JBS Vol 04. Num 1. 2002 - ARSENIC CONTAMINATION IN GROUND WATER IN BANGLADESH: SUPPLYING SAFE WATER WITH SPECIAL REFERENCE TO THREE VILLAGES IN MEHERPUR DISTRICT

People in Bangladesh are habituated to drinking tube well water. However, tube wells in 53 out of 64 districts
have been found to contain arsenic at a much higher level than is permissible (0.05 mg/liter) As such, about 35
million people are at risk of diseases such as melanosis, keratosis, gangrene, and cancer of the skin, lung, kidney,
bladder and liver Currently, deep tube well, rainwater harvesting, surface water purification, dug well, and
filtering of arsenic contaminated water are being considered as alternative safe drinking water options. For this
paper, we selected three badly affected villages of Meherpur district. We discuss the findings of our survey
conducted in these villages to understand the socio-economic and arsenic related situation and try to identify the
most appropriate options to address the problems