Community-Based Approach for Mitigation of Arsenic Problems: Case Studies in West Bengal, India

Abstract

The health effects caused by widespread arsenic poisoning through drinking water in Bangladesh and neighbouring states of India, most notably West Bengal, is as catastrophic as any other natural calamity that occurred throughout the world in recent times. Since 1997, over 200 community level arsenic removal units have been installed in India by IIEST, Shibpur. Approximately 200,000 villagers collect arsenic-safe potable water from these units on a daily basis. The units use regenerable adsorbent like activated alumina. Regular maintenance and upkeep of the units are administered by the villagers through formation of villagers’ water committee. The villagers contribute towards the cost of operation through collection of a small water tariff. Upon exhaustion, the adsorbents are regenerated in a central facility by a few trained villagers. The process of regeneration reduces the volume of disposable arsenic-laden solids by nearly two orders of magnitude and allows for the reuse of the adsorbent material which is a much cheaper option. Finally, the arsenic-laden solids are contained on well-aerated coarse sand filters with minimum arsenic leaching. The treatment unit and the social institution for managing the upkeep of the units, both are instrumental for the success of the arsenic remediation program. The reason for overwhelming community participation and support was the short-term as well as long-term benefits brought to the society by the arsenic mitigation program. The technology and associated socio-economic management of the units have matured over the years, generating promise for rapid replication in other severely arsenic-affected countries in Southeast Asia.