the International Programme on Chemical Safety (IPCS), WHO, in conjunction with the ILO and UNEP, will publish an update of the Environmental Health Criteria for Arsenic in December 2000. The EHC provides an authoritative reference on environmental transport and distribution of arsenic; environmental levels and human exposure; kinetics and metabolism; and effects on laboratory animals and in vitro systems, on human health and on other organisms in the environment. Contact: Mr. Han A. Heijnen, Dr. Jamie Bartram Environmental Health Advisor, World Health Organization, Water, Sanitation & Health Program DPHE Bhaban, Kakrail, Dhaka 1000 PHE/SDE, World Health Organization Tel: 934-3372, Fax: 8613247, CH-1211 Geneva 27, Switzerland E-mail: HYPERLINK "mailto:whosani@citechco.net"whosani@citechco.net Fax: 41 22 791 4159, E-mail: bartramj@who.ch NGO Forum for Drinking Water and Sanitation NGO Forum is an apex service delivery agency of the implementing NGOs and CBOs within the WatSan sector. NGO Forum has established an УArsenic CellФ to focus and prioritise its involvement in arsenic mitigation activities. To date NGO Forum has field-tested 20,056 water samples. Of this total number of samples 4612 were found to be above 50ppb arsenic concentrations. The tests were conducted in 2882 villages in 257 thanas of 58 districts. This data is given, on a regular basis, to the National Arsenic Mitigation Information Centre (NAMIC). The ultimate goal of the Arsenic Cell is to provide safe drinking water for people in the intervention areas through: Exploring possibilities of applicable and sustainable arsenic removal measures as well as seeking alternative water supply sources. Implementation of arsenic mitigating activities for safe water supplies through NGOs & CBOs. Setting up a decentralised organisational structure capable of implementing operating, and maintaining the mitigation measures. The above mentioned objectives will be attained by: Networking and collaboration with the NGOs, CBOs, government & external support agencies, multilateral organisations, researchers and academics working on this issue. II. Optimal utilisation of NGO ForumТs resources - both software & hardware - in implementing arsenic mitigation measures. NGO Forum is plays a role in the Bangladesh Arsenic Mitigation Water Supply Project (BAMWSP, see section 3.1.1) as a member of the steering committee as well as in the selection of Partner NGOs and CBOs for implementation in the BAMWSP project area. To assist the promotion of easily understandable, appropriate and reliable information dissemination to communities, field and office workers involved in and affected by arsenic a partnership between NGO Forum and WaterAid Bangladesh (section 3.20) has been formed. The NGO Arsenic Information and Technical Support Unit (NAISU) will commence early 2001. The target information group is an important aspect of the approach as the aim is to ensure understanding of the cause, effect and mitigation measures of arsenic in groundwater. The target group would include communities and field workers. These target groups require different levels of information presented in an appropriate format. In order to reach the broadest possible network the NGO Forum regional offices will have access to information via email, telephone and the postal service. NAISU's immediate objectives are to reach out and support small to medium sized NGOs across Bangladesh who are trying to understand the issues around arsenic contamination of water supplies and support them to assist their beneficiaries to address and tackle these issues. NAISU will develop and disseminate laymanТs (easily understood) Bangla and English language material and training to a target population of non-technical community and field workers. NGO Forum has developed and produced two posters and two leaflets for arsenic education. These materials have been distributed among the affected community through partner NGOs & CBOs of NGO Forum and also among other stakeholders including mass media and NAMIC. NGO Forum has been disseminating research-oriented information relating to arsenic and arsenicosis through its monthly Bangla newsletter titled УPANIPRABAHOФ and quarterly English newsletter УWATSANФ. These newsletters are distributed among various NGOs, government offices and other concerned stakeholders all over the country. NGO Forum provides training on technical and social issues of arsenic mitigation. NGO Forum is providing alternate water options which include the DPHE/DANIDA Bucket Treatment Unit (BTU), Rainwater Harvesting Systems (RWHS), Pond Sand Filters (PSF), Dug Wells and Iron & Arsenic Removal Plants (IARP). NGO Forum has established a water quality-testing laboratory with Danida funding. The laboratory was developed with technical assistance from the School of Environmental Studies (SOES), Jadavpur University, Calcutta, India. The following water quality parameters can be tested: Arsenic, Iron, Residual Chlorine, Chloride, Fluoride, Nitrite, Nitrate, Phosphate, Sulphate, Aluminium, pH, total dissolved solids, suspended solids, alkalinity, total hardness, salinity, conductivity, turbidity, Sodium, Potassium, Calcium, COD, BOD, dissolved oxygen and bacteriological analysis. The research activities of NGO Forum are listed in Annex 4. NGO Forum in collaboration with DCHT, Village Education Resource Centre and WaterAid Bangladesh have undertaken small scale arsenic action research into the effectiveness of community mobilisation and information systems. Contact: Mr. S.M.A. Rashid, Executive Director , 4/6 , Block-E, Lalmatia, Dhaka1207 Tel- 8119597, 8119599 Fax # 8117924 E-mail: HYPERLINK "mailto:ngof@bangla.net"ngof@bangla.net Contact: Dr Milton, Head of Arsenic Cell 4/6 , Block-E, Lalmatia, Dhaka1207 Tel- 8119597, 8119599 Fax # 8117924 E-mail: arsenic@bttb.net.bd International Center for Diahorreal Disease Research, Bangladesh (ICDDRB) ICDDR,B is running a health and demographic surveillance system in 142 villages of the Matlab upazilla, encompassing a 220,000 population. The Matlab health and demographic surveillance system (HDSS) was initiated in 1966. The database records all vital events and health information upgraded on a monthly basis. The data bases include child health, maternal health and nutrition information, and are linked to a GIS (Geographic Information System) database. ICDDRB has been involved in small-scale research on arsenic exposure and mitigation. A pilot study was performed in Matlab with a sample of tube wells from all areas. In Matlab surveillance systems revealing more than three quarters of samples had total arsenic above the Bangladesh permissible limit of 50 ppb. ICDDR,B are currently (2000-2001) initiating large-scale epidemiological studies on arsenic and health consequences; Studies on arsenic exposure, the health consequences, the role of nutritional status, and effects of interventions. The laboratory capacity is currently also strengthened to serve the needs of arsenic research. ICDDR,B has been working through local and international NGOs on arsenic monitoring and mitigation efforts which have included testing household level arsenic removal technologies, pond sand filter testing and piloting low cost rainwater harvesting techniques. Contact: Dr. Mahfuzar Rahman Arsenic and Environmental Epidemiologist, ICDDR,B, GPO Box 128, Dhaka-1212 Tel: 880-2-8811751-60 (ext 2236), 9885155 Fax: 880-2-8826050 Email: mahfuzar@icddrb.org London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine (LSHTM) LSHTM is involved in the epidemiological aspects of research on arsenicosis and arsenic mitigation efforts in various countries including Bangladesh. LSHTM have emphasised the enormity of the problem, emphasise the need to look at all aspects of safe water and for meticulous research in order to better understand the difference between dose response in various areas, health-related behaviours and sustainability of mitigation efforts. LSHTM will provide technical support to a DFID funded Arsenic Mitigation and Epidemiology Project implemented by DCHT (see section 3.16). The main components of the project will focus on the development and assessment of community based arsenic mitigation models using epidemiological and social scientific methods. The purpose of the project is to develop a sustainable, integrated mitigation model for preventing arsenic related ill-health in Bangladesh. In addition the project will add to epidemiological knowledge of prevalence and dose response of arsenic poisoning in Bangladesh. Contact: Tony Fletcher Environmental Epidemiology Unit, Dept of Public Health & Policy LSHTM, Keppel St, London WC1E 7HT, UK Tel: 44-(0)171-9272429 Fax: 44-(0)171-5804524 Email:  HYPERLINK mailto:t.fletcher@lshtm.ac.uk t.fletcher@lshtm.ac.uk Bangladesh Consultants Limited (BCL) A BCL team is conducting a three-month (October - December 2000) study to evaluate the disposal method of arsenic residuals related with treatment systems developed and operated in the field. The research team will conduct a survey of selected NGOs, donor agencies, and private companies that have installed treatment units in the field. Field visits will be arranged to the installations in the villages. During the field visits, the research team will determine whether the users of the treatment units are following safe disposal methods. A record will be kept of the disposal methods observed. In addition some samples of arsenic residuals will be collected for analysis during these field trials. The samples collected will most often be taken from the soil/sludge pile on which the residuals are disposed of, although this may vary depending on the different technologies and disposal methods. A leaching test will be conducted on the samples to determine whether the arsenic ions are bound to the solids, or propagate the arsenic contamination to the surrounding soil, surface water, and potentially, the groundwater. The BUET Environmental Laboratory will be hired to conduct the leaching tests The output of this study will take the form of a report describing both the treatment units and the disposal methods observed in the field. It is hoped that the findings will determine whether the present operational treatment units, or more specifically the sludge disposal methods associated with these units, need to be re-evaluated. The research report will be shared with all interested parties. The research team will present the report to all organisations that co-operated with the study and will be available for discussion should the organisation want clarification of the findings. Contact: Nikita Eriksen-Hamel 34 Dhanmondi RA, Road 16 Dhaka-1209, Bangladesh Telephone: (880-2) 811 5023 E-mail :bcl@citechco.net Web Site: www.bclgroup.com Contact: Begum Kamrun Nahar Zinia 34 Dhanmondi RA, Road 16 Dhaka-1209, Bangladesh Telephone: (880-2) 811 5023 E-mail :bcl@citechco.net Web Site: www.bclgroup.com Instrumentation Methods for Detection of Arsenic The amount of testing required and the need to provide feedback to those using well water, suggest use of field testing kits. Several kits exist, but are not as yet independently validated within Bangladesh. Measuring arsenic in water accurately is not simple at concentrations important for human health. Reliable field methods are yet to be fully developed and evaluated. Every round of water quality tests show more wells that exceed the Bangladesh standard of 50 parts per billion (ppb) for arsenic in drinking water. The equivalent of ppb is micrograms/litre or ╝g/l. The World Health Organisation (WHO) guideline value for arsenic in drinking water is 10ppb. Weaknesses of field testing include the issues such as: the field test kits being subject to fluctuations in sensitivity and accuracy depending on the model of the kit; excess light and foreign matter encountered in the field, are thought to interfere with the analysis, individual differences are inevitable when many field workers are involved (i.e. operator error). Laboratory analysis, providing suitable quality assurance measures are introduced, will ensure the accuracy of data but is more costly than field-testing. Laboratory testing has a cost of approximately US$8 to US$10 per sample. Field-testing has a cost of approximately US$0.5 per sample. Due to the nature of laboratory testing being remote good co-ordination is necessary with the field to ensure correct tubewells are marked with correct concentrations (i.e. painted red or green). Collaboration with field staff as well as map information and efficient transportation are essential. Field test kits that are commercially available use the mercury bromide method or the Silver Diphenyl Dithio Carbamate (SDDC) method. Laboratory analytical equipment used includes atomic absorption spectrometry (AAS), ICP (Inductively Coupled Plasma) and ICP/MS (Inductively Coupled Plasma/Mass Spectrometry). WaterAid Bangladesh support and advocate the local manufacture of field test kits through field user feedback to local manufacturers and discussions with interested parties. Field Test Kit Methodologies Mercury Bromide stain method Most of the current field-test kits (e.g. Merck, Asian Arsenic Network -AAN, General Pharmaceuticals Limited -GPL, NIPSOM, HACH) are based on the "Gutzeit" method. This involves the reduction of arsenite and arsenate by zinc to give arsine gas which is then used to produce a stain on mercuric bromide paper. There have been many studies on the sensitivity and reliability of these kits. The most extensively field tested of these kits are the Merck, AAN and GPL kits. The evaluations have generally shown these kits to be reasonable at detecting high concentrations (greater than 100ppb) but less reliable at lower concentrations. The newly developed HACH kit is currently undergoing extensive field-testing and to date has produced encouraging results on both reliability and accuracy when cross-checked with laboratory testing. The PeCo75 is a handheld instrument developed by Professor Walter Kosmus of the Karl Franzens University in Austria. This field kit is a development of the standard Gutzeit method in that it replaces zinc with sodium borohydride and so removes the problem of obtaining low-arsenic zinc. This method uses tablets instead of powdered or liquid chemicals and has a simple robust arsine generator. The PeCo75 uses a calculator-style device to measure the stain developed photometrically rather than by eye and is easily calibrated. The PeCo75 has shown good reliability and accuracy to 5ppb in laboratory environments. Field-testing is currently underway. Calorimetric methods Other field test kits use the SDDC (Silver Diphenyl Dithio Carbamate) method which relies on arsine generation and the colour reaction with SDDC. Arsenic hydride is absorbed into a solution of silver diphenyl dithio carbamate; the orange to red-violet soluble compound that is produced is analyzed by absorption spectrophotometry. The absorption line is measured to find the arsenic concentration. If no substances that obstruct the process are present then detection of arsenic concentrations to below 50ppb is feasible. Two companies are currently developing single element low cost field spectrophotometers. The analytical range is claimed to be between 0-100ppb with analysis at 10ppb level guaranteed. Laboratory analyses are reported as accurate but have not, as yet, been made public. Field-testing will be required. The two companies are based in India: 1) Spectrochemicals Limited Email: madhav@spectrochemindia.com 2) National Chemical Laboratory Pune 411 008, India Fax: 91-20-5893761 Tel: 91-20-5893300 E mail: prs@ems.ncl.res.in  Table1: Basic data on field-test kits Field Test kitCapital Cost (approx. US$)Commercially and locally availableManufacturedTime taken per test (minutes)ContactE. Merck50YesGermany30?GPL45YesBangladesh20gepin@bdmail.netNIPSOM?40? No ?Bangladesh10iftikhar@bdonline.comHACH160YesUSA30worth@bangla.netPeCo75800YesAustria15peters.engineering@styria.comSpectrochemicals?50In the near futureIndia??10madhav@spectrochemindia.comNCL100In the near futureIndia??10prs@ems.ncl.res.in Further contact details: Dr. M. H. Faruquee Arsenic & Environmental Health Consultant Asia Arsenic Network (AAN) Yamagata Dhaka Friendship Hospital 6/7 Block-A, Lalmatia Dhaka-1207 Tel: 9129354 Email:  HYPERLINK mailto:arthee@bdcom.com arthee@bdcom.com Mr. Zaki Azam Chowdhury Marketing Manager General Pharmaceuticals Ltd. (GPL) House # 48/A, Road # 11/A Dhanmondi, Dhaka-1209 Tel: 9132594 Fax: 9120657 Email:  HYPERLINK mailto:gepin@bdmail.net gepin@bdmail.net Ajit Datta Commercial Officer HACH-Technoworth Associates Ltd 78 Motijheel C/A (1st Floor) Motijheel, Dhaka-1000 Tel: 9555646, 9559776, 9568461 Fax: 9562215, 8616947 Email:  HYPERLINK mailto:worth@bangla.net worth@bangla.net Dr. Hassina Momotaj Research Associate (Arsenic) NIPSOM NIPSOM Building 324 Mohakhali, Dhaka-1212 Tel: 8821236, 600768 Fax: 8821236 Arsenic Mitigation Options Drinking water can be obtained from groundwater, surface water or rainwater sources. Each source has characteristics relating to quality, quantity, reliability, user acceptability and costs that will determine use. When considering sources and water supply technologies for arsenic mitigation, selection should be on the basis of avoidance or of a substantial and consistent reduction of the ingestion of arsenic. (ref..) In assessing best alternative water options and / or arsenic removal technologies the following basic criteria should be evaluated: Water Quality (i.e. does the system consistently provide bacteriologically and chemically safe water?) Water Quantity (e.g. flow rate, access to water at peak times) Affordability (capital, operation & maintenance) Reliability Life expectancy (e.g. how does one know when to change filter media) Convenience (e.g. time & effort involved) Time considerations Gender issues (e.g. ergonomically appropriate, division of labour) Environmental risks (e.g. sludge disposal, excess water / drainage issues) Operational safety (e.g. user accidental misuse, physical and chemical safety, robustness) Risk substitution (e.g. introduction of bacteriological contamination) Logistical sustainability of system (e.g. are reagents available locally, life time of system, market base, involvement of private sector) User acceptability Necessary operation and maintenance training Information, Education & Communication In Bangladesh, deep tube well sources provide safe water at relatively high costs. Shallow ring wells are cheaper, but provide a lower quality of water and also may dry up mid dry season. Rainwater is a good alternative in the monsoon, but requires excessive storage if the full dry season is to be bridged. Lesser investment in storage provides up to 250-280 days of drinking water. Surface water and ponds are contaminated with pathogens and begin drying up in the dry season. Tubewells with handpumps provide water near the house, but large numbers, up to 80-90 % in some coastal areas, exceed the Bangladesh arsenic standard of 50ppb, thus requiring arsenic removal technologies. (refЕ) Alternative Safe Water Options Alternative safe water options can be provided at either household or community level. The household level options include: accessing water by sharing safe (green) tubewells, using protected dug wells, rainwater harvesting, treating surface water (e.g by use of solar disinfection, SODIS, see annexe 7). Community level alternative options include: Deep tube well with hand pump, Deep tube well with motorized pump, overhead tank and series of stand posts (below tank or distributed in the area), Rainwater harvesting, Surface water treatment through pond sand filters, Other surface water filters or treatment technologies, Disinfection systems Arsenic Removal technologies Household and community level arsenic removal technologies should be subjected to rigorous testing in idealised field conditions, in real household conditions, and in laboratory conditions. It is imperative that the performance of the technologies is adequate and as anticipated in the household or the community - not only in the laboratory or in supervised field conditions. They should produce an adequate quality and quantity of water even when the technology is subject to a certain degree of УmisuseФ such as may be caused by improper mixing, use beyond assumed safe removal capacity of a filter, shortcuts, etc. Removal technologies should be such that their presentation (sachet, pill or adsorbent layer), operation and functioning (mixing, settling), storage and abstraction, favour the adequate operation at the household and community level to ensure provision of safe water. There are four main methods of arsenic removal: co-precipitation (coagulants form flocs that bind arsenic and are then filtered out) adsorption (arsenic adsorbed onto surface of media) ion-exchange (arsenic ions attracted to charged polymer resins) membrane filtration (selectively permeable membranes remove arsenic by filtration) Some stakeholders have expressed doubts about the viability of household arsenic units, and suggested that community level arsenic removal units are preferable. They note the difficulties associated with persuading millions of households to use arsenic removal units, and in ensuring that they are used correctly, and the advantages of centralized operation and maintenance, including arsenic testing, by trained caretakers. They also express concern about the effect of private sector involvement, with its emphasis on commercial viability, on the poor. However, these compelling arguments ignore history. The failure of concerted efforts to provide community water supplies for all is what led to the massive growth in private handpump tubewells in the first place, and existing investments in community water treatment units, such as pond sand filters, or iron removal plants, have rarely produced safe or sustainable water supplies (reference: #####). This listing of technologies does not indicate that they are safe technologies to use or that they consistently remove arsenic to below 50ppb. This listing should be used as an information point and organisations are encouraged to seek further detail either from organisations testing the technologies or the technology proponents. The responsibility for safe implementation lies with the respective implementing organisation. 5.2.1 Household level Arsenic Removal Technologies The DFID funded (see section 3.8) Rapid Assessment of Household Level Arsenic Removal Technologies will comparatively evaluate the first nine of the household level technologies listed below. The results from this evaluation will be available by March 2001. The CIDA funded (see section 3.7) Environmental Technology Verification study will validate a total of 13 household level arsenic removal technologies. This three year programme commenced late 1999 (???). Household level arsenic removal technology options include the following (see Annexe 9 for further details of the technologies): Passive Sedimentation No proponent DPHE / DANIDA Bucket Treatment Unit Contact: DPHE-Danida Water Supply and Sanitation Components, Arsenic Mitigation Component, 2888, Central Road, Harinarayanpur, Maijdee Court, Noakhali. Ph. 0321 5582 Stevens' Institute Technology Professor Meng, Center for Environmental Engineering, Stevens Institute of Technology, Hoboken, NJ 07030. E-mail:  HYPERLINK mailto:xmeng@stevens-tech.edu xmeng@stevens-tech.edu Md. Suruzzaman, Earth Identity Project, House 13A, Road 35, Gulshan, Dhaka-1212. Tel: 8812049 Ardasha Fliter Mr. Sounir Mojumdar, CRS-Ardasha Filter Industries, Chagalnaya Bazar, Chagalnaya, Feni GARNET home-made filter Shah Monirul Kabir, Programme Officer/GARNET Secretary, GARNET-SA, 1/7, Block-E, Lalmatia, Dhaka-1207, Tel: 9117421 SONO- 3 kolshi method Professor A.H. Khan, Department of Chemistry, University of Dhaka, Dhaka-1000, E-mail:  HYPERLINK mailto:ahkhan@du.bangla.net ahkhan@du.bangla.net Dr. A.K.M. Munir, Director, SDC-Environment Initiative, College More, Courtpara, Kushtia 7000 BUET Activated Aluminium Filter Dr. M.A. Jalil, Department of Civil Engineering, BUET, E:mail:  HYPERLINK mailto:majalil@buet.edu majalil@buet.edu Alkan Activated Aluminium Filter M. Saber Afzal, MAGC Technologies Ltd, House 15, Road 5Т Dhanmondi, Dhaka-1205. E-mail:  HYPERLINK mailto:mendota@bdmail.net mendota@bdmail.net Tetra Hedron US: Waqi Alam,  HYPERLINK mailto:TETRAHEDRON@prodigy.net TETRAHEDRON@prodigy.net Bangladesh: Mr. Wazir Alam or Mr. Altaf, Dhaka Tel: 9882770 Ion exchange resins Contact: ##### Rajshahi University / New Zealand iron hydroxide slurry Contact: ###### SORAS (Solar Oxidation and Removal of Arsenic) Contact: Martin Wegelin, Daniel Gechter and Stefan Hug, Swiss Federal Institute for Env. Science and Technology (EAWAG), Dept. of Water & Sanitation in Developing Countries (SANDEC), 8600 Duebendorf, Switzerland internet: www.eawag.ch, www.sandec.ch Abdullah Mahmud and Abdul Motaleb, Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC), GPO Box 928, Dhaka, Bangladesh Community Level Arsenic Removal Technologies Community level arsenic removal technology options include the following (see Annexe 10 for further details on the technologies): Arsenic / Iron Removal Plants 18 District Towns Project, ### Rotary International / UNICEF, DPHE / DANIDA, NGO Forum for safe drinking water and sanitation. SIDCO Mir Moaidul Huq, General Manager, Sidko Limited Paragon House (7th Floor), 5, Mohakhali c/A., Dhaka-1212 Phone: 880-2-9881794 / 8827122 Fax: 880-2-9883400 E-Mail: sidko@global-bd.net Alkan M. Saber Afzal, MAGC Technologies Ltd, House 15, Road 5Т Dhanmondi, Dhaka-1205. E-mail:  HYPERLINK mailto:mendota@bdmail.net mendota@bdmail.net Arsen-X System Contact: Ostertech Inc. 37 North Forge Drive, Phoenixville, Pennsylvania 19460, USA Phone / fax: +610 935 066 Email: lewo@att.net Tetra Hedron US: Waqi Alam,  HYPERLINK mailto:TETRAHEDRON@prodigy.net TETRAHEDRON@prodigy.net, Bangladesh: Mr. Wazir Alam or Mr. Altaf, Dhaka Tel: 9882770 ?READ-F ####### 6.0 Conclusion and way forward The conclusion and way forward is separated into an emergency or short-term strategy and a long-term strategy. The long-term strategy section is further divided into urgent issues and those that are essential but not as urgent. It is imperative that two distinct yet systematic strategies are developed to enable full co-ordination and guidance to organisations active in arsenic mitigation. The strategies should run in parallel with each other and ensure formal lesson learning and dissemination of documentation between the different and complimentary approaches. A clear distinction can be made between a strategic long-term aim and an emergency mitigation programme. 6.1 Emergency or Short Term Strategy A rapid response is essential to provide a level of relief to arsenic effected communities and to give clear direction and co-ordination to implementers and donors a like. An emergency response should be measured in days not years. On-going mitigation projects presently cover only limited geographical areas. Immediate action is required to create a holding situation and offer relief to families that are not yet covered by mitigation projects. The emergency response is about providing a better option not necessarily the ideal solution. It is about risk minimisation using the knowledge available today. The emergency strategy would focus on the current level of knowledge and assisting in the immediate mitigation measures to bring relief to the worst effected areas currently identified. The emergency strategy could take a similar approach to that documented by the Emergency Arsenic Task Force (see Annexe 8). The informal Emergency Task Force was formed at the request of the Donor Local Consultative sub-group on water and sanitation and funded the development of the maps in Annexe 3. An emergency situation requires an emergency response - fast, effective, well targeted action. Three main areas for rapid response are: Grassroots and mass media campaigns to increase awareness on arsenic avoidance and best mitigation practices (in part being carried out by BAMWSP, DPHE, UNICEF, DANIDA and other actors but there is a need for clear, simple and consistent information to avoid confusion and / or panic within the community) To increase the number of people with access to safe water especially in hotspot villages (defined as villages with greater than 70% tubewells arsenic affected and at least one patient identified) and other highly effected areas. This would be done by the use of the Emergency Arsenic Task Force approach (Annexe 8) and maps (Annexe 3). Decisions on the safe water option should take into account the options listed in Annexe 8, the preliminary results from the DFID rapid assessment of household level arsenic removal technologies and the community preference. This approach would also find all arsenic 'hot spots' in the remaining districts using random survey, awareness campaigns, medics etc. To increase the number of people with access to appropriate medical advice and treatment through an emergency programme similar to that documented in Annexe 8. 6.2 Long term strategy The development of a longer-term strategy is currently hindered by key gaps in information. This section lists areas of work identified as significantly delaying progress towards a sustainable strategy of nation-wide arsenic mitigation. It is noted that formal learning from the Emergency / Short term Strategy should feed into the longer term approach but that the Emergency Strategy should not be delayed through attempting compliance with the long term strategy, e.g. awaiting results from longer term work before rapid implementation, this will defeat the objective of rapid response to people worst affected. The following recommendations are listed under Urgent Requirements and Essential Requirements. The Urgent Requirements are seen as those areas of work, which, if undertaken, would have a wide reaching and rapid positive effect on arsenic mitigation. If funding for the Urgent Requirements were forthcoming these could be completed by appropriate organisations to give preliminary guidance within a six-month timeframe. This is realistic for the workload involved in each study but not necessarily for the administration of the funding organisation. The Essential Requirements are issues that are not as urgent and not feasible for completion over a short time frame. A number of the Urgent Requirements will be built upon and developed further within the longer timeframe of the Essential Requirements. An example of this are the strong linkages and ongoing lesson learning between the DFID funded Rapid Assessment of Household Level Arsenic Removal Technologies and the longer term CIDA funded Environmental Technology Verification for Arsenic Mitigation (ETV-AM) work. The former is a six-month study to give preliminary results on the technical and social aspects of nine arsenic removal technologies, this information will give technology guidance to organisations that are currently implementing in the field situation and is a rapid response. The DFID work will also pre-test parts of the draft ETV-AM and the results will feed into the development of the ETV-AM. The longer term CIDA ETV-AM initiative will work over a three-year timeframe to develop a protocol for the verification of arsenic removal technologies. Good co-ordination and communication are key to effective learning and reduction of duplicated efforts. The recommendations do not deal specifically with apportioning responsibility for the recommended work nor do they deal with the need for organisational restructuring or institutional capacity building. It is hoped that the recommendations will be taken forward by responsible organisations that have the dynamism to react within an appropriate timeframe. Urgent requirements: The following activities and outputs should be forth coming within a six-month timeframe. Formation of a clear, concise arsenic avoidance strategy and best practice packages. Collation of experience on the best practices brought together in simple packages of best approach with information known to date. The starting point would be concept papers on the activities and outputs of key organisations active in particular aspects of arsenic mitigation. These would be formulated through discussion with NGOs, International NGOs, donors, Government, private sector and development banks. The best practice packages would be separated into: Information, Education and Communication Materials Tubewell Screening, Monitoring, Georeferencing and Associated Protocol Development Patient Screening, Treatment and Protocol Development Arsenic Removal Technologies Alternative Safe Water Sources Data Collection, Storage, Collation and Dissemination The best approach packages would be dynamic documentation and updated on a six monthly basis. The concept papers would act as the foundation for co-ordination and formation of working groups on key mitigation issues. The best practice packages would be formulated through participatory workshops which would involve key stakeholder organisations currently involved in arsenic mitigation programmes. The workshops would be an open forum for lesson learning, information sharing and discussion of best practices which would be documented by an independent body. The working groups specific to an aspect of arsenic mitigation would appoint a chairperson and meet quarterly to encourage co-ordination in the development of best practice approaches. The chairs would meet on a six monthly basis, brief each other on the developments within each of the mitigation activities and encourage consistency of approach. The chair of this co-ordination meeting would be well informed to be a dynamic leader for the national co-ordination of arsenic mitigation (see section 6.2.2.1). Field Test Kit Validation Reliable field test kits are a prerequisite for measuring all or most of the wells in Bangladesh for arsenic. There have been at least four evaluations of arsenic field test kits within the period November 1998 to November 2000. The arsenic field test kits under development or currently available include MERCK, GPL, HACH, NIPSOM, PeCo75, NCL and Spectrochemicals (see section 4.1). The evaluations to date have focused on the accuracy and reliability of three or four of the kits. A rapid comparative assessment of the field test kits in various water chemistry parameters is essential, this will in part be addressed by a DFID funded study (see section 3.8). The evaluation would be undertaken by an objective organisation and would include intensive laboratory analysis, field testing, field user/operator feedback, assessment of reagents and methodology, assessment of manufacturers' capacity on issues such as quality assurance and production capacity. Where appropriate the evaluation would make recommendations for modifications of the kits and technical assistance would be provided to locally and regionally manufactured kits. Technical assistance to local manufacturers Local private sector should be encouraged to assist in the arsenic mitigation effort. Two key areas for private sector involvement are in the local manufacture of arsenic field test kits and the manufacture of arsenic removal technologies. Section 6.2.1.2 refers to the necessity for field test kits and the recommendation for technical assistance for local manufacturers. A similar case can be made for the involvement of local private sector in the development and supply of arsenic removal technologies. It is imperative that a reliable supply chain exists for both field test kits and arsenic removal technologies. The Delhi based Regional Water and Sanitation Programme have funded a study into the supply chains of household level arsenic removal technologies. The report is currently at draft stage. The demand for both arsenic removal technologies and field test kits exists yet local private sector is not investing readily. An encouraging environment to local private sector investment would include small to medium sized tenders, weighted scoring on tenders for local manufacture, direct technical assistance to promising developments, a transparent evaluation with constructive recommendations for technology / process modifications and ways to address broader constraints on private sector investment. Georeferencing and labelling / tagging The large effort required to test all tubewells within a short time frame is made more significant by the potential for data loss and duplication of testing. To minimise this risk and maximise the speed at which tubewells can be tested, data recorded and monitoring systems put in place the issue of georeferencing and tagging or labelling of tubewells must be addressed. Currently the protocol is for tubewells to be painted red or green depending on their unsafe or safe status. BAMWSP request that the tubewell testing information is then forwarded to the National Arsenic Mitigation Information Centre (NAMIC). The majority of organisations do not georeference the tubewells and the information received by NAMIC may be referenced by village, upazilla or name of tubewell owner. This variety of data is difficult to store in an accessible form. A strategy or protocol for the use (and availability) of Geographical Positioning Systems (GPS) in the collection of tubewell testing data needs to be formulated. ACIC (see section 3.15) have suggested a pool of GPSs available for organisations without immediate access to GPSs. A GPS currently retails at approximately US$150. The long-term sustainability of painting tubewells red or green should be revisited. Paint peels or fades and can be painted over. As an emergency measure the red / green paint is a solution but on a longer-term basis a more complete data set would be useful at the tubewell. Each tubewell would be georeferenced and data recorded in an easily accessible format by a central body (e.g. NAMIC) but at community level a system of tagging or labelling with important data is required. The data marked on each tubewell would include the arsenic concentration, the date of testing, the test kit used and the organisation responsible for the test. This information would be easily available to the household and other organisations carrying out tubewell screening. The NAMIC data recording format must be systemised and widely distributed if the data that NAMIC request is to be of use to the arsenic mitigation effort. The tubewell tagging or labelling mechanism must also be standardised. Guidance on cost recovery / subsidies A consistent, realistic strategy for cost recovery on provision of safe water (either through alternative sources or arsenic removal mechanisms) and arsenic field testing costs. A projection of necessary budget for initial testing and regular monitoring of water quality using field and laboratory methodologies is necessary as is a budget projection of provision of safe water to all effected households. Policy should be formulated through discussion with stakeholders including NGOs, Government, donors, development banks, private sector and community leaders. A top down approach is unlikely to be successful. Rapid assessment / evaluation of alternative water source options A large number of organisations have experience in alternative water source technologies. These technologies include household and community level technologies (see section 5.1). The collation of the available data would enable a simple decision tree to be formulated to assist in alternative source selection at field level. Note: A more substantial, longer-term study could be undertaken which would feed into Essential not Urgent Requirements. Food chain and health effect studies The human health significance of other sources of arsenic, such as those via the food chain, need to be further explored, as do the relationships between diet/nutrition and the long-term effects of arsenic, and the dose-response and dose-effect relationships in drinking water. Knowledge on health effects of arsenic is incomplete and the situation is complicated by factors such as Hepatitis B, nutritional status and the actual form of arsenic. DCHT (see section 3.16) are commencing a three-year programme to answer some of these questions. A rapid collation of existing data, including information from DCHT, would be a useful exercise to support dietary advice to arsenicosis patients. Information dissemination strategy The poor availability of reliable information hinders action at all levels and may lead to panic, exacerbated if misleading reports are made. Effective information channels have yet to be established to those affected and concerned. All recommendations made within this report are void if effective, accurate and rapid communication and information dissemination does not take place. A clear strategy, taking into account the different target groups and level of information required, is an essential part of an arsenic mitigation effort. Ease of access to information is essential and organisations should be encouraged to share information widely. The central body of NAMIC has responsibility for information collection, collation and dissemination. The volume of data and documentation is large. The capacity of NAMIC or any one organisation for this task should be assessed. Dissemination channels should include mass awareness and community awareness in addition to the dissemination of technical reports or strategies. Different media have different target audiences. Information channels should include radio, television, newspapers, IEC materials, internet, newsletters, workshops, etc. A reference listing of available reports on particular aspects of arsenic mitigation should be made available and a central resource centre for arsenic documentation and materials set up. The resource centre would hold easily accessible documentation and be staffed by resource personnel able to assist in recommending reports and giving advice or referral for appropriate technical advice. The resource centre would respond to email and telephone queries and requests for information. NGO Forum for drinking water and sanitation and WaterAid Bangladesh (see section 3.20) are currently setting up this type of a resource centre for small to medium sized NGOs. Essential requirements: The following activities and outputs will lead on from the previous section 6.2.1. Formation of a Rapid Response Committee The need to identify knowledge gaps and initiate appropriate work to bridge these gaps will be a continuous process. Section 6.2.1.1 outlines the need for best practice packages and working groups to take forward particular initiatives. The meeting of the chairs of these working groups would be a forum for identification of knowledge gaps. The group or committee would have strong linkages with key organisations active in arsenic mitigation. The chair of this co-ordination meeting would be well informed to be a dynamic leader for the national co-ordination of arsenic mitigation. The chair of each working group must give appropriate time and importance to the identification of knowledge gaps. The six monthly meeting of working group chairs would then recommend initiating particular works. This group or committee would have an easily accessible budget donated by various donors and would have the ability to engage consultants for short-term studies to stopper knowledge gaps. For effective outputs from this initiative a system of either remuneration or chair rotation should be in place to ensure an unrealistic workload is not placed on the chairs. Clearly the accountability, transparency and terms of reference for such a committee need to be fully addressed and documented. It would be useful to have diverse membership of the committee including representatives from research, donor, Government, NGO and private sector organisations. Ideally Government would chair such a committee. Co-ordination Leading from section 6.2.1.8 and 6.2.2.1 clearer information dissemination and co-ordination of the many different arsenic mitigation initiatives is essential in the effective coverage and timely assistance to communities. The Emergency Arsenic Task Force maps (Annexe 3) indicate the geographical distribution of the larger organisations' mitigation efforts. These maps give an overview of the working areas but need constant updating and further detail to be a fully utilised tool. This additional detail and data is essential and is related to the extent of the organisations' activities within a particular thana and the planned timing for implementation. For example an organisation could be working in only 2 villages within a particular thana but unless more detailed GIS maps exist it may be read as the entire thana being covered by a certain organisation. A similar problem arises with timing of interventions. If an organisation is planning to work in 30 thanas it is unlikely that the work will be simultaneous, it may be spread over a two-year period. Easy access to this information is important for co-ordination of ongoing mitigation efforts and geographical direction for new interventions. Three month national level objectives with shared responsibility and clear timing for outputs To encourage accountability, transparency and achieving outputs a participatory workplan exercise for arsenic mitigation should be formulated. A national level rolling three-month workplan would be widely shared with interested stakeholders. The workplan would be formulated with and by key stakeholders. The stakeholders would share the responsibility for monitoring and action on certain outputs. Clear outputs, responsibilities, timing and funding arrangements would be documented and the overall national programme monitored against the set objectives. It would not be the sole responsibility of the largest programme to achieve each of the set objectives / outputs but to ensure responsibility for a particular output was assigned to an appropriate organisation. The work plans would move from three to six-monthly within two years. Small contracts / tenders to encourage local private sector On going support for local private sector participation (section 6.2.1.3) through the letting of small contracts and provision of an appropriate enabling environment. Public, NGO, donor, private sector working together Look for innovative ways to encourage public, private, NGO and donor organisations to work together and share information. Tubewell Monitoring Strategy & Seasonality testing Development of a cost effective, technically sound monitoring strategy for field testing of tubewells. Design and implementation of a study to assess the seasonal variations of arsenic in groundwater. Deep Aquifer Investigations Collation of data and design of further work to assess the feasibility of the deep aquifer as a partial or full solution for arsenic mitigation. Various amounts of deep aquifer investigations have been funded by DPHE, JICA, DFID, UNICEF and DANIDA. Collation of this data and the co-ordination of new initiatives is key to the development of a deep aquifer protection and use strategy. 6.2.2.8 Health Issues A significant amount of work is ongoing with relation to water testing, treatment and arsenic release mechanisms. Less work focuses on the health impacts and medical aspects of the problem. Clearly the water quality and medical issues are related but currently research and documentation appears to focus on the groundwater issues. A working group similar to that proposed in section 6.2.1.1 and 6.2.2.1 could formulate a strategy identifying medical knowledge gaps. Training of health officials to reco