Community Water & Sanitation Program

Bangladesh is often considered as the largest delta of the world. It is also among one of the most densely populated country of the world, and at the same time one of the poorest countries. The access to safe water and the use of hygienic latrines in the rural area of Bangladesh is limited mainly because of the remoteness of the area, and poverty. Bangladesh suffers from two additional problems with their water facilities: arsenic poisoning and salination (near the coast). In the past many water wells were dug to a depth of 15 meters. Because of this many inhabitants of Bangladesh suffer from arsenic poisoning. Inhabitants drink salinated water which is unhealthy in the long run. As part of this projects Deep Tube Wells are installed (to a depth of 300 meters), which provide the local people with safe (arsenic free) drinking water.

Current status

This program has been initiated by one of our local partnerorganisations in Bangladesh. The content is based on a baseline survey held earlier this year. The project will start after we collected the needed funds.

Stichting Max invest their resources where the effect is the largest. Therefore we made a conscious choice for Bangladesh. On one hand because poverty and child mortality are big problems and on the other hand because the population density, stable social setting and soft earth make it possible to prevent much child mortality at a relative low costs on a long term basis. The use of simple/low tech Deep Tube Wells makes it possible to use only locally produced materials. Furthermore these Deep Tube Wells can be easily maintained and repaired.

- To raise community awareness level on safe drinking water, hygienic sanitation systems and personal hygiene;
- Create community demand for safe drinking water and hygienic sanitation;
- Installation of 7 deep tube wells providing 1400 people with access to safe drinking water
- Establishment of Village Sanitation center

Goals

• Access to safe drinking water for 1400 people
• Installation of latrines by local villagers
• Improved health and hygiene situation in the project area
• Reduced waterborne diseases like diarrhoea and arsenicosis

The project was initiated and will be carried out by a local partner organisation (NGO) in Bangladesh. All materials used in this project will be produced locally.

To make sure the project will be sustainable the following aspects are included:
- In order to involve the local community in the project 200 signatures and €100 need to be collected before a deep tube well will be dug. It is also obligatory to attend an educational meeting and a maintenance committee is established that is responsible for the functioning of the water well.
- Before installation of the deep tube well and/or latrine local people have to attend a meeting on hygiene.
- Latrines are not provided free of costs (ownership is key in this process). The project foresees in the establishment of a Village Sanitation Center where village people can buy a latrine.