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Assessment of Public Health Affected by Municipal Piped Water Supply in Old Dhaka, Bangladesh

Tanvir Hossain
Department of Environmental Science, Stamford University Bangladesh, Dhaka, Bangladesh2. Department of Geography and Environment, University of Dhaka, Dhaka, Bangladesh

Md. Tajuddin Sikder
Department of Public Health and Informatics, Jahangirnagar University, Dhaka, Bangladesh

Md. Jakariya
Department of Environmental Science and Management, North South University, Dhaka, Bangladesh

Abstract/ Executive Summary:

This study was performed to assess the local public health impacts caused from the consumption of the municipal water supply in the study area. A field survey was conducted in Bangladesh National Hospital to get a statistical overview of the water borne health hazards’ incidence rates among the dwellers of Sutrapur Thana. The study found that about 40% of all the patients in the hospital got admitted due to different types of water borne diseases. The most common water borne diseases observed were: diarrhea (about 40.7%), typhoid (about 32.3%), dysentery (about 6.6%) and hepatitis A (about 10.5%). Children were found to be the most vulnerable to these diseases. About 70% of the total water borne disease incidences was children. On the other hand, the incidence rate was highest (58.9%) in the wet season (June), whereas it was lowest (17.9%) in the dry season (January). However, when respondents from local community were asked to give their perception on the safety of the supplied water, 100% claimed that the water was unsafe for drinking purpose.

Keywords: Urban Water Supply, Environmental Health, Old Dhaka, Water Pollution, Water Borne Diseases

Location: Bangladesh National Hospital (BNH), Dhaka, Bangladesh

Start Date:

End Date:

Program Area: Crop-Soil-Water Management

Commodity: Drinking water, Health hazard, Diseases

Objectives:

To assess the local public health impacts caused from the consumption of the municipal water supply in the study area.

Methodology:

The study is an empirical research based on both primary and secondary data. A hospital survey has been conducted to comprehend the water borne disease burden of the study area in the year of 2013 by reviewing the statistical information of the prevalence of water borne disease in Bangladesh National Hospital (BNH) (Longitude 90°24'44.77", Latitude 23°42'38.74"), which is one of the oldest reputed and popular hospital in the study area. The survey also aimed to analyze the temporal and demographic variation of the disease incidence, and hence reviewed the hospital’s log book of 2013 both in adult and pediatric sections. In addition, the same survey tried to determine the mostly occurred water borne diseases in the year of 2013. Besides, a structured questionnaire survey was conducted among 50 households of the study area. Different types of books, journals, articles, newspaper, thesis, publications and electronic data sources have also been accessed for literature review.

Source of Information: International Journal of Environmental Protection and Policy, 2015; 3(2-1): 1-5 ISSN: 2330-7528 (Print); ISSN: 2330-7536 (Online)

Article Link (Online Journal): doi: 10.11648/j.ijepp.s.2015030201.11

Funding Source:

Budget:

Total Budget (Tk.) :

Achievement/Findings:

The water quality supplied by DWASA at Sutrapur Thana is highly risky for the community health of that area due to its severe bacteriological contamination. Other than public awareness, this problem should be taken into consideration by DWASA. To do this, DWASA should not solely rely upon its treatment plant’s efficiency. DWASA’s piped water supply systems are generally buried with complex reticulations which are difficult to operate and maintain. Nevertheless, these pipelines are equally important as water resource and treatment facilities to ensure the supply of safe drinking water. Continuous monitoring mechanisms should be in place in the distribution system in order to protect those facilities. The authority should also conduct regular monitoring program to prevent possible contamination of water along its distribution network by cross connections, cross contamination by leaking pipes, improper domestic storage etc. Public awareness can definitely play an important role to prevent such problems. The situation may aggravate in near future if the authority does not pay attention and take immediate actions to restore water quality in the distribution system.

Knowledge Management: Journal