Need assessment of potable water supply in Rajshahi city corporation area

Abstract

For the purpose of making an assessment of water supply in Rajshahi city area. a questionnaire survey throughout the all 30 wards was conducted by the author. The bottled water samples were collected from the community users points of every ward for laboratory test. Tests were carried out for the determination of Arsenic (As). Iron (Fe). Total dissolved solid (TDS), Total Solid (TS). Total Suspended Solid (TSS), Total Coliforn (TC) and Faecal Coliforn (FC) present in the supply water. Some secondary data regarding the population. water connections. water quality, distribution system were collected from different organizations for the study. Presence of iron in the study area is excessively high. Besides, from the questionnaire survey it was learnt that the water pressure at the users end is very low and people at the periphery of the ward get insufficient amount of water which contain substantial amount of suspended solids every now and then. Apprcciable leakage of water points were observed by the author in all the wards. Now the water supply sections of City Corporation and the DPI-IE are trying to improve the present situation of water supply system by treating the ground water and replacing thc leaky mains and also increasing the number of pumps for desired pressure at the users end. From the questionnaire survey the view of the water users is distinct that peoples (73%) is agree to pay more to enjoy a better supply systems. Peoples of different professions, different age, different race irrespective of gender interviewed in the survey work.60% people said that the water is not good for drinking that's why they use pond water for drinking. 78.66% people is not satisfied with the present water supply. Moreover the water quality test result clears the present view of Rajshahi City water supply condition. The quality of supply water should be improved as it contains objectionable amount of FC.FC were found nearly 63% of the study area. So disinfection actions should be enhanced for a potable water supply. Out of30 ward. ward nO.5, ward no. 13, ward nO.14. ward nO.17. ward no. 22 & ward nO.25 show the presence of TSS. The amount of TSS in these entire wards is higher than the allowable limit of 10 mg/1. More over among these 6 wards ward no. 14 shows 37 mgll, which is higher by 27 mg/I from allowable limit. Test results shows that the supply water of RCC is not free from arsenic contamination. The maximum level of arsenic detected in ward nO.16, which is 0.34 mg/1. From the questionnaire survey it is evident that people shows their view about the poor quality of water. Test results also ensure that the prescience of iron in ward no. 20 & 27. The values are 1.4 mg/I and 1.2 mg/l respectively. 76.66% people in the study area expressed their deep concern about the in sufficiency of water supply.