title: One solution to the arsenic problem: a return to surface (improved dug) wells.
abstract: Arsenic contamination in drinking-water in Bangladesh is a major catastrophe, the consequences of which exceed most other man-made disasters. The national policy encourages the use of surface water as much as possible without encountering the problems of sanitation that led to the use of groundwater in the first place. This paper describes the success of the Dhaka Community Hospital (DCH) team and the procedure in implementing sanitary, arsenic-free, dugwells. The capital cost for running water is US$ 5-6 per person. Sixty-six sanitary dugwells were installed in phases between 2000 and 2004 in Pabna district of Bangladesh where there was a great need of safe water because, in some villages, 90% of tubewells were highly contaminated with arsenic. In total, 1,549 families now have access to safe arsenic-free dugwell water. Some of them have a water-pipe up to their kitchen. All of these were implemented with active participation of community members. They also pay for water-use and are themselves responsible for the maintenance and water quality. The DCH helped the community with installation and maintenance protocol and also with monitoring water quality. The bacteria levels are low but not always zero, and studies are in progress to reduce bacteria by chlorination.
authors: Dhaka Community Hospital, 190/1 Baro Moghbazar, Wireless Railgate, Dhaka 1217, Bangladesh.
authors: Sakila Afroz
authors: SA
authors: Joya
authors: Golam
authors: G
authors: Mostofa
authors: Jabed
authors: J
authors: Yousuf
authors: Ariful
authors: A
authors: Islam
authors: Altab
authors: A
authors: Elahi
authors: Golam
authors: G
authors: Mahiuddin
authors: Mahmuder
authors: M
authors: Rahman
authors: Quazi
authors: Q
authors: Quamruzzaman
authors: Richard
authors: R
authors: Wilson
mesh_terms: D001151:Arsenic / Q000032:analysis*; D001459:Bangladesh; D003256:Community Participation; D003362:Cost-Benefit Analysis; D005374:Filtration; D005618:Fresh Water / Q000737:chemistry; D006801:Humans; D012423:Rural Health; D014871:Water Microbiology; D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical / Q000032:analysis*; D018508:Water Purification / Q000191:economics / Q000379:methods*; D014881:Water Supply / Q000592:standards*
chemical_list: D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical; D001151:Arsenic