Sustainability of arsenic mitigation in Bangladesh: results of a functionality survey

Arsenic contamination of shallow groundwater in Bangladesh is a major public health problem; the main response to date has been installing alternative water supplies. A survey of the functional status of a statistically representative sample of water supplies was undertaken in 2005 to assess whether these provide a sustainable water supply to arsenic-affected communities. A questionnaire was administered in communities containing a total 1060 water supplies. Eight percent of water supplies could not be located and only 64% of those located were working at the time of the survey. When weighted for the numbers of different technologies across the country, the results indicate 76% of alternative water supplies would be working. Water supplies working at the time of the survey often broke down. Community contributions were found to be important in determining whether a water supply would be functional. Recommendations are made for revisions of the current mitigation strategy.