Drinking Water Supply Options in Arsenic and Salinity Affected Areas of Bangladesh: A Case Study

2021 ◽  
Vol 12 (1-2) ◽  
pp. 215-223
Author(s):  
MA Rahman ◽  
MA Ali ◽  
T Ahmed ◽  
ME Habib ◽  
MS Hossain
Keyword(s):  
Drinking Water ◽  
Water Supply ◽  
Rainwater Harvesting ◽  
Service Providers ◽  
Iron Chloride ◽  
Drinking Water Supply ◽  
Aquifer Recharge ◽  
High Concentration ◽  
Groundwater Arsenic ◽  
Harvesting Systems

Widespread groundwater arsenic contamination in south, south-western and north-eastern regions and high salinity in the south-western coastal region are the two major challenges for drinking water supply in Bangladesh. In this study, we assessed various water supply technologies used for mitigating arsenic and salinity in Laksam of Cumilla and Assasuni of Satkhira district. Water samples were analyzed for Arsenic, Iron, Chloride (indicator for salinity) and FC from different water extraction systems (shallow, deep and Tara tubewells), groundwater arsenic treatment units (SIDKO and READ-F), rainwater harvesting systems (RWH), pond sand filters (PSF), and managed aquifer recharge units. Most shallow tubewells, both in Laksam and Assasuni, have been found to produce arsenic contaminated water. But water from deep and Tara tubewells have been found arsenic-free, though high concentration of iron was observed in the wells in Laksam. Rainwater harvesting systems, PSF and MAR units in Assasuni have been found to provide water free from the common chemical contaminants but suffer from high bacterial contamination. Deep tubewell appear to be the most preferred option where a suitable aquifer is available. The community-scale groundwater treatment systems would require strong operation and maintenance support from the service providers to be successful. Environ. Sci. & Natural Resources, 12(1&2): 215-223, 2019

Quality and suitability of harvested rainwater for drinking in Bangladesh

2010 ◽  
Vol 10 (3) ◽  
pp. 359-366 ◽  
Author(s):  
Md. Rezaul Karim
Keyword(s):  
Drinking Water ◽  
Water Supply ◽  
Rainwater Harvesting ◽  
Quality Parameters ◽  
Drinking Water Supply ◽  
Supply Source ◽  
Drinking Water Standard ◽  
Guideline Values ◽  
Harvesting Systems ◽  
Who Guideline

Several programs have been undertaken during the last few years to install rooftop rainwater harvesting systems as an alternative drinking water supply source both in the coastal and arsenic affected areas in Bangladesh. In this study, quality of the harvested rainwater used for drinking water supply was assessed. A total of 308 harvested rainwater samples were collected from the different storage reservoirs located both in coastal and arsenic affected areas and analysed for various physical, chemical and microbial indicators. Most of the physical and chemical water quality parameters were well below the Bangladesh Drinking Water Standard and WHO guideline values. However, the harvested rainwater was found microbiologically contaminated to some extent and the water is not suitable for consumption without treatment. For safe and sustainable rainwater harvesting, WHO guideline and water safely plan (WSP) can be adopted in Bangladesh.

scholarly journals Bacteriological assessment of drinking water supply options in coastal areas of Bangladesh

2011 ◽  
Vol 9 (2) ◽  
pp. 415-428 ◽  
Author(s):  
Md. Atikul Islam ◽  
Hiroyuki Sakakibara ◽  
Md. Rezaul Karim ◽  
Masahiko Sekine ◽  
Zahid Hayat Mahmud
Keyword(s):  
Drinking Water ◽  
Water Supply ◽  
Vibrio Cholerae ◽  
Water Samples ◽  
Disease Burden ◽  
Coastal Areas ◽  
Drinking Water Supply ◽  
Wet Season ◽  
Harvesting Systems ◽  
Shigella Spp

This study was conducted to assess the bacteriological quality of alternative drinking water supply options in southwest coastal areas of Bangladesh. A total of 90 water samples were collected during both dry and wet seasons from household based rainwater harvesting systems (RWHSs), community based rain water harvesting systems (CRWHSs), pond-sand filters (PSFs) and ponds. The samples were evaluated for faecal coliform, Escherichia coli and Heterotrophic Plate Count, as well as Vibrio cholerae, Salmonella spp., Shigella spp. and Pseudomonas spp. Physico-chemical parameters (pH, electrical conductivity, and color) were also examined. In addition, sanitary inspections were conducted to identify faecal contamination sources. All options showed varying degrees of indicator bacterial contamination. The median E. coli concentrations measured for RWHSs, CRWHSs, PSFs, and ponds were 16, 7, 11, and 488 cfu/100 ml during the wet season, respectively. Vibrio cholerae O1/O139, Salmonella and Shigella spp. were not found in any samples. However, Vibrio cholerae Non-O1/Non-O139 and Pseudomonas spp. were isolated from 74.4% and 91.1% of the water samples collected during the wet season. A maximum pH of 10.4 was found in CRWHSs. Estimation of the disease burden for all options in disability adjusted life years (DALYs) showed an increased disease burden during the wet season. According to sanitary inspections, poor maintenance and unprotected ponds were responsible for rainwater and PSF water contamination, respectively. The findings of the present study suggest that alternative drinking water supply options available in southwest coastal Bangladesh pose a substantial risk to public health.

scholarly journals Application of the Kilimanjaro Concept in Reversing Seawater Intrusion and Securing Water Supply in Zanzibar, Tanzania

Water ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (15) ◽  
pp. 2085
Author(s):  
Zuleikha Pembe-Ali ◽  
Tulinave Burton Mwamila ◽  
Mesia Lufingo ◽  
Willis Gwenzi ◽  
Janeth Marwa ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Drinking Water ◽  
Rural Communities ◽  
Water Supply ◽  
Seawater Intrusion ◽  
Rainwater Harvesting ◽  
Drinking Water Supply ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Small Islands ◽  
Safe Drinking Water ◽  
Salinity Levels

There is escalating salinity levels on small islands due to uncontrolled groundwater extraction. Conventionally, this challenge is addressed by adopting optimal groundwater pumping strategies. Currently, on Unguja Island (Zanzibar), urban freshwater is supplied by desalination, which is expensive and energy-intensive. Hence, desalinization cannot be afforded by rural communities. This study demonstrates that the innovative Kilimanjaro Concept (KC), based on rainwater harvesting (RWH) can remediate seawater intrusion in Unguja, while enabling a universal safe drinking water supply. The reasoning is rooted in the water balance of the whole island. It is shown that if rainwater is systematically harvested, quantitatively stored, and partly infiltrated, seawater intrusion will be reversed, and a universal safe drinking water supply will be secured. Water treatment with affordable technologies (e.g., filtration and adsorption) is suggested. The universality of KC and its suitability for small islands is demonstrated. Future research should focus on pilot testing of this concept on Unguja Island and other island nations.

Participatory multi-criteria evaluation of alternative options for water supply in cyclone-prone areas of Bangladesh

2014 ◽  
Vol 4 (1) ◽  
pp. 100-107 ◽  
Author(s):  
Abu Hena Mustafa Kamal Sikder ◽  
Mashfiqus Salehin
Keyword(s):  
Drinking Water ◽  
Water Supply ◽  
Rainwater Harvesting ◽  
Groundwater Resources ◽  
Drinking Water Supply ◽  
Systematic Evaluation ◽  
Small Scale ◽  
Significant Deterioration ◽  
Cyclonic Storm ◽  
Sustainable Solutions

Availability of safe drinking water is considered a key challenge in the coastal region of Bangladesh. High concentrations of salinity, iron and arsenic, and the unavailability of suitable aquifers, have deterred the exploitation of groundwater resources. In addition the cyclonic storm surge is a major threat to this system. Cyclones accompanied by storm surges in the coastal area cause significant deterioration of drinking water supply and sanitation. Water professionals have launched some initiatives to promote small-scale, alternative safe water sources (e.g. rainwater harvesting, pond sand filters and piped water techniques) to provide sustainable solutions to the problem. However, a systematic evaluation of the alternatives that considers social, technical and economic criteria has not been carried out so far. The present study is an attempt to evaluate the alternative options for drinking water supply in a cyclone-prone area. The authors conducted a multi-criteria analysis and reached the conclusion that rainwater harvesting is the most suitable option for the area. Moreover, the final result was shared with the users to obtain their feedback to ensure sustainability of the water source.

Assessment of rainwater harvesting for drinking water supply in Bangladesh

2010 ◽  
Vol 10 (2) ◽  
pp. 243-249 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. R. Karim
Keyword(s):  
Drinking Water ◽  
Rural Communities ◽  
Water Supply ◽  
Rainwater Harvesting ◽  
Community Based ◽  
Government Organizations ◽  
Drinking Water Standard ◽  
Harvesting Systems ◽  
Cooking Water ◽  
Who Guideline

Rainwater harvesting is a potential option of water supply to the coastal and arsenic affected rural communities in Bangladesh and during the last few years, several projects were undertaken to promote and install various types of rainwater harvesting systems by government organizations and NGOs mainly for drinking and cooking water supply. A study was undertaken to assess the currently practiced rainwater harvesting systems located in the south west coastal and arsenic affected areas in the country. A total of 1,000 rainwater-harvesting systems were investigated using structured questionnaires; among them 14.8% were community based and 85.2% were household rainwater harvesting systems. The results of this assessment are presented in this paper. Availability of the harvested rainwater, operation, storage and maintenance of community based rainwater harvesting and ensuring water quality to meet the drinking water standard are the important issues that must be addressed properly. A protocol for the operation and maintenance according to WHO guideline can be adopted for the safe and sustainable rainwater harvesting in the country.

Microbial contamination and associated health burden of rainwater harvesting in Bangladesh

2010 ◽  
Vol 61 (8) ◽  
pp. 2129-2135 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. R. Karim
Keyword(s):  
Drinking Water ◽  
Health Risk ◽  
Water Supply ◽  
Disease Burden ◽  
Microbial Contamination ◽  
Rainwater Harvesting ◽  
Health Burden ◽  
Harvesting Systems ◽  
Rooftop Rainwater Harvesting ◽  
Microbial Disease

Rooftop rainwater harvesting has received an increased attention as a potential alternative water supply source both in the coastal and arsenic affected rural areas in Bangladesh. Several programs in installing rainwater harvesting systems have been implemented to mitigate the drinking water problem in the coastal and arsenic affected areas in the country. This study was conducted with a view to assess sanitary integrity, microbial contamination and the associated health risk of the currently practiced rooftop rainwater harvesting mainly used for drinking water supply. Sanitary inspection of the rainwater harvesting systems and an extensive sampling of harvested rainwater from the storage reservoirs and laboratory analysis were conducted. The study findings reveal that harvested rainwater was found to microbiologically contaminated to some extend. The disease burden estimated using QHRA model showed a significant microbial health burden associated with drinking untreated rainwater and both viral and bacterial pathogens dominate the microbial disease burden. In context of arsenic mitigation, rainwater harvesting reduces the health risk from arsenic; however it may increase the microbial disease burden much higher than the level of arsenic health risk at 50 μg/L of Bangladesh standard. Microbial risk needs proper attention through the implementation of a water safety plan for safe and sustainable rainwater harvesting in Bangladesh.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document