Hand pump (tubewell) was the prime source of safe drinking water in Bangladesh. In 1993 Arsenic contamination in ground water was first identified in Bangladesh and by 1997, it was projected that out of 120 million people, 75 million people are potentially at risk.
The WATSAN PARTNERSHIP PROJECT (WPP) is promoting village based planning and implementation of water and sanitation . CARE approached the arsenic mitigation initiative in two pronged way, looking for alternative options for safe water and affordable, accessible, acceptable arsenic removal technologies. Three pitcher is a simple arsenic removal filter, using commonly available earthen pitcher, coal, sand and iron chips. The study was on to field-test the arsenic removal efficiency, social acceptability, accessibility and affordability at the users level of three pitcher filter. Twenty pitcher were installed in the community. The installed pitchers were routinely monitored for arsenic and bacterial contamination level both at site and at laboratory. Social acceptability, accessibility and affordability were monitored through observation, structured questionnaire, FGD and in-depth interview.
It was found that average arsenic removal efficiency was found to be 95%. Bacterial contamination was eliminated by disinfection of the filter materials. The users expressed their satisfaction regarding water quality, daily out put, operation/management and affordability. They acknowledged that materials were available but showed interest to get the assembled filter.
Learning Objectives: N/A
Keywords: Water Quality, Cost Issues
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: WATSAN Project
CARE-Bangladesh
I have a significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.
Relationship: Project Coordinator, WATSAN Project, CARE-Bangladesh