Training Course on GIS in DPHE.

5-days long training course on Geographic Information Systems (GIS) for the 12 Assistant/ Sub-Assistant Engineers of Department of Public Health Engineering was held from 17th December to 22nd December' 2008 under the IDB Assisted Water Supply facilities in the coastal belt project in DPHE Training Centre, Dhaka.

Mr. Md. Shahbaz Hossain, Project Director, ADB Assisted Seconary Towns Water Supply Project inaugurated the course. In the opening session among others present are Md. Sirijul Islam, PD, IDB Assisted Project W/S Project, Mr. Tushir Mohan Shadu Kha, Executive Engineer, Training Division & Course Co-ordinator. GIS Consultant from Farhat Consulting Engineers Mr. Moniruzzaman conducted the course in all the days.

Mr. Md. Shakawat Hossain, Additional Chief Engineer (Works) giving away the certificate among the participants in the concluding day.

Mr. Md. Shahabaz Hossain, PD, ADB Assisted Project, DPHE delivered the inaugral speech of the training course.

Mr. Md. Shakawat Hossain, Additional Chief Engineer (Works), DPHE distributed the certificate among the participants. Mr. Md. Sirijul Islam, PD, IDB Project seen in the picture.

Water quality testing in a newly installed tubewell.

Monwar Ali

Newly Installed Tubewell in SADR affected Bagerhat District, Bangladesh

Gas is coming out from a newly installed Deep Tubewell in Lalmohan Upazila under Bhola Dist, Bangladesh

Deep Tubewell in Lalmohan Upazila under Bhola Dist. DPHE

WORLD TOILET DAY ON 19th NOVEMBER-SANITATION FOR ALL

World Toilet Day on 19th November reminds us that over 2.6 billion people lack any form of 'improved' sanitation; one-sixth of the world's population get their water from sources contaminated by human and animal faeces; half of all people in developing countries have an illness related to sanitation and water quality; and every six seconds, a child dies of diarrhoea.

Sanitation has enormous economic, social and ecological implications, trapping developing countries in a vicious circle of poverty. Safe drinking water and sanitation are crucial in the fight to end world poverty. CIWEM finds it unacceptable that the Millennium Development Goal to halve the amount of people without access to basic sanitation is arguably the goal farthest from being reached.
CIWEM Director of International Development, Paul Horton, says: “I think that in the International Year of Sanitation it is imperative that the sanitation target set under MDG Seven is reviewed and an honest assessment made of the progress, or lack, towards achieving the aim of reducing by half the number of people without access to sanitation. The definition of basic sanitation in the target should be enhanced to incorporate the standards used by the Joint Monitoring Programme (JMP) and, linked to the JMP, there should be an audit process to ensure that data collected is of robust quality. At a time when the world is facing ever more volatile weather systems due to climate change, access to proper sanitation is a fundamental human right, one that is in danger of never being met unless the MDG target is reviewed and a realistic plan of action is developed.”

Source: European Water News

THIRD SACOSAN- Field Visits to Kurukshtra on 17th November 2008

Mr. Md. Mustafizur Rahman, Chief Engineer, Department of Public Health Engineering, Govt. of Bangladesh seen along with the participants in to have an overview of the rural sanitation projects in Kurukshtra, Haryana, India on 17th November' 2008.

LOGO-International Year of SANITAION 2008

Third SACOSAN (South Asian Conference on Sanitation) Starts in New Delhi

Indian Prime Minister’s speech at the Third South Asian Conference on Sanitation

November 18, 2008New Delhi

“I am delighted to be here today at the Third South Asian Conference on Sanitation. This Conference has a very special significance because the year 2008 has been declared as the International Year of Sanitation.

Sanitation has a strong connection not only with personal hygiene but also with human dignity and well-being, public health, nutrition and even education. Mahatma Gandhi had once said “Sanitation is more important than independence”. He made cleanliness and sanitation an integral part of the Gandhian way of living. His dream was total sanitation for all.
The past record in providing sanitation facilities particularly in our region of South Asia has not been very encouraging. A fact sheet on the International Year of Sanitation states that nearly 2.6 billion people including a billion children lack access to effective sanitary facilities resulting in avoidable infant mortality. In our region, nearly a billion people are without effective sanitation services. This is a major challenge and will require an all out effort by each of our seven countries.

I am happy that things are changing and changing for the better. In recent years, all the countries in South Asia are working on making sanitation a priority development investment. It is our solemn obligation duty to ensure that every citizen South Asia has access to a functioning toilet.

In India we have worked hard to correct the neglect of the past in this vital area. In the past five years, the government has increased investment in rural sanitation by as much as six times and I compliment my colleague Dr. Raghuvansh Prasad Singh for having brought a dedicated spirit to give guidance to this vital programme.

The big change in the Indian effort on rural sanitation came when we began to use the energy of our local bodies for sanitation. An incentive-based “Nirmal Gram Puraskar” or Clean Village Award was crafted into our campaign for total sanitation. This has led to community leadership taking up the campaign to bring about total sanitation in our villages as their priority concern. Panchayats are competing with each other to win the Nirmal Gram Puraskar. This mobilization of the resources of the civil society is a very shining example of the initiatives that our Ministry of Rural Development has taken in recent years.

I wish to place a few general issues for your consideration.

First, sanitation issues need to be given priority in our development policy approaches. Its cross cutting implications need deep study and greater understanding. The role of community leadership in changing old habits and ways of thinking will be crucial as our own experience has shown. The capacities of our rural and urban local bodies to address these issue from both social and economic angles will need to be enhanced.

Second, sanitation has to be located in an integrated framework of public health policy to ensure that sanitation activities are indeed adequately funded. We know for example that something as simple as washing hands properly can check 50% of the diarrhoea cases in our country. Provision of safe drinking water can also greatly help to contain the incidence of many water borne diseases. Similarly, provision of toilets near the habitat can protect our women against many stomach related diseases. Therefore, conscious efforts have to be made to invest in hygiene consciousness and sanitation as part of a holistic public health policy.

Third is the area of technology. We need to develop sanitation technologies for diverse eco-systems. Advances in science and technology make it possible as never before in human history that chronic poverty and ill health do not have to be the inevitable lot of a majority of human race. The new technologies have to be affordable and sustainable. This is a technology challenge we must work on, using both modern science and traditional wisdom and knowledge. We know that advanced technologies exist for toilets used in pir space programmes. We also know that traditional water systems were engineered in our villages to optimize scarce resources including the use of water. We should, therefore, use scientific ingenuity to take us to the next generation of sanitation technologies.

Fourth, we need to address the issue of sustainability. I am told that 20% of the toilets built in our country are not functional because of a variety of factors, from poor construction to the lack of adequate maintenance. We need, therefore, to build local capacity in construction and maintenance of sanitation facilities.

We have been, for some time, advocating a “barefoot engineers” programme where rural youth are trained in multiple engineering skills to repair agricultural pumpsets, handpumps, rural household power connections, agricultural implements and sanitation facilities. In our country we have conceived of a major national initiative for skill development. I hope that we will be able to integrate training of barefoot engineers into this national plan.

We will be very happy to share our experience with other countries of South Asia and also to learn and gain from their experience in tackling problems of rural sanitation.

We should look upon human waste as a resource to be recycled and reused so that it does not contaminate our land or water. This is a particular challenge in our fast urbanising habitats. The more we urbanize and industrialize, this challenge will gain in importance and sooner we get prepared to tackle it, the better it is for all.

I am happy that one of the themes of your conference is “Sanitation beyond toilets”. We should explore new models of solid and liquid waste management through innovative and even income generating schemes.

I am very happy that the governments of South Asia are cooperating on the issues that really matter to our teeming millions. The Conference should set out a regional agenda for action on the theme of your Conference “Sanitation for Dignity and Health”. Let us work together to realize Gandhi’s clarion call for total sanitation and assure a life of dignity and good health to all citizens of South Asia. Good sanitation should be a birthright of every citizen of South Asia. Through these words, I once again extend a very warm welcome to all the Ministers and Delegates from other countries of South Asia. I wish your deliberations all success.”

Rural Water Supply Status and Coverage up to June-2008 in Bangladesh

100% Sanitation (Latrine Coverage) by 2010 in Bangladesh.

The United Nations declared its Millennium Development Goals (MDG) in 2000. Subsequently the World Summit for Sustainable Development (WSSD) held in Johannesburg of South Africa put special emphasis on sanitation among other issues. The summit adopted the resolution to reduce the unsaved population of 2400-millions sanitation by 50% within 2015 and to achieve universal sanitation coverage by 2025. As a follow up, Government of Bangladesh organized South Asian Conference on Sanitation (SACOSAN) in October 2003 for South Asian Countries. 300 experts and representatives from 9 countries participated in the conference. The participants expressed their determination through the Dhaka Declaration for promotion of sanitation in the region.

To put emphasis on sanitation, the Government of Bangladesh has declared sanitation for all by 2010 as an approach for reduction of child death from water borne diseased, protection of environment and reduction of poverty. With the coordinated efforts of all government partners, non-government agencies and Local Government Institutions (LGIs) the Local Government Division is committed to realise declared targets by the stipulated time.

Local Government Division of the Government of Bangladesh carried out nation-wide baseline sanitation survey in 2003 involving government and local government Institutions and acquired relevant information to prepare a comprehensive plan to achieve the sanitation target. The summary of the baseline survey is presented below:

The Government of Bangladesh has taken up an extensive programme of “National Sanitation Campaign” in order to ensure Government’s Commitment of achieving 100% sanitation by the year 2010. In this regard the month of October, each year has been declared Sanitation month.

Government of Bangladesh hosted SACOASN (South Asian Conference on Sanitation), 2003 in October in order to (i) assess the state of Sanitation & Hygiene, sharing experience and lessons learnt in the region (ii) raise the profile of Sanitation & Hygiene in South Asian following (WSSD) (iii) generate political commitment through a joint declaration and (iv) strengthen leadership/advocacy for improved sanitation & hygiene in South Asia.

Local Government Division of Ministry of Local Government, Rural Development and Cooperatives has allocated 20% of the Upazila (Sub-District) development grant for improvement of sanitation. In this regard a guideline has been formulated for proper utilization of the aforesaid grant. In case of City corporations and Municipalities, Government also earmarked 20% of the development grant for improvement of sanitation.

Task Forces/WATSAN Committees with definite terms of reference have been formed in the National, City Corporations, District, Municipality, Upazila, Union and Ward levels to materialize the national sanitation programme.

Local Government Division of Ministry of Local Government, Rural Development and Cooperatives has adopted a “National Sanitation Strategy” to reach the target.

Local Government Division declared additional development grants to Municipality/Upazila Parishad/Union Parishad and awards to head of those Local Govt. Institutions for achieving 100% sanitation under their jurisdiction. Up to March 2008, 1264 Union Parishads, 104 Upazila Parishads, 55 Pourashavas and 4 Districts have achieved 100% sanitation coverage.

Local Government Division of Ministry of Local Government, Rural Development and Cooperatives had adopted a policy to provide sanitary latrine sets to “Hard-core Poor” free of cost, who will install the latrine set and construct its superstructure of their own.

Sanitation (Latrine Coverage) from October 2003 to March 2008:

Future Challenges:

Sustainability: -

Sustainability of Sanitation System adopted by the people is a major challenge; Efforts are to be taken to ensure sanitation practices by the people as everyday routine work. Hard-Core poor people may shift to their old practice of open defecation, once their latrine needs major maintenance and rehabilitation. Routine hygiene practices such as latrine use, hand washing after defecation and cleaning child’s bottom, before taking food etc. must be followed by all members of a household. Total sanitation measures are to be adopted to ensure a safe and healthy environment.

Alongside achievement of 100% sanitation by all, Government has taken steps to provide hygiene education total sanitation for everybody. Through Local Govt. institutions and NGOs working in the locality, government has started providing hygiene education and motivating people to adopt total sanitation practices, such as clean courtyard, solid waste disposal, drainage of storm and domestic water. But this is a gigantic task and it needs active co-operation from donors, NGOs and others stakeholders.

Sanitation in Urban areas:

Sanitation practices among city dwellers in core areas in general are good. But the condition in urban slums and fringes are in a bad shape and need proper attention. Slum dwellers in City Corporations and Municipal areas lack provision of adequate safe drinking water, sanitary latrines, proper drainage facilities as well as hygienic practices. Land ownership and availability of space are major constraint. Sanitation coverage in urban areas is not increasing rapidly, due to absence of sanitation in slums and fringe areas. Immediate attention is necessary to improve the sanitation. Government is allocating additional budget to address the problem. But this is a huge task and lot of money and effort is required to ensure safe water, proper sanitation and hygienic practices. International donor agencies, NGOs and other stakeholders can come forward in this respect.
All the above problems are major challenges in the way to attain total sanitation by 2010. These problems are huge in nature and magnitude. UN agencies, international donors, international and national NGOs and other stakeholders can come forward united, alongside the government to solve this problem and support government in its campaign to provide total sanitation by the year 2010.

Different Technological Options in Rural Water Supply:Bangladesh

Arsenic Removal Plant (SIDKO PLANT)

Rain Water Harvesting (RWH)

Shrouded Tubewell (SST) & Very Shallow Shrouded Tubewell (VSST)

Pond Sand Filter (PSF)

Dug or Ring Well

TARA PUMP in low water table areas

Deep Tubewell

Shallow Tubewell

Facts about Char Development & Settlement Project (CDSP-III), Bangladesh

The long term development objective is to improve the economic situation and living conditions of the population in the coastal areas of south-eastern Bangladesh, with special reference to the poorest segments of the population. The project will be working towards this objective by aiming at three specific project purposes: promotion of an institutional environment that sustains CDSP type of interventions; accumulation and dissemination of knowledge on coastal development; directly improving the economic and social situation of people in coastal chars.

Essential elements in the approach of CDSP-III are poverty alleviation and integration. It follows the principles of Integrated Coastal Zone Management (ICZM) and of Integrated Water Resources Management (IWRM) by coordination of activities in several sectors and by taking into account the interests of different groups of water users.

CDSP-III (2005-2009) is to a great extent a phase of consolidation. The actual interventions at field levels are limited, the development of Boyer Char (6600 ha) and the improvement of drainage in the upstream area of the Baggar Dona river. The full range of lessons learned in the previous phases can be applied. The project will still be operational in CDSP-I and CDSP-II areas as well, in particular for land settlement and support to Water Management Organisations. CDSP-III is also engaged with identifying future char development programmes.

Much of the institutional work is geared towards the internalisation of CDSP concepts and working methods into the six implementing agencies. Emphasis in the knowledge development and dissemination component lies on monitoring the impact of project interventions of earlier phases and on linking the project data base with the Integrated Coastal Resources Database, located in the Water Resources Planning Organisation (WARPO).

Through a combination of interventions of the six implementing agencies, the project seeks to provide security to the approximately 9000 households that have settled in Boyer Char. Their physical security is enhanced by the construction of embankments and cyclone shelters and they are economically more secure by their legal title on the land and the improved environment for agricultural development and non-agriculture opportunities.

Water Supply and Sanitation intervention by the Department of Public Health Engineering

a) Deep Tube wells :600 nos.
b) Sanitary Latrine :11000 nos.
c) Public Toilet :20 nos.
d) Pond Sand Filter (PSF) :10 nos.
e) Rainwater Harvesting :20 nos.


In Boyer Char an NGO programme is being implemented by five local NGOs, coordinated by BRAC. The activities under this programme are complementary to those of the government agencies under CDSP-III. The two development efforts do not overlap each other but rather reinforce each others objectives.

The project is sponsored by the Ministry of Water Resources and is implemented by the Bangladesh Water Development Board (lead agency), the Ministry of Land, the Local Government Engineering Department, the Department of Public Health Engineering, the Department of Agriculture Extension and the Forest Department. A technical assistance team provides support to all agencies.

A unique feature of CDSP is the active cooperation between the government agencies, and the structured relationship between the government programme and the NGO activities in the same area. The coordinating body at the policy level is the National Steering Committee (NSC), chaired by the Secretary, Ministry of Water Resources, with representatives of the parent Ministries of the implementing agencies, Planning Commission, Implementation an Monitoring Division, BRAC, the Royal Netherlands Embassy (observer) and the technical assistance team (observer) as members. The Project Director is member-secretary. The NSC meets at least twice a year.

At project level the Project Management Committee (PMC) is the central coordinating and management body. It is headed by the Project Director, BWDB. The Project Coordinators of the other five agencies and the project Manager of the BRAC/NGO programme are the members. The leader of the technical assistance team is the secretary. Meetings are held at least once in every three months.
Total costs for the three phases of the CDSP programme amount to approximately taka 2900 Million. THE Government of Bangladesh contributed roughly 20%, while the Government of the Netherlands 80%.

WATER SOURCE STATUS & COVERAGE IN BANGLADESH-MAY'2008

Number of District : 64
Number of Upazila : 477
Projected Rural Population (2008) : 109361756
Running Water Source : 1299193
Chocked Up : 75574
Total Water Source : 1374767
Number of Contaminated (Arsenic affected) Public Tubewell : 157516
Number of safe Public Water Point (Running) : 1141827
Coverage (person per Water Source) : 96

Source: DPHE, Bangladesh

Department of Public Health Engineering

Government of Bangladesh

AT A GLANCE

Introduction

• DPHE is the lead Organization of the WSS sector under the M/O Local Government, Rural Development and Co-operatives (LG Division).
• DPHE has been working since 1936.
• Its area of jurisdiction covers the whole country except Dhaka, Chittagong & Khulna cities and Narayanganj/Kadamrasul pourashavas where WASAs operate.

Organizational Chart

Chief Engineer : 1 no
Addl. CE (Planning) : 1 no
Addl. CE (Works) : 1 no
Superintending Engineer (territorial) : 7 Nos
Superintending Engineer(HQs) :3 Nos
Executive Engineer(territorial) :64 Nos
Executive Engineer(territorial) :13 Nos
Sub-Divisional Engineer :29 Nos
Sub-Assistant Engineer at Upazila level : 476 Nos

Vision of DPHE

Provide safe Water and Sanitation services for all throughout the country.

• Achieve 100% coverage of safe Water & Sanitation services including their safe use and efficient management.
• Improve environmental sanitation status for desired development and building a healthy nation.
• Support desired development of the country through HRD of stakeholders.
• Meet the emergency needs of WSS during disasters.

Mandate / Mission of DPHE

• Responsible exclusively for provision of safe water supply and sanitation facilities throughout the country (except Dhaka, Chittagong & Khulna cities and Narayanganj & kadamrasul pourashavas where WASAs operate).
• Provide advisory services to GoB in framing policy and action plans for WSS.
• Provide support to the local govt. institutions (LGIs) in the development and O&M of Water supply & Sanitation facilities.
• Provide emergency support to restore safe water supply and sanitation facilities during & post disaster periods.
• Provide support to Pourashavas / LGIs in building capacity in WSS sector.

Mission Background

• DPHE mandate has been updated to materialize needs of water supply and sanitation sector in the light of following documents:
• National Policy for Safe Water Supply and Sanitation 1998.
• National Policy for Arsenic Mitigation 2004 and Implementation Plan for Arsenic Mitigation in Bangladesh. PRSP 2005.
• Millennium Development Goals (MDGs)
• SACOSAN Declaration 2003.
• National Sanitation Strategy 2005.
• National Water Policy 1999.
• Sector Development Programme 2005Pro-poor strategy for water supply and sanitation sector in Bangladesh 2005

Specific Objectives

• To achieve 100% safe water coverage in Upazila HQs, Growth Centres and Bazars by 2025 with piped supply.
• To achieve 100% safe water coverage in under served and un-served rural areas with point sources by 2015.
• To achieve 100% safe water coverage in City Corporation, District HQs pourashavas and other pourashavas with piped supply by the end of 2025.
• To achieve 100% onsite sanitation coverage in rural and urban areas by 2010.
• To achieve 100% sewerage coverage in city corporation areas and 50% in district HQs pourashavas by 2025.
• To achieve 100% drainage coverage in City Corporation, district HQs pourashavas, growth centres and rural bazars by 2020.
• To achieve 100% solid waste management coverage in City Corporation, district HQs pourashavas, growth centres and rural bazars by 2015.
• To institutionalise water quality monitoring and surveillance system in both urban and rural areas by 2010.
• To build awareness on environmental sanitation and personal hygiene practices.
• To institutionalise capacity building of the sector personnel and MIS for sustainable management of the facilities and resources by 2010.
• To create employment opportunity and encourage public-private partnership in WSS.
• To face natural disaster effectively and efficiently.

Present Situation:

Water Supply Coverage: Rural (June/07)

97 persons per public water point (83%)
But some gaps remain in under served, un-served, poor communities, difficult areas and Low coverage in arsenic affected, low water table and difficult areas).

Water Supply Coverage: Urban (June/07)

Pourashava & City corporation: 315
Piped Supply:100
Under Implementation: 68
Yet to undertake for piped supply:147
Coverage( towns having piped supply):31%

Sanitation (December/07):

• Coverage in rural areas is 86.23 %
• Coverage in Pourashava areas is 88.44 %
• Coverage in City Corporation areas is 84.45 %
• Average country coverage is 86.32 %
• No sewerage system exist in the country except a part of Dhaka city

Arsenic:

• 271 Upazilas identified as Arsenic prone by BGS-DPHE-GSB survey in 2002.
• About 29% tube wells in those 271 Upazials are arsenic contaminated.
• About 29 million people are exposed to arsenic contamination.q
• About 8500 villages have more than 80% arsenic contaminated tube wells.

Problems and Constraints

Water supply:

• Not enough perennial and protected surface water source.
• Surface water sources are highly polluted mainly because of industrial and agricultural pollutants.
• Contaminated surface water is difficult and expensive for treatment.
• Lack of safe aquifer in some parts of the country.
• Contamination of Ground water from arsenic, iron and salinity.
• Lowering of Water Table

Sanitation

• Urban sanitation is in acute condition with very insignificant investment.
• Hard-Core Poor have no land to build a latrine.
• Present technology for pit latrines is not suitable for high water table area.
• Pit latrines are not suitable for densely populated area.
• Densely populated area needs expensive sewer system.
• Low priority on R&D activities on sanitation.q Low Private sector investment.
• Donor assistance to urban sanitation is insignificant.

Others

• Institutional weakness in both public and private sector.
• Pourashavas are yet to be technically and financially capable for WSS management.
• Pourashavas suffer from lack of autonomy.
• Lack of adequate resources both from Govt. & Development Partners.
• Shortage of Human Resources.

How to Achieve Objectives?

a) Policy and Management Aspects

• Approval of recommended “Organizational Setup” of DPHE.
• Strengthen WSS system monitoring, surveillance and co-ordination by DPHE.
• Broaden career building opportunity for WSS Professionals.
• Switch over to the role of “Service Provider and Facilitator” form the exclusive role of “Service Provider”.
• Effective involvement of the community/LGIs in WSS management.
• More involvement of the private sector in the O&M of WSS services.
• Provide adequate autonomy to Paurashavas and City Corporations to run water supply system efficientlyq Develop formal and effective linkage between Paurashava/City Corporation and DPHE
• Upgrade Arsenic Policy and Implementation Plan 2004.
• Update Bangladesh standard for drinking water quality and introduction of water safety plans following WHO guideline 2004.
• Development of disaster management plan for WSS sector following national DMP.

b) Development Aspects

• Development of safe WSS facilities in a sustained manner to improve quality of life.
• Encourage conjunctive use of surface and ground waterq Establishment of HRD centre in DPHEq Establishment of the National WSS Information Centre in DPHE
• Establishment of water quality testing, monitoring and surveillance systems in DPHE and institutionalise Water Safety Plan.
• Adequate resource allocation from GoB in ADP/MTBF and to meet emergency needs.
• Adequate resource mobilization from other sources (ESA/ Fin. Inst. /Private entrepreneurs /operators etc

c) Strengthen R&D activities and identification of appropriate technology

• Aquifer mapping throughout the countryq Technological mapping throughout the country
• Recharging of groundwaterq Identification of surface water sources
• Conjunctive use of surface and groundwaterq Appropriate latrines for flood prone, char and haor area, and for railways and waterways.Conclusions & Recommendations
• Approval of the entire Organogram of DPHE as recommended by the M/O Establishment.
• Filling up the vacant posts of DPHE.q Institutionalize Water safety plan, HRM and Information management in DPHE.
• Preparation of master plan for water supply, drainage, sewerage and waste management (solid & liquid wastes) for all urban centers.
• Identification of area specific technology for water supply and environmental sanitation.
• Mobilize adequate recourses, both from GoB and Development Partners.Develop and strengthen effective cooperation among nation building departments/organizations & stakeholders.

Feasibility study on water supply and sanitation facilities in 148 Pourashava in Bangladesh.

Bangladesh is one of the countries with very high population densities. About 50% of the populations live below poverty level in the country. Unemployment situation in the rural areas leads on rush of the people for livelihoods towards urban centres, where they live in sub-standard situation with grossly inadequate service facilities like safe water supply, sanitation, solid waste management and drainage etc. The present water supply coverage in the urban centres is 57%.

The Government of Bangladesh has given importance to water supply and sanitation for protection of environment leading to improved health status and thus this sector has been identified as one of the eight priority agenda in the PRSP. The water supply and sanitation system in newly created Pourashava is not adequate to meet the demand. So it is required to develop the water supply and sanitation system in the Pourashava.

At present total number of Pourashava are 308 out of which 58 are district level, 217 are Upazila level and 33 are growth centre level Pourashava. Till now 93 Pourashavas have been brought under piped water supply system. Work has been going on in 67 new Pourashava and expected to be brought under piped water supply system by 2008. Government has decided to cover the remaining 148 Pourashava phase by phase by 2010. But arsenic contamination in groundwater is a serious problem and hindering the water supply system, which is mainly based on groundwater.

In Bangladesh, the existence of arsenic in ground water was identified in early 1993. But the gravity and extent of the problem was confirmed in mid 1990s. The arsenic in Bangladesh is of geologic origin in ground water. About 95% of the drinking water source is groundwater, drawn mainly from shallow hand pump tube wells. Two random surveys conducted by DPHE with the support of UNICEF & Dfid indicated that the water in about 27% to 29% of hand pump tubewells in the country are arsenic contaminated. About half of the Upazilas are facing arsenic contamination in groundwater. However, the contamination level varies from 1% to over 90%. The recent concluded screening of BAMWSP in 270 Upazilas of the country is showing a contamination level of about 30%.

It is estimated that around 30 million out of 130 million populations are drinking arsenic contaminated water (>50ppb) in absence of alternative water supply options. In this situation before taking new piped water supply project in the Pourashava having no piped water supply system the independent expert Committee formed as per decision of the National Policy on Arsenic Mitigation 2004 implementation Committee decided to undertake a study project for detailed survey and investigation. In this context it is note-worthy to mention that a meeting of the expert committee was held on 16 October 2005 in the Local Govt. Division under the chairmanship of the Secretary. Local Government Division who is the Vice-Chairman of the National Policy implementation Committee for Arsenic Mitigation. According to the decision of the independent Expert Committee the TPP of this project was formulated and approved on 4 November 2007.