A platform for research: civil engineering, architecture and urbanism
A platform for research: civil engineering, architecture and urbanism
An assessment of fecal contamination of groundwater in Bangladesh
Groundwater is perceived as being less vulnerable to microbiological contamination than surface water, given the natural filtering ability of the subsurface. But several recent studies have reported fecal contamination in shallow groundwater of many regions of Bangladesh and several other countries. Leaching from latrine pits and soakage wells is considered the primary source of fecal contamination of shallow groundwater in Bangladesh. Bangladesh is already suffering from widespread arsenic contamination of groundwater; fecal contamination together with arsenic contamination of groundwater is alarming because shallow/hand tube wells constitute the backbone of rural water supply in Bangladesh. However, there is no comprehensive study on the distribution of fecal contamination of groundwater in the country. This study focuses on assessing fecal contamination in the groundwater of Bangladesh based on an in-depth analysis of available data. Data on concentrations of fecal coliform (FC)/E. Coli and arsenic were collected from the multiple indicator cluster surveys (MICS) conducted by BBS and UNICEF and other secondary sources. The collected data on fecal contamination and arsenic were sorted, categorized into different risk categories, and analyzed in a GIS framework. Maps were then produced in the GIS framework where regions at higher risk from the individual and combined presence of FC and arsenic were identified. Based on the analysis of available FC and arsenic concentration data (for the years 2013 and 2019) in the groundwater of Bangladesh, it appears that the presence of FC is widespread in groundwater. In the districts of Rajshahi, Rangpur, and Barishal divisions, higher percentages of wells have lower levels of FC contamination. For example, high percentage of wells in Patuakhali (96%), Bhola (95%), and Barishal (92%) districts were in the “no risk” category in 2019. On the other hand, a significant fraction of wells have higher FC concentrations in the districts of Sylhet, Comilla, and Chattogram divisions. For example, Rangamati (22%) and Noakhali (21%) districts had a high percentage of wells belonging to the "Very High Risk" category in 2019. It was also found that several districts from Sylhet and Comilla regions are at higher risks from the combined presence of FC and arsenic. In contrast, most districts in the Rangpur, Rajshahi, and Barishal regions are at lower risk from the combined presence of FC and arsenic. Fecal contamination of groundwater at the source and the household level was also analyzed in this study. FC concentrations at the household level are significantly higher than FC concentrations at the source water. The mean FC at the household level was much higher than the mean FC at the source water. Expect for Rangamati, the mean FC concentrations at the household level are higher than that at the source by a factor varying from 1.25 (Gazipur) to 66.3 (Bhola). This finding signifies the role of handling and hygiene practices in keeping water safe. This research highlights the risks associated with fecal contamination in groundwater in the different regions of the country and the urgent need to address this issue.
An assessment of fecal contamination of groundwater in Bangladesh
Groundwater is perceived as being less vulnerable to microbiological contamination than surface water, given the natural filtering ability of the subsurface. But several recent studies have reported fecal contamination in shallow groundwater of many regions of Bangladesh and several other countries. Leaching from latrine pits and soakage wells is considered the primary source of fecal contamination of shallow groundwater in Bangladesh. Bangladesh is already suffering from widespread arsenic contamination of groundwater; fecal contamination together with arsenic contamination of groundwater is alarming because shallow/hand tube wells constitute the backbone of rural water supply in Bangladesh. However, there is no comprehensive study on the distribution of fecal contamination of groundwater in the country. This study focuses on assessing fecal contamination in the groundwater of Bangladesh based on an in-depth analysis of available data. Data on concentrations of fecal coliform (FC)/E. Coli and arsenic were collected from the multiple indicator cluster surveys (MICS) conducted by BBS and UNICEF and other secondary sources. The collected data on fecal contamination and arsenic were sorted, categorized into different risk categories, and analyzed in a GIS framework. Maps were then produced in the GIS framework where regions at higher risk from the individual and combined presence of FC and arsenic were identified. Based on the analysis of available FC and arsenic concentration data (for the years 2013 and 2019) in the groundwater of Bangladesh, it appears that the presence of FC is widespread in groundwater. In the districts of Rajshahi, Rangpur, and Barishal divisions, higher percentages of wells have lower levels of FC contamination. For example, high percentage of wells in Patuakhali (96%), Bhola (95%), and Barishal (92%) districts were in the “no risk” category in 2019. On the other hand, a significant fraction of wells have higher FC concentrations in the districts of Sylhet, Comilla, and Chattogram divisions. For example, Rangamati (22%) and Noakhali (21%) districts had a high percentage of wells belonging to the "Very High Risk" category in 2019. It was also found that several districts from Sylhet and Comilla regions are at higher risks from the combined presence of FC and arsenic. In contrast, most districts in the Rangpur, Rajshahi, and Barishal regions are at lower risk from the combined presence of FC and arsenic. Fecal contamination of groundwater at the source and the household level was also analyzed in this study. FC concentrations at the household level are significantly higher than FC concentrations at the source water. The mean FC at the household level was much higher than the mean FC at the source water. Expect for Rangamati, the mean FC concentrations at the household level are higher than that at the source by a factor varying from 1.25 (Gazipur) to 66.3 (Bhola). This finding signifies the role of handling and hygiene practices in keeping water safe. This research highlights the risks associated with fecal contamination in groundwater in the different regions of the country and the urgent need to address this issue.
An assessment of fecal contamination of groundwater in Bangladesh
Hossain, Md. Mahjib (author) / Ahmed, Alauddin (author) / Ashraf Ali, Muhammad (author) / Ali, Md. Shahjahan (editor) / Mohiuddin, Kazi ABM (editor) / Islam, Md. Rafizul (editor) / Hasan, Mehedi (editor)
6TH INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE ON CIVIL ENGINEERING FOR SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT (ICCESD 2022) ; 2022 ; Khulna, Bangladesh
AIP Conference Proceedings ; 2713
2023-04-28
10 pages
Conference paper
Electronic Resource
English
Arsenic contamination of groundwater in Bangladesh
| British Library Conference Proceedings | 1998
Extent and Severity of Groundwater Arsenic Contamination in Bangladesh
| Online Contents | 2001
Extent and Severity of Groundwater Arsenic Contamination in Bangladesh
| Taylor & Francis Verlag | 2001