The Daily Star:    Volume 3 Number 871      Thu. February 14, 2002 
       
       No alternative source of safe water

      Most people in two dists use arsenic contaminated water



      Abdul Wadood, Rajshahi


      Though the people in Rajshahi and Chapainawabganj have heard of arsenic 
      contamination of water and its fatal effects, yet they take the poison 
      continuously.

      "We cannot but take it (arsenic contaminates water) as we are yet to have 
      any alternative source of safe water," said Shefali, 38, a house wife in 
      Laxmipur Schoolpara village in Barogharia union of Sadar upazila in 
      Chapainawabganj.

      She said water of their own family tubewell was contaminated with arsenic 
      of more than the acceptable range. The NGO workers have marked it with red 
      colour and advised them not to use the tubewell water for drinking and 
      cooking purpose. But the nearest source of safe water is about 400 yards 
      away from house. "It is not always possible to collect water from that 
      distant source," Shefali said. So they often use arsenic-contaminated 
      water from their own red marked tubewell.

      In their village, 48 tubewells, out of 63, have been detected having 
      excessive amount of arsenic (more then 50 microqrowns per litre.
      WATSAN Partnership Project (WPP), financed by Swiss Development and 
      Cooperation (SDC), conducted a survey through its partner NGOs from 
      January to May this year in seven unions of Poba, Charghat, Bagha and 
      Bagmara upazilas of Rajshahi and in seven unions of Shibganj and the sadar 
      upazilas of Chapainawabganj. There are 640 villages in the area of survey.
      Results coming from 618 villages revealed that arsenic had been found in 
      258 villages in excessive amount. A total of 9,234 families use arsenic 
      contaminated water.

      There are 384 confirmed patients of arsenicosis and some 2,462 suspected 
      cases who are yet to give clear signs and symptoms.

      According to the survey, in 45 villages, water of more than 50 per cent of 
      of tube wells contain excessive arsenic.

      Cent percent tubewells have been found to contain excessive arsenic in 
      Nichu Dhumi village of Moharajpur union in Sadar upazila of 
      Chapainawabganj.

      In 13 villages, 81 to 99 per cent tubewells and 61 to 80 per cent 
      tubewells in 20 villages have been found to have arsenic of more than the 
      acceptable range.

      While visiting some villages in Bagha upazila of Rajshahi and sadar and 
      Shibganj upazilas of Chapainawabganj last week, a cross section of people 
      including females, children and illiterates, had been informed of arsenic 
      problem. They have come to know about it through the propaganda's of NGO, 
      radio, television and newspapers.

      "They come and advise not to use arsenic-contaminated water, but do not 
      arrange arsenic-free water for us," Shefali said and added, "So we cannot 
      but to risk our lives by drinking arsenic-contaminated water even after 
      knowing its fatal consequences."