AAN :::Asia Arsenic Network Bangladesh

Reported by: Tarun Kanti Hore

1. Panjia Project

• Information Collection from Arsenicosis Patients : AAN collected information from 63 arsenicosis patients of Panjia Union identified during the Medical Camp . It was conducted by FW s from 2 nd to 4 th July to know their water fetching /use behavior and other details . The information will be also used for distributing of AAN filter s .

•Ward AMC Meeting: There were 3 AMC meeting s in July in Panjia W Nos. 1, 2 and 9.

Ward #2: It was held on 6 th July and attended by 67 persons including WAMC members and UP Chairman. Villagers were eager to know the results of their TW screening and household survey and then safe water options. After explanation of details of the survey and possible safe water options , the meeting decided the following points ;

• Type of option is DTW .
• Four site s should be selected for DTWs.
• User Committee Executive Members (11 persons for each DTW)

Finally they express ed their gratitude to AAN for the arsenic mitigation activities . They mentioned that every NGO went way after survey, but this time they could hear the result s of TW screening and household survey and then they can expect safe water options.

The WAMC requested AAN to install another 2 DTWs for Garbhanga village, which they said total villagers would be benefited.

• Ward #1: With the presence of 12 persons the Ward #1 AMC meeting was organized on 12th July. AAN explained the survey result s , safe water options, arsenicosis patients and the willing ness to install one safe water option for W #1. The WAMC suggested 2 places ( Mandardanga Purbopara and Imamnagar Gazi Para) as a possible site for the device offered by AAN. They selected DTW as a safe water device a t the meeting.

• Ward #9: On the same day, 12th July , the AMC of Panjia W #9 also organized a meeting. AAN gave once more the same explanation as done in W #1, and offer ed one safe water device. Among the 2 sites (West para of Panjia and Balighata of Had) proposed by WAMC, Panjia West para was selected for a DTW .

• User Committees Formation: As Ward Arsenic Committees made decision s, a series of work was designed by AAN to form User s Committees. AAN asked those executive members who were selected at the WAMC meeting s to hold a meeting for:

• Formation of Users Committees

• Select the spot for the device

• Make a list of Users

• Make a plan to collect 10% contribution from Users

The details of the formation are given bellow:

Date of Formation	User s Committee Name	Ward #	Total Users listed with Committee
17 July	Garbhanga South-East Para Water Committee	2	75
17 July	Garbhanga East Para Water Committee	2	123
18 July	Garbhanga West Para Water Committee	2	*
18 July	Garbhanga Middle Para Water Committee	2	43
20 July	Mandardanga East Para Water Committee	1	48
20 July	Panjia West Para Water Committee	9	64
Total			335

* In this para the DTW site is still under consideration and is likely to be decided through the mediation of UP Chairman

• Site Selection for DTWs : Ward AMCs asked each User Committee to select a site for DTW. S ix UCs of Garbhanga organized Users meeting s from 17 to 20 July and decided 5 sites after discussions.

The UC of Gorbhanga West Para selected a spot but some of the people did not accept the UC ' s decision. The UC , therefore, withheld their decision and asked AAN to solve the problem. AAN then request ed Union AMC's Chairman to solve the problem as a representative of Local Gov ernmen t. Chairman visited the spot with AAN staff and asked villagers to deposit their contribution. The spot will be announced soon, he said.

Why the spot was not selected? : Before hold ing a UC meeting with AAN, UC arranged few meeting s to select the spot. At first 11 members of UC decided 3 spots by 3, 4 and 5 votes respectively. T hree persons ' opinion was ignored since they were considered to be representing a minor group and UC again asked the executive members to vote for a spot. Finally all the 11 members decided to follow the major selector's opinion. It was in front of the house of Mr. Feroz Masters (UC Chairman). A t the UC meeting arranged by them, some families disagreed with the spot selected by the UC. Later AAN tried to help them select a spot using PRA method s but failed , and finally asked UAMC's Chairman to solve the problem. Now, it is under negotia tion between the UC and UP Chairman.

[After visiting the whole area with UP Chairman, AAN think that the selected point (front of Mr. Feroz Masters ' house) should be the appropriate one considering the locations of all the users houses of that area.]

• Awareness-raising Cultural Program: It was decided at the CMC meeting earlier in July to carry out an awareness-raising cultural program with multimedia show at 4 sites in Panjia Union. Objectives of the program were set, among others, as follows:

• T o encourage the people to use arsenic-safe water for drinking and cooking purpose s;

• T o promote to use sanitary latrine s for healthy and hygienic living ;

• T o save the environment.

The cultural program performed in July is recorded below:

Date	Prog #	Village	Venue	W ard	Participants
23 July	1	Gorbhanga	West para Primary School	2	430
24 July	2	Gorbhanga	Bazar High School	2	1,200
26 July	3	P Bankabarshi	P.B Govt. Primary School	1	480
27 July	4	Panjia	Panjia Govt. Primary School	9	700
Total:					2,810

The program is consisted of songs and gombhira on arsenic, arsenicosis, and environment followed by few popular folk songs. The purpose of the program is explained before performing the songs and gombhira .

AAN also conducts a Multimedia Show , where possible, with the collaboration of the District Information Office of Jessore , which holds picture-based stories and drama s about arsenic, arsenicosis and arsenic safe water option s ( including rainwater harvesting system s ). Since AAN does not have a multimedia projector, we alone cannot organize such a show but people enjoy them and ask us to arrange more.

• AAN Filter arrangement: AAN decided to distribute 26 AAN filters among the arsenicosis patients who are facing problems to collect arsenic safe water due to long distance. For preparation, AAN has purchased all the necessary raw materials . It will be possible to distribute AAN filters early August.

• Others: AAN visited the spots for safe water devices to see if most of the users are content with those selected spot s. AAN also extend ed its help to U sers C ommittee s for collecting users share.

2. General Activities

•Safe Water Options

i) Gravel Sand Filter for Marua DTW : The construction of a gravel sand filter (DW Type-B) started on 27 th May at the DTW site in Marua and finished on July 9 with all the chambers filled with gravels and sand . The water sample s were collected for laboratory test on 25 th July . The result of the test is given bellow:

Parameters	Bang ladesh Standard	Raw water	Filter ed Water
pH	6.5~8.5	6.68	7.09
ORP (mV)		-82	131
Conductivity ( m S/cm)		484	421
TDS (mg/l)	1000	484	421
Turbidity (FAU)	10	0	0
As (mg/l)	0.05	0.105	0.001
NH 4 + (mg/l)	0.64	1.32	0.27
NO 3 - (mg/l)	44	1.0	0.60
PO 4 3- (mg/l)	6.0	0.62	0.23
Total Coliform (cfu/100ml)	0		1100

Note: Filtered water was tested without adding chlorine.

ii)Improvement of Marua DW #1 & # 2: To ensure the supply of water to the DW sand filter s, AAN developed a system to use two sources of water with a gate valve . The water sources are (1) dug well and (2) emergency well when dug well dries up . The system was appli ed for both DW #1 and # 2 in Marua . However, people were using emergency well water only since the dug wells had problems like a crack on the wall or sand fall around the dug well. Unfortunately, those emergency well s are arsenic contaminated and the filtered water showed arsenic concentrations exceeding the permissible level of 0.05 mg/L when tested in March this year.

The DWs were repaired accordingly. The sand was replaced with new one for both filters gravel s were washed also during the period of 1 st and 6 th July.

iii) Development of Water Quality of KRK Pipeline: From 2 nd week of July the caretaker started taking out floating algae regularly and open ing the gate valve for back - wash once a week. H e also k eeps record in his daily. The inlet holes of up - flow pipe s was covered with a cap of wire n et to prevent floating algae from entering into the bottom of gravel chambers. It was done from 11 to 12 th July.

An AAN m onitoring team checked the water quality and was very much satisfied with the result. The monitoring team also interview ed some user families and taste d their reserve d water , which gave them good impression on AAN .

iv) Chupria PSF: The device has been inactive since June 2004 . After discussion with the local NGO named Chupria Mohila Sangstha AAN connected the filter with the pond by removing the broken pipe . G ravels were washed as well from 12 to 15 July. Water quality will be test ed soon.

It is planned to activate the Users Committee by awareness-raising activities and reorganizing the UC.

v) Sreemontokathi PSF #3 : After the re-excavation of the pond in May, the pond owner did not allow anybody to connect the pipe with filter. There was a bad communication between the owner and the UC Secretary during the time of re - excavation. AAN asked for a meeting but it was not organize d due to some family problem s of the Secretary. In August it will be activated after holding a meeting with UC.

vi) Panchbhulat Mollahpara (Option #37 in Sharsha ): A DW filter was installed in May 2004 but has been inactive right from the beginning. The Users Committee now found a donor of pond and AAN agreed to change the filter to a PSF by adding a gravel chamber. On 16 th July the construction work started and the concreting of the foundation was finished on 25 th July 2005 . A ll the materials have been purchased.

vii) Distribution of Medicine: AAN distributed vitamin s A, C, and E and ointment in 5 villages from 19 th July to 1 st August. AAN requested arsenicosis patients to contribute 10% of the medicine cost . T he t otal cost of the medicine is 300 Tk. After considering the ir financial condition, however, AAN asked to contribute according to their financial abilities. They contributed ranging from 5 Tk . to 30 Tk. T wenty (20) patients could not pay any. The details are given bellow:

Date	Person in charge	Village	No. of Patients who received medicine	No. of Patients who paid their share	No. of Patients who did not pay their share	Contri- buted Amount (Taka)
19 July	Nozibor	Mazdia	6	6	0	160
20 July	Nozibor	Samta	24	12	12	128
21 July	Nozibor	Steemontokathi	29	26	3	410
25 July	Aklima	Marua	42	38	4	520
01 Aug	Aklima	Gopinathpur	11	10	1	140
Total:			112	92	20	1,358

• Research on DW: At the request of Prof. Feroz e Ahmed of BUET, AAN conducted a survey titled "Effect of chlorination on arsenic contaminated DW (raw) water" using the Sharsha Option #48 (DW-Type B in Shibnathpur West Para) where the arsenic contamination of the raw water is high. It was measured every 24 hours after adding chlorination 100mg/L. T he arsenic concentration of the raw water was 0.132mg/L when measured before starting the research. The result of the research is attached as Annex-1.

• JICA/AAN Option s Monitoring: In April 12 safe water devices out of the total 63 installed in Sharsha Upazila were not used due to shortage of water in dug wells and ponds . A follow-up survey was conducted from 18 th to 23 rd July. A summary of the survey is attachd as Annex-2.

Annex-1 Effect Of Chlorination On Arsenic Contaminated DW Raw Water Research Site: Sharsha Option #48 (Shibnathpur West Para )
Option No	Date of sampling	Date of analisis	Water type	Sampling time	Amount of Bleaching powder (g)	Depth (M)	Volume of water (L)	Air Tempr. (oC)	Water Tempr. (oC)	pH	DO (mg/l)	ORP (mV)	Cond. µS/cm	TDS mg/l	Turbidity FAU	Hardness mg/l	Free chlorine mg/l	Ammonium mg/l	As mg/l	Fe mg/l	Mn mg/l	T.C. cfu/100ml
DW-48 (Raw)	6-Jul-05	6-Jul-05	Before chlorination	10:50	0	1.4	1099	31	29.3	7.37	0.2	-62	947	436	41	340	0	3.18	0.132	4.38	1.219	25000
DW-48 (Raw)	After chlorination	13:40	70			31	29.4	7.35	0.61	469	1020	458	78	418	1	2.16	0.159	6.53	1.065	0
DW-48 (Raw)	7-Jul-05	7-Jul-05	Before chlorination	11:00	0	1.3	1021	31	28	7.2	0.41	3	993	457	33	428	0.2	2.24	0.079	3.175	1.009	60
DW-48 (Raw)	After chlorination	13:45	26			31	28	7.3	0.41	385	1004	464	68	418	1	2.77	0.139	5.965	0.907	0
DW-48 (Raw)	8-Jul-05	8-Jul-05	Before chlorination	11:30	0	1.35	1059.8	31	28.6	6.93	0.41	-49	1007	460	26	448	0	2.69	0.088	3.185	0.867	42
DW-48 (Raw)	After chlorination	13:00	13.5			31	28.7	7.07	0.41	106	1022	465	40	436	1	2.62	0.129	5.31	0.909	0
DW-48 (Raw)	9-Jul-05	9-Jul-05	Before chlorination	11:30	0	1.4	1099	32	27.6	7.15	0.2	-68	1012	464	18	428	0.05	3.33	0.129	3.81	1.05	30
DW-48 (Raw)	After chlorination	14:00	28			32	27.7	7.2	0.2	233	1007	465	36	416	1	3.12	0.147	5.605	0.915	0
DW-48 (Raw)	10-Jul-05	10-Jul-05	Before chlorination	11:00	0	1.1	863.5	31.5	27.7	7.07	0.2	-78	1005	468	26	448	0.05	3.47	0.13	4.595	0.947	35
DW-48 (Raw)	After chlorination	13:10	33			31.5	27.7	7.39	0.41	220	1019	473	61	418	1	3.34	0.189	7.805	0.907	0
DW-48 (Raw)	13-Jul-05	13-Jul-05	Without chlorination	11:30	0	1.49	1169.65	28	27.5	8.37	0.12	-40	967	449	67	408	0	3.06	0.106	3.79	0.993	1500
DW-48 (Raw)	17-Jul-05	17-Jul-05	Without chlorination	12:15	0	2.3	1805.5	33	28.6	7.94	0.12	-99	1044	477	56	436	0	4.12	0.186	6.95	1.108	5000

Information on Inactive Options of Sharsha Upazila ( July 2005 )

Op #	Site	Type	Union	Ward	Problem(s)	How to solve?	Support
17	Samta South Para	DW-B	Bagachra	9	i) Water shortage in dry season ii) User s prefer DTW	i) Motivation of both Users and Committee
23	Kaliani Middle Para	PSF	Goga	7	i) Shortage of water	i) Wait for rain ii) Wash gravel and sand	500
26	Bhabanipur West Para	DW-A	Kayba	2	i) Connection between DW to TW of filter	i) Technical support by Mechanic	300
31	Kathuria East Para	DTW	Ulashi	8	i) Other devices don't perform well here ii) Few amount of water in DTW	i) Re-install ation of DTW	45 , 000
41	Goga East Morol Para	DW-A	Goga	5	i) Connection between DW to TW of filter	i) Technical support by Mechanic	800
50	Kadamtala School Para	DW-A	Putkhali	8	i) Committee are inactive	i) Bail out water by pump ii) New c hlorination bucket and taps	500
52	Panchbhulat Middle Para	PSF	Goga	1	i) Shortage of water	i) To train them for O&M	Technic i an
53	Agrabhulat South Para	PSF	Goga	2	i) Shortage of water	i) To train them for O&M	Technic i an
54	Horishchandrapur West Para	PSF	Goga	3	i) Shortage of water	i) Wash gravel and sand	500
59	Rudrapur South Para Shimanto	PSF	Kayba	9	i) Shortage of water	i) Wait for rain	Technic i an
60	Bohilapota Middle Para	PSF	Laxk s hmanpur	8	i) Connection between DW to TW of filter ii) Committee doesn't play their role	i) Repairing of pipe and activate connection ii) Wash gravel and sand iii)Reform Committee	1 , 500
62	Shubornnakhali South Para	PSF	Sharsha	7	i) Shortage of water	i) Wait for rain ii) To push UC for gravel and sand washing	400
NB: For activating all other options 3 days are required with one Mechanic and one Site Engineer							750

Total:							Tk. 50 , 250