PRISM BANGLADESH ARSENIC MITIGATION PROJECT - RAMGOTI BANGLADESH

May, 2005

In rural BANGLADESH, arsenic contaminated drinking water from the major water supply source, shallow tube wells, has subjected the population to the largest widespread poisoning recorded in history. Approximately 46 million people, or 65% of the country, are exposed to arsenic contaminated water supply at levels above levels recommended by WHO. Pollution of existing surface water with bacteria, viruses, and other water borne diseases additionally prevent access to safe water.

Since 1989 PRISM BANGLADESH has been working with 12,000 rural poor women from Ramgoti and Shudhram sub-districts (Upazilla) in the southern coastal belts of Bangladesh; these areas are critically affected by arsenic contamination and salinity-prone shallow water wells. PRISM'S integrated development project focuses on provision of community sanitation and safe water supply. In the worst affected areas, the population is mobilized into groups trained in group management and arsenic mitigation water supply options. Solutions require land donation, construction of tube well platforms, and installation of deep-set hand arsenic-free land pumps.

PRISM BANGLADESH'S objective stresses mobilization and empowerment of rural women and the poor by strengthening their management skills - training them in planning, execution and system maintenance of the new wells. The "user group" at each pump site has elected a Water Supply Management Committee and Caretakers Team responsible for the sustained operation of the community pump and water supply. PRISM field staff also selected two experienced groups of local tube well-drilling mechanics and pump installation mechanics for installation of the Arsenic-Free Water Systems at the ten selected village sites.

PRISM field staff played the role of consultants and supervised these women's pump management committees to ensure the successful completion of the deep tube-well installation.

Contamination-free Hand Pump Tube Wells are being installed in ten of the worst affected villages of Ramgoti and Shudharam Sub-districts. The project was started in March 2005 and should be fully operational in June, 2005. Six arsenic-free hand pump tube wells have already been installed in six villages. Drilling work on two more wells in Shudharam are in progress. The average user group for each deep-set tube wells consists of 118 families of 5.5 members. Over 1000 families will benefit from this de-contaminated water. The average depth of the wells is 860 feet, and the new supply water already tested at the laboratory does not contain arsenic and chloride above contamination limit. Each well and hand pump costs an average of US $1000. The ten beneficiary groups receive a total of US $250 for their installation work.

The HIMALAYAN FAIR has contributed money for ten Arsenic-Free Drinking Water Tube Wells for women and children in 'Ramgoti' village, Bangladesh.