Health impact of water supply and sanitation practices in selected wards of Gazipur municipality

Abstract

This study presents an assessment of the impacts of the on-going water supply, sanitation and solid waste management activities on the health situation of the people of Gazipur pourashava, and provides some recommendations for the improvement of the health situation further. The areas of Gazipur pourashava that receive piped water supply (about 30% of pourashava area) is still facing drinking water problem. In Ward No. I and Ward No.5 of the selected 5 Wards of the pourashava, there is no piped water supply. The people of these Wards use hand tubewell water. For increasing water supply coverage, more production tube wells, over head tanks, pipe lines, etc. are required. An investigation has been made to assess the sanitation facilities within the pourashava area. The target was to identify the drawbacks, if any, and provide suggestions for improvement of the situation. The faeco-oral (waterborne) infections are of greatest public health concern. A more significant health impact might be expected from a program in which water supply is combined with health and hygiene education to ensure that the available water is fully used for hygienic purposes, and with improved excreta disposal to minimize fecal contamination. There are some dustbins in selected wards which are not sufficient. Solid waste is collected only from Ward Nos. 1,4 and 7 from dustbin. In Ward Nos. 3, 4 and 5 house to house collection of solid waste is run by pourashava and NGO BASA and Practical Action with limited coverage. About 60% of the total generated solid waste is collected and disposed off. There is a composting plant at disposal site of solid waste. The situation has improved but not up to the expectation. The people sometimes throw their wastes in to the drains, and to open places causing serious hazards. Sanitation situation of Gazipur town appears to be in acceptable condition. The eco sanitation initiative is working well in some areas. The sanitation coverage has increased about 75% before intervention to 99% after intervention. Hygiene practice was an integral part of the NGO intervention and the target was to improve the total system by increasing people's awareness through hygiene education. Investigation has been made on incidences waterborne diseases in Gazipur town as an indicator to change in health situation. Inspite of poor water supply and sanitation coverage, some improvement has been found in some pourashava areas. Full implementations of all the components and increase in water supply and sanitation coverage are expected to further improve the health situation in the Gazipur Pourashava. iii