Arsenic mitigation in Bangladesh: An analysis of institutional stakeholders' opinions

• Published in: The Science of the total environment Vol. 488-489; pp. 493 - 504
• Main Authors: Khan, Nasreen Islam, Yang, Hong
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Netherlands Elsevier B.V 01-08-2014
• Subjects: Arsenic - analysis; Arsenic Mitigation; Bangladesh; Deep tubewell (DTW); Environmental Monitoring; Environmental Restoration and Remediation - methods; Groundwater - chemistry; Institutional; Stakeholder; Water Pollutants, Chemical - analysis; Water Purification - methods; Water Supply - statistics & numerical data; Willingness to pay (WTP); Willingness to walk (WTW); Bangladesh; Arsenic Mitigation; Willingness to pay (WTP); Willingness to walk (WTW); Deep tubewell (DTW); Stakeholder; Institutional
• ISSN: 0048-9697; 1879-1026
• DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2013.11.007

While Bangladesh made significant achievements in safe water coverage via installation of shallow tubewells (STWs) nationwide, this success was shattered by the discovery of arsenic (As) in the STWs. The extent and severity of As groundwater contamination throughout Bangladesh and its detrimental effects on human health are well known and demand long-term sustainable mitigation. It is an immensely complex and expensive task to bring tens of millions of arsenic exposed people under safe water coverage. While various mitigation measures have been undertaken by various organizations, most have not achieved their expected outcomes due to technical, spatial and socio-economic challenges. Better understanding of these challenges by institutional stakeholders is crucial for sustainable arsenic mitigation in Bangladesh. In this study, institutional stakeholders' opinions on various aspects of As mitigation were elicited to identify their preferences for and reservations of specific mitigation measures. The current status of As mitigation activities and the factors influencing the success of As mitigation were also explored. Institutional weakness, lack of accountability and a latency period were the major factors hindering sustainable As mitigation. The results also suggested that the stakeholders' understanding of the As problem and their preferences for the different mitigation measures have a significant impact on the effectiveness of As mitigation. Mitigation of As contamination is a complex issue that requires a coordinated effort from various levels of stakeholders. The concept of “paying for water”, which is currently potentially unknown in the rural areas of Bangladesh, also needs to be developed as this will create a stronger sense of user ownership of As safe water and thus better water management.
•As mitigation is restricted by technical, political and socio-economic factors.•Institutional weakness and lack of accountability are two major hindering factors.•Latency of As exposure decreased the urgency for action and resource allocation.•Increased awareness increased demand for Deep Tubewells and other safer options.•The “paying for water” concept needs developing for sustainable water management.