Arsenic Mitigation Water Supply

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The Arsenic Mitigation - Water Supply Project for Bangladesh reduces mortality and morbidity in rural and urban populations caused by arsenic contamination of the country's groundwater. The project aims to significantly reduce the quantity of arsenic ingested; increase access to a sustainable safe water supply; and increase the percentage of treated arsenicosis patients in the project areas. There are three components. The first, on-site mitigation, 1) provides technical assistance, training, and logistical support to build capacity and operate the project management unit (PMU); 2) implements community interventions by developing a community-based organization capable of supplying short-term, alternative water supply/sanitation infrastructure; 3) prepares and implements a technical and financial proposal; and 4) audits, evaluates, and monitors project impact and groundwater quality. The second component strengthens the PMU's capacity to collect, manage, and evaluate data for water quality, arsenic contamination, and socioeconomic conditions; undertakes well screening and community education; and funds studies and research on participatory planning, implementing appropriate technology, cost recovery, appropriate technology for testing and treating arsenic in groundwater, and land use/arsenic interactions. The third component, institutional strengthening, builds capacity in arsenic mitigation and participatory water supply and sanitation.