Drinking Water Crisis: A Tale of Arsenic, Salt, and Scarcity

Khulna's Drinking Water Crisis: A Tale of Arsenic, Salt, and Scarcity

Residents of the Khulna district in southwestern Bangladesh are facing a severe and multifaceted drinking water crisis, primarily driven by widespread arsenic contamination and increasing salinity in water sources. This dire situation has profound impacts on the health, livelihoods, and daily lives of millions in this coastal region.

The struggle for safe drinking water is a daily reality for many, with women and children often bearing the burden of fetching water from distant, safe sources. The depletion of natural freshwater sources, the adverse effects of climate change, and the loss of freshwater reservoirs have exacerbated the shortage.

The Twin Threats: Arsenic and Salinity

Arsenic Contamination:

The issue of arsenicosis, a chronic illness caused by drinking arsenic-contaminated water, remains a significant public health concern in the Khulna district, as it does in many other parts of Bangladesh. While the user's statement highlights the critical need for regular water testing, a deeper dive into the available data reveals a more complex picture regarding the timeline of arsenic in the body, recommended testing frequencies, and the water testing habits of the local population.

Recent reports indicate a concerning prevalence of arsenic contamination in Khulna's groundwater. A 2019 report revealed that out of 59,821 tube-wells in the district, a staggering 25,693 were found to have arsenic concentrations higher than the standard set by the government of Bangladesh. This widespread contamination has led to a growing number of arsenicosis patients, with one report indicating an increase from 480 patients in 2003 to 589 in 2019.

A significant portion of the tube wells in Khulna, a primary source of drinking water, are contaminated with arsenic, a highly toxic element. This has led to a major public health crisis, with a growing number of people suffering from arsenicosis, a disease caused by long-term exposure to arsenic. Symptoms can range from skin lesions to cancer. Several upazilas, including Dumuria, Terokhada, Rupsa, Digholia, and Paikgachha, have been identified as having high levels of arsenic contamination in shallow tube wells. In response, some residents have resorted to reserving rainwater for drinking.

Salinity Intrusion: Being a coastal district, Khulna is highly susceptible to saltwater intrusion into its groundwater and surface water sources, a problem intensified by rising sea levels. This intrusion renders many rivers, ponds, and tube wells undrinkable. The issue is so severe that in some areas, the water from the majority of tube wells is not potable. Upazilas like Dacope, Koyra, Batiaghata, Dumuria, and Paikgacha are among the worst affected by salinity. The expansion of shrimp cultivation, which uses saltwater, also contributes to the contamination of freshwater reservoirs.

The Human Cost and Health Consequences

The scarcity of safe drinking water has a significant impact on the daily lives of residents. Many, particularly women, are forced to travel long distances, sometimes several kilometers, to collect potable water for their families. This not only consumes time and energy but also puts a physical and financial strain on households.

The consumption of contaminated water leads to various health problems. Beyond the well-documented cases of arsenicosis, residents also suffer from other waterborne diseases. Furthermore, high salinity in drinking water has been linked to health issues such as hypertension and cardiovascular diseases.

Efforts and Challenges in Providing Safe Water

In response to the crisis, various initiatives have been undertaken by the government and non-governmental organizations. A significant effort has been the Khulna Water Supply Project, which has aimed to provide safe, piped drinking water to a larger portion of the city's population by utilizing surface water from rivers. This project included the construction of a water treatment plant and was designed to be climate-proof by drawing water from upstream to avoid salinity.

Other interventions include:

• Deep tube wells: To access deeper, arsenic-free aquifers.
• Rainwater harvesting: Encouraged as an alternative, safe source of drinking water.
• Water treatment plants: Including reverse osmosis plants to desalinate water in salinity-hit areas.
• Pond-sand filters: A local technology to purify surface water.

Despite these efforts, challenges remain. Many government ponds, a potential source of surface water, have dried up due to a lack of re-excavation. Furthermore, many pond-sand filters have become unusable. While initiatives to supply safe water are ongoing, ensuring their long-term sustainability and reaching the most vulnerable populations remains a critical challenge. The ongoing water crisis in Khulna underscores the urgent need for comprehensive and sustainable solutions to ensure access to safe drinking water for all its residents.