Government of Bangladesh Local Government Division, Policy...

Government of Bangladesh Local Government Division, Policy Support Unit

SectorDevelopmentPlan(FY2011‐25)

WaterSupplyandSanitationSectorinBangladesh

WORKING DOCUMENT NUMBER 1 Field Consultation on Community Problems and Solutions Related to Water Supply and Sanitation Services

Prepared by

DevCon

July 2009

The working documents were used as background materials for preparing the Sector

Development Plan (SDP). The factual information and views expressed in the working

documents are of the authors and does not necessarily of the Policy Support Unit or of the

agencies that the authors belong to.

GOB-Danida WSS Sector Policy Support Unit (PSU), Local Government Division

DevCon-BETS JV | Field Consultation Report for the Revised WSS SDP of Bangladesh 2

TABLE OF CONTENTS List of Acronyms 3

1 Background

5

2 Objectives

5

3 Planning and Implementation of Field Consultation

6

4 Consultation Methodologies and Target Participants

7

5 Field Consultation Outcomes

9

5.1 Chittagong Hill Tracts (CHT) region 10 5.2 Haor and flood-plain region 12 5.3 Poverty and drought prone region 16 5.4 Coastal-belt region 19 5.5 Urban Low Income Communities (slums and fringes) 21 5.6 Medium and Small Municipalities 25 5.7 Large Cities and Municipalities

31

6 Outcomes of Other Stakeholder Consultation

36

7 Key Issues related to Water Supply and Sanitation

39

8 Annexes

48

8.1 Workshop participants 48 8.2 List of persons met during field consultation 50



LIST OF ACRONYMS ADB : Asian Development Bank ADP : Annual Development Programme BCC : Barisal City Corporation BETS : BETS Consulting Services Ltd. BOT : Build Operate and Transfer BRAC : Bangladesh Rural Advancement Committee (a National NGO) CC : City Corporation CE : Chief Engineer CHT : Chittagong Hill Tract CHT-DB : Chittagong Hill Tracts Development Board CWASA : Chittagong Water Supply and Sewerage Authority Danida : Danish International Development Agency DC : Deputy Commissioner DevCon : DevConsultants Limited DPHE : Department of Public Health Engineering DSK : Dustha Shasthya Kendra (a National NGO) DTW : Deep Tube Well DWASA : Dhaka Water supply and Sewerage Authority FGD : Focus Group Discussion GFS : Gravity Fed System GOB : Government of Bangladesh HDC : Hill District Council HHs : Households HQ : Head Quarters JICA : Japan International Cooperation Agency KII : Key Informant Interview LGD : Local Government Division LGED : Local Government Engineering Department LGIs : Local Government Institutions LWT : Low Water Table MDG : Millennium Development Goal MoH : Ministry of Health MoLGRD&C : Ministry of Local Government Rural Development and Cooperatives MP : Member of Parliament NGO : Non-Government Organization O&M : Operation and Maintenance PSF : Pond Sand Filter PSU : Policy Support Unit R&D : Research and Development RC : Regional Council RCC : Rajshahi City Corporation RPWS : Rural Piped Water System RWHS : Rain Water Harvesting System



SAE

:

Sub-Assistant Engineer

SDP : Sector Development Programme SE : Superintending Engineer SGD : Small Group Discussion SWAp : Sector Wide Approach TW : Tubewell UNO : Upazila Nirbahi Officer UP : Union Parishad UZ : Upazila UZP : Upazila Parishad WASA : Water Supply and Sewerage Authority WHO : World Health Organization WSS : Water Supply and Sanitation WSSPS : Water Supply and Sanitation Sector Support XEN : Executive Engineer



Field Consultation on Community problems and solutions related to WSS Services for Review and Revision of WSS Sector Development Programme 1. Background The Sector Development Programme (SDP) for Water and Sanitation Sector of Bangladesh was prepared in 2005, and approved by the government in 2006. Detailed sector development strategies and work plans for a period of 10 years (2005-2010) was formulated in the SDP. It also outlined the sector targets of coverage and service levels, roles of sector partners including the government, non-government agencies and external support agencies, required institutional reforms and the investment required. The SDP was prepared through a consultative process with the sector stakeholders. However, at the later stage it was considered inadequate in terms of full participation of service users and providers both from the rural and urban areas. Besides, there were some other observations from the government and donor agencies on the SDP. These observations included: 1) creating a balance between sector requirements and financing availability, 2) harmonization of donor strategies and government policies, 3) needing a special focus on CHT, and 4) adopting Sector Wide Approach (SWAp) for water and sanitation sector. Thus, the government felt it necessary to review and revise the existing SDP. The initiative for review and revision of the SDP was highly focused on the participation of the sector stakeholders including service providers and users. As part of that strategy separate consultation plans were formulated for the central, regional and remote areas. That was done to pick-up representative scenario of the existing water supply and sanitation sector of the country and to find ways to address the problems and potentials of the sector as per stakeholders’/users’ views and prevalence. This report is prepared on the basis of the field consultation done in the regional and remote areas including the urban low income communities. In addition, an effort was made to characterize the problems and potentials of each region, and to draw suggestions on how these could meaningfully fit into the revised SDP. This has been also targeted to cater popular ways and means for achieving government targets of 100% safe water supply and 100% sanitation by 2011 and 2013 respectively, as the user communities (from both of rural and urban areas) would have to play vital roles in that process. 2. Objectives The general objective of the field consultation was to ensure wider stakeholder participation in the SDP review and revision process, and thereafter, to deepen the outreach



of the participants’ views and opinions to address the problems and potentials of water supply and sanitation services in the country. The specific objectives were to:

- Inform the government policies, targets and initiatives for WSS sector development - Involve regional and local level service providers and users in the process of review

and revision of the SDP - Get an overview of the sector status and challenges (region wise) giving focus on

the poor and underserved communities - Gather views and preferences of the service users to address the sector challenges - Cater various dimensions (i.e. gender, poverty, human rights) of WSS services and

facilities, so as to address them in an equitable manner, and - Explore areas of service on which future investment requirements need to be

focused 3. Planning and Implementation of Field Consultation Planning for field consultation was jointly done by the Consultants and the Policy Support Unit (PSU), the Client. First, the objectives of the field consultation were agreed by both the parties and it was also agreed that the PSU would extend additional financial and technical support for carrying out the field consultation. A detailed implementation plan for field consultation was formulated by the Consultant and discussed with PSU. As part of the plan, the whole country was divided into major four hydro-geological regions, and those were:

A. Chittagong Hill Tracts (CHT) B. Haor/Flood-plains C. Coastal-belt D. Poverty and drought prone (low water table) areas

Keeping the geographical divisions of the country on target, different levels of participants were targeted to consult through participatory approaches and methods. Following were the participants’ levels for the field consultations in each region:

- Community level users (e.g. poor, hardcore poor, underserved) - Union Parishad Chairmen and Members (both male and female) - Upazila Parishad (Chairmen, Vice Chairmen, DPHE staff) - Local administration (e.g. UNO) - Small and Medium Pourashavas (Kawkhali, Nalchity, Mohonganj, Godagari) - Large Pourashavas (Mymensign, Bandarban, Natore)



- City Corporations (Rajshahi and Barisal) - WASAs (Chittagong and Dhaka) - Local NGOs working in WSS sector - Civil society members

In order to carry out the field consultation in an effective manner, the whole works were also sub-divided by the Consultants. The higher level consultation (i.e. with City Corporation, Pourashavas, WASAs, UZ, UPs, NGOs and Civil Societies) was done by the group of Senior Consultants; while consultation with the community level service users were done by groups of qualified Field Facilitators being trained and deployed by the core Consultants. 4. Consultation Methodologies and Target Participants Participatory approaches and methodologies were adopted for field consultation. The entire consultations were grossly covered by:

a) Regional Consultative Workshops b) Key Informant Interviews (KII) and Small group discussions c) Focus Group Discussion, and d) Physical Observations

A detailed outline including guiding checklists for individual discussion sessions were prepared and used for the consultation methodologies. Category wise targeted participants were gradually covered by the above mentioned methods. Following is the brief of each method used and the coverage of target participants. Regional Workshops: Participants and selective representatives from the Local Government Institutions (i.e. Upazila and Union Parishad) (RC and HDCs are in case of CHT), local administrative officers (i.e. UNO), line departments (i.e. DPHE), local NGOs and the civil societies were consulted through Regional Workshops. The workshops were organized and facilitated in formal and structured ways. The participants were oriented with the SDP background, sector updates and the process of review and revision of the SDP. Subsequently they were comprehensively discussed and consulted on their local problems and potentials related to water supply and sanitation services with an aim to draw their recommendations for further improvements and sustainability. KII and Small Group Discussion: Most Pourashavas (small, medium and large) with few exception (attended in the Regional Workshops), WASAs, City Corporations were consulted through KII and Small Group Discussions (SGD). High level discussions were done with them to determine the prospects and scope of improvements in the urban water supply and sanitation along with the possible investment scenario and its future requirements.



Focus Group Discussion (FGD): Used for consultation with the community level service users in all targeted regions. The key focus of the FGDs was to assess the problems and needs of the rural and peri-urban poor, hardcore and underserved people. Additionally, the various dimensions and aspects (i.e. gender, poverty and human rights) of WSS services and facilities in the rural context were discussed and drawn through FGDs. Physical Observation: In application of various methods, especially while visiting rural and urban sites, physical observation was used by the core consultants to cross-check and to verify the discussion outcomes from the groups and the key informants. Several photographic shots of the community sites, water supply and sanitation facilities/installations along with the users were taken during physical observation. Sample Selection Purposive random sampling techniques were used for sample selection for field consultation. The key purpose of the sampling was to draw lessons from the focused areas and participants, where people mostly remain vulnerable and at risk to the basic WSS services. These vulnerability and risks were considered from socio-economic, cultural and institutional point of views. Therefore, the objective was set out of fulfilling the gaps in providing coverage and service levels as quickly as possible. Table 1: Covered areas and participants by the field consultation Regions Participants type and location Method No. of Participants

Male Female Total CHT Bandarban Pourashava (Chairman) SGD, KII 1 0 1

Hill District Council, Bandarban 6 0 6 UZ, UNO & UP representatives from Kawkhali Upazila RC, HDC, NGOs, Rangamati Pourashava

Workshop 32 7 39

Rural Community, Khagrachari FGD 12 6 18 Chittagong City Chairman, Chief Engineer, others of C-

WASA SGD 5 0 5

Haor/ Flood-plain

UPs, UZ, Pourashava, NGOs, Civil Society, Mohonganj, Netrokona

Workshop 76 5 81

Mymensingh Pourashava SGD, KII 4 0 4 Rural community of Khaliajuri, Mohonganj Upazila, Netrokona

FGD 27 66 93

Poverty zone Rural community of Lalmonirhat and Kurigram Sadar Upazila

FGD 32 65 97

LWT/ drought prone

UP and UZ members, Chapai Nawabganj

SGD, KII 42 71 113



Rajshahi CC, Natore Pourashava KII 02 08 10 Coastal-belt Rural community of Barguna and

Patuakhali (Amtoli and Kolapara UZs) FGD 38 57 95

Nalchity Pourashava, Jhalokathi KII 01 05 06 Barisal City Corporation SGD, KII 00 04 04

DMA Dhaka Low Income Community FGD 15 22 37 Narayanganj fringes FGD 19 29 48

Total 312 345 657 Among all participants 6 UP Chairmen, 16 UP Male and 19 Female Members took part in the regional workshops. Local Member of Parliament (MP) Begum Rebeka Momin was present in the Regional Workshop in Mohonganj under Netrokona district as Chief Guest. Besides, Upazila Chairmen and Upazila Nirbahi Officers from Mohonganj and Khaliajuri Upazilas were present as Special Guests, while the discussion session was chaired by Superintending Engineer of DPHE Dhaka Circle. In carrying out the field consultation in the CHT region, special focus was given to consult with and to obtain suggestions from the Hill District Councils (HDCs) and CHT Regional Council as they are mandated for local development including water supply and sanitation. The Chairman of CHT Regional Council Mr. Jotyrindra Bodhipriya Larma along with the senior representatives from the CHT Development Board (CHT-DB) and Rangamati Hill District Council were present in the CHT Regional Workshop. In the coastal-belt region, only FGDs and physical observation were conducted with the targeted rural communities. Organization of regional workshop in this area was skipped as because a similar workshop was conducted during February 2009 as part of Danida assisted Climate Change Mission for WSSPS-II. The WSS scenario and the related lessons learnt from the coastal-belt region were referred to that workshop outcome. Field consultation with the urban low income communities (i.e. slums and fringes) were done only in Dhaka City and Narayanganj. In addition, secondary sources1

were consulted to get an overview of WSS situation in the urban slums of different areas of the country.

5. Field Consultation Outcomes The field consultation outcomes are analyzed and presented in the separate sub-sections as those were organized in the different regions. Other specific outcomes from the consultation with the urban low income communities, Pourashavas and WASAs are presented following the regional consultation outcomes, which are as follows: 1 Mapping and Census of Urban Slums in Bangladesh by Center for Urban Studies (CUS), 2005



5.1 Chittagong Hill Tracts (CHT) region The geographical, demographic and hydro-geological patterns and characteristics of Chittagong Hill Tracts (CHTs) are different from other regions of the country. The most rural people of the three CHT districts and their 26 Upazilas are of ethnic minorities, and they are greatly dependent on natural water (i.e. from river, earth-well/chhara, spring and canal) sources for their livelihood purposes. Technologies for safe drinking water for this region are also unavailable. Technically suitable water supply options are costly, and therefore, unaffordable for them. There are few exceptions found in the communities where NGO interventions are in operation. Moreover, the (patterns and extent of) needs for sanitation of the hilly people are not clear yet. Open defecation and the use of unhygienic latrines is a common picture here, which indicates local people inhabiting with the ignorance of about the use of sanitary latrines and behaving hygiene practices for better health and their overall well-being. Water supply Secondary sources2

say that the coverage of safe water supply in CHT districts of Rangamati, Bandarban and Khagrachari are about 40%, 58% and 59% respectively. An average of 60% community people in the CHT areas have access to safe water, which abnormally reduces to only about 4% in the dry season. About 5% households have their own tubewells, while other people are used to share and collect water from different natural sources. More than 50% people have to walk far away from their households and to go down to the hills to collect water; and it is generally risky for them as because of its hilly terrain.

Water supply coverage in the urban areas of CHT is about 40%. Ground (e.g. tubewell, ring well) and surface water (e.g. gravity fed system, spring, canal or chhara and rivers) are the major sources of water supply. But ground water is not available in most part of the towns, throughout the year. Different technologies are feasible for different areas. Traditional water supply technologies such as tubewells, ring wells are not workable in all places,

while gravity fed system and spring development water supply systems are workable and preferred by local people. 2 Study on Sanitation and Hygiene in CHT by NGO Forum, May 2008; and Statistical Pocket Book 2007



Sanitation In general, coverage of latrines in the CHT districts is about 79%, of which only 17% are

in the sanitary condition. Open places are used for defecation by other people. Lack of awareness and poor economic status of the rural communities are reported as the main causes of low sanitation coverage. Severe scarcity of water is another reason for that. In addition, quality latrine products are unavailable there and difficult communication across the CHT causing high cost for transportation of latrine materials. All these reasons are considered major constraints of

extended sanitation coverage in the CHT, particularly in the rural areas. The present sanitation status in the urban areas is not satisfactory. No sewer system in the Pourashava areas. Only about 50% households have latrines, while others use various types of unhygienic defecation points e.g. pits, drains. Public toilets are needed in towns; whereas community latrines are feasible for the communities (particularly where there are cluster based families/societies).

Hygiene practices

The coverage of hygiene practices in the CHT areas is worst among others. In general, it is hardly about 10-15% (defined by hand washing before meal and after defecation). About 45% people use safe water for drinking and cooking purposes. The rate of proper latrine maintenance is about 20%, while rest latrines are remained unhygienic. There is visible shortage and lack of initiatives for hygiene promotion either from the government or from NGO

sides. This situation must be improved considering the prevailing differences in culture, socio-economic and political status of the CHT communities. Institutional set-up The institutional set-up for planning and carrying out the development activities in CHT is different than rest of the country. In CHT, the Regional Council was established according to the provision of the CHT Peace Accord 1997 signed between Bangladesh Government and the rebelling Parbattya Chattagram Jano-Songhoti Samitee. Hill District



Councils (HDCs) were established in each of the three CHT districts, who operates local development in parallel with the central government wings (i.e. DCs) and traditional local government system (e.g. UPs, UZ, Pourashavas). The CHT communities are divided in to three main circles and governed by their own indigenous local governance system (i.e. Headman, Karbari under the 3 Tribal Kingships such as Chakma, Bomang and Moung), and this system is officially recognized by the Government.

Department of Public Health Engineering (DPHE) is the lead government agency to undertake all the related activities for water supply and sanitation under the Ministry of Local Government. This responsibility of DPHE is applicable for the whole country other than CHT. Here DPHE works under direct management and guidance of the HDCs as transferred subject. In view of this the HDCs are solely responsible for water supply and sanitation in the CHT region, which operates under the Ministry of CHT Affairs. Thus, the issues related to the provision of water and sanitation services alongside their institutional aspects come out to be strongly focused in the revised Sector Development Programme for the WSS Sector of Bangladesh.

5.2 Haor and flood-plain regions

The haor and flood-plain areas (e.g. Netrokona, Sunamganj, Kishoreganj) of Bangladesh is commonly known to the agencies and development partners involved in the WSS sector as of underserved and technically difficult-to-serve areas. These areas are characterized and heavily affected by frequent flooding, infrastructural backwardness and chronic poverty due to lack of employment opportunity. Involvement of NGOs in the WSS service delivery to the local communities is insignificant; while government facilities and services cannot reach timely and sufficiently to the demanding people of the region due to transportation and communication difficulties.

The areas are mainly low lying and remain inundated almost three-fourth of the year. This has fortunately offered local people for fishing opportunities but on the other side people

suffer from many problems like poorly accessing to safe water, sanitation and health care services. Communication infrastructures (i.e. rural roads) of the areas are very worse and vulnerable to flooding and inundation, and this causes serious problems for water transportation of the local communities. This also contributes largely to the very poor access to improved sanitation as well as accessing and sharing necessary information related to hygiene



practices through isolating communities from each other.

A total of 7 villages and inhabiting communities covering two Upazilas (e.g. Mohonganj and Khaliajuri which is adjacent to Sunamganj) of Netrokona district was selected, and among them only remote and hardcore poor people were targeted for consultation. As such, following table (Table 2) presents the overall WSS scenario of the region representing the status and opinions of the hardcore poor and most disadvantaged people; and probably giving an indication of the present status of the adjacent communities including better-off segments. However, the presented WSS scenario should not be treated as representative to the areas as a whole; rather these are far more indicative to be used for further planning and development. Table 2: An overview of WSS coverage and service level in the haor and flood-plain areas

Village HHs Populatio

n Access to safe Water

Supply Access to sanitation Hygiene

practices in HHs

% Total TW (*)

Access %

Total latrine

Sanitary latrine

Access %

Tetulia 900 5,450 90 (15) 69% 100 7 1% 5% Kolapara 950 5,320 50 (12) 36% 25 2 1% 1-2% Chanpur 200 1,480 15 (3) 41% 8 2 1% 1-2% Mandarbari 600 3,120 47 (10) 59% 17 10 1% 1-2% Banuari 80 437 5 (0) 57% 15 8 3% 1-2% Satgaon 550 3,300 14 (7) 11% 150 15 10% 2-3% Balarampur 150 800 98 (60) 100% 70 1 1% 5-10% Average 3,430 19,907 319 (107) 53%** 385 45 2.5% 2-3%

**Access to safe WS is calculated based on 50 people per functional and arsenic free TW *Bracketed figures indicate the number of arsenic contaminated tubewells, but the concentration level could not be ascertained

The component specific present WSS service coverage and levels in the haor and flood-plain areas of Bangladesh is narrated below.

Water supply Major source of safe drinking water in this region is hand-pump tubewell. Besides, many other sources such as haor, pond, and dug-wells were found being used by at least half of the poor communities for drinking purpose. For cooking foods most (reportedly about 90%) people use water from unsafe sources such as pond, ditch/haor, etc. Only 319 tubewells were being used by about 20,000 people in the surveyed areas, of which 49 (15%) tubewells were obtained from the public sources. That indicates a ratio between tubewell and population is 1:62 which may be looking adequate in numbers but considering the local context (i.e. worse communication infrastructure, long physical



distance from household to sources and difficult transportation facilities) it is quite inadequate to ensure access to them, as witnessed. About 34% (i.e. 107 Nos.) tubewells were reportedly arsenic contaminated, and most importantly those contaminated sources were also used for drinking and cooking purposes. The overall access of the hardcore poor people to tubewells was found about 53% which varies at large from village to village. As reported, the cost of tubewell installation in the areas is not too high (ranging from TK 6,000 to 8,000) due to its upper aquifer level, but from economic point of views these are not affordable to the hardcore poor. The prevalence of water-borne diseases among the surveyed communities was found very high and this was reportedly due to lack of accessing safe drinking and cooking

water. The hardcore poor people are likely to be more vulnerable to this worse situation, in particular; while they have very limited access to government-led health care facilities and services available at Upazila level.

Sanitation In the surveyed areas, community access to sanitation facilities is far more alarming

compared to the water supply services they can access. This has been concluded from the data obtained through FGDs with the local people that there are only 385 latrines (of various types) among 3,430 households (1 latrine per 9 households). Among 385 latrines, as defined by the respondents, only 45 latrines are in sanitary3

condition (and well maintained) in the surveyed villages. This indicates that only 2-3% of the households have access to

sanitary latrines in the areas, and even in the most cases (i.e. villages) this coverage is remained below 1 percent.

3 Sanitary latrine is defined as latrines with clean appearance of slabs, constructed by ring-slabs or pit-slabs and with intact water seals ( quality of latrine super-structures were not necessarily discussed and defined, as it can be of any kind)



The FGD sessions were used to vigorously review and identify the reasons for such a low coverage of sanitary latrines in the region. As such, it was reported that:

- People in general are unaware of the importance of using sanitary latrines for its

health consequences and benefits

- The latrine materials (e.g. slab, ring) are not locally available, and in views of the most participants those are costly for them (as interested people have to carry latrine materials from long distance such as from Upazilas, and often transportation of materials costs high and materials are broken during transportation)

- The latrines installed do not sustain for more than one year (due to low lying

area and being flooded every year latrines are destroyed) and as a result people need to install such latrines every year, which is not possible for the poor

- Erosion of household soils by flood water and heavy waves during monsoon is a

common phenomenon in the region. This is a matter of priority – rebuilding houses versus latrine reconstruction, to which people should concentrate

From this analysis, it is appeared that technological solution for sustainable sanitary latrines and services particularly for this region has yet to be in place. Therefore, the issue of community awareness and motivation for accepting and using such technically suitable latrines need to be addressed. It was opined by the community people that only the government have adequate resources and can solve this problem, besides poor communities should have more employment and income opportunities to enable themselves affording better sanitation services.

Hygiene practices Findings related to hygiene practices among the communities are found having relevance with the low water supply and sanitation coverage. The term ‘hygiene practice’ was clarified to the participants as that covers:

- Washing hands with tubewell water and soap before handling (i.e. eating,

serving)foods - Washing hands with water and soap or ash after latrine use/defecation - Keeping latrines clean and well maintained - Dispose of child excreta to a fixed place or in to latrines - Use of tubewell water for cooking (i.e. rice, vegetables, utensils) - Keeping foods and water pots (i.e. in-house storage reservoirs such as pitcher,

jug) always covered and safe from external pollutants



As found the overall situation related to hygiene practices among the communities in haor and flood-plain areas is worst, and this led communities towards ill-health in general and compels them to carry on health related burdens. As opined by the participants, there are only few villages where hardly 5-10% households practice hygiene behaviors. In most villages this percentage is about 1-2% as because people in general are unaware of the

health consequences. These areas are comparatively less intervened by NGO programmes may be due to its hard-to-reach characteristic, while NGO interventions impacted significantly on hygiene awareness in other parts of the country. The lagged-behind hygiene situation of the region has compounded with the effects of low income and information educational backwardness of the local communities, which is demanding immediate attention to and socio-

technical solution of the deeply rooted problems.

Institutional set-up for WSS service delivery The system for water supply and sanitation service delivery in the region is as usual for the country. The local communities are provided with some hardware (i.e. tubewells and ring-slab latrines) supports by the local government institutions (e.g. Upazila, UPs) and DPHE as per government provision. No such additional supports for promotional activities are provided by government or by NGOs in the region.

5.3 Poverty and drought prone region The northwestern districts of Bangladesh are more prone to seasonal unemployment and poverty comparing to the other regions. As such, these areas were focused in the entire field consultation processes. About 10 villages under Lalmonirhat and Kurigram districts were surveyed and the village communities were consulted on their WSS status and future potentials for improved facilities and services. Following is a brief of the consultation outcomes: Water supply Although the quality could not be ascertained, the water supply coverage in general was found very much progressive in the region. There were about 557 hand-pump tubewells being used in about 2,115 surveyed households, which provide an average ratio of tubewell and household as 1:4. Among all these tubewells about 90% are privately owned and rest (10%) tubewells are provided by the government agencies and NGOs.



Most private tubewells are low-cost (of Taka 500-800 and those are locally called ‘magic

tubewell’) and installed at 20-25 feet depth. Either 1 inch steel pipe or bamboo pipes are used for the wells in these low-cost tubewells with a shorter sized TW head. The TW handles are not of traditional (steel) materials rather in most cases those are made of bamboo. The tubewells obtained from public sources are of traditional quality; where these are installed with PVC pipes at 100-120 feet depth with a normal size pump-head. These tubewells cost around 10-12 thousand for its complete installation. The water quality of the tubewells could not be ensured, however, users said that there is arsenic problem in some tubewells. While most tubewells have severe iron concentration and as a result those produce bad-smell and fed color in water, as reported. More importantly, almost 100% private

tubewells do not have platforms, which may cause bacterial contamination in tubewell water in the region at large. The areas are usually of high water table but during winter

most low-cost tubewells cannot extract sufficient water due to depletion of water table below 25-30 feet. For that time, people have to fetch drinking water from even long distance. Another significant situation is that most people of these areas use tubewell water for drinking and cooking purposes. Water from other sources such as pond, river, khal/ditch is used for bathing,

washing and other domestic purposes. As reported, communities are often affected by water-borne diseases (e.g. diarrhea, dysentery, worm and scabies) and that are assumed to be happened due to poor water quality and lack of hygiene practices. Sanitation Among surveyed households (2,115) there were about 1,500 latrines being used by the communities. This indicates good coverage (about 80%) of latrines in the area, but among those only about 200 latrines were of sanitary condition. Considering that coverage of



sanitary latrines in the areas stands at only 10-11%. The rest are mainly hanging and open-bottom latrines constructed nearby water bodies or at roadsides. Along with many adult, most children are used to defecate in open places causing environmental pollution to the remarkable extent. The extension of sanitation coverage is visibly constrained by the economic inability of the

local communities, the poor and hardcore poor in particular. This has been reported that people in general cannot afford latrines (a set of 2-3 rings and a concrete slab) when it costs about Taka 500-700. Many NGOs are working in the region, of whom quite a few NGOs are working particularly in the WSS sector. As part the NGO programme community awareness building and sanitation campaign activities are being undertaken, but people in

general are not yet receptive to the messages provided by the NGOs. Still the local communities have focused on their primary needs such as employments, income generation and shelters but not on the use of safe water and sanitation despite being adversely affected. This has resulted in low coverage of sanitary latrines and the proper use of latrines by local people. Hygiene practices Similar interpretation of hygiene practices was used in the drought and poverty prone regions to assess the present situation. As found, the overall situation related to hygiene practices is almost similar to the haor and flood-plains. Priorities of local people are on the

livelihood restoration, they have in fact a little time to look in to the matters related to health and hygiene. As reported earlier, most people used tubewell water for drinking and cooking purposes but they are not sure about the quality of water. Existing prevalence of water-borne diseases indicates that quality of water is not out of question. There are very few people/households who are aware of hand washing specially



before handling meals; while about 20-25% people wash their hands after defecation by water and soil. There would be hardly 1-2% of people who are used to wash their hands by water and soap after defecation and before taking meals. The rate of child excreta disposal to a safe place was reportedly about 1%, and latrines are kept cleaned and well maintained hardly by 5% households. Household water storage reservoirs and foods are often kept covered by the people, and this has been done specially during the spring and winter to prevent flies. It was importantly found that many people can explain the reasons for what they should maintain hygiene, but in practice it was too neglected. As clarified, people are progressively being aware of the health issues but still have to be economically capable of affording those services. It is the matter of time when people would start practicing hygiene behavior if their livelihood is secured, as added by the respondents. Institutional set-up for service delivery Similar set-up is established and in operation for the region as it is for other regions of the country except CHTs. The government line department (i.e. DPHE), local government institutions (LGIs) and NGOs are the main service providers. Apart from this, private sector is engaged in the local markets to sell out hardware materials of tubewells and sanitary latrines, though after sales services are not ensured. 5.4 Coastal-belt region

Situation assessed during November 2008

The coverage and level of services related to safe drinking water supply, sanitation and hygiene in the areas were very poor. This was even worse before the cyclone Sidr. The most water points (e.g. deep tubewell with No. 6 hand pump) along with other surface water sources in the areas were severely damaged during the cyclone (i.e. because of heavy storm surge and flash flood). The ponds, ditches and other small water bodies including vast areas of crop-fields were inundated by saline water. Almost hundred percent latrines, particularly of the poor, were damaged

and washed out. The outbreak of water-borne diseases i.e. diarrhea, dysentery, scabies occurred immediate after the disaster and caused heavy death toll because of using contaminated water, open defecation and lack of hygiene practices. The situation now has improved compared to the situation of pre and immediate after cyclone. This has become possible as a result of huge early recovery and post Sidr rehabilitation activities undertaken by the government agencies, international donors and NGOs. The GOB-Danida Coastal-belt WSS Project, beside others, has played significant roles over the situation to improve. A need assessment survey was carried out by the project in the Kolapara Upazila for water supply, and according to that survey about 1,152

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tubewells were needed considering the ratio of user households per water point 1:50. But by now, the project has distributed and installed only 140 tubewells in the surveyed area. Additionally, some water points are given by NGOs (e.g. NGO Forum, Caritas, BRAC and Local NGO Speed Trust) but the exact figure is not ascertained. However, this implies the coverage of, and hardships of the local communities to access the safe water supply services in the affected areas.

The coverage of sanitation and hygiene practices is also poor, though it is better now than that of the pre-Sidr period. About 60% people use sanitary latrine and the hygiene practices is less than 50%. The coverage of these services has increased about 30% from the pre-Sidr period. This has been achieved through the NGO (e.g. Save the Children, NGO Forum and some local

NGOs) interventions among the communities, as reported. All the hardware facilities related to water supply and sanitation are provided to the affected people at free of cost, while communities are supposed to undertake operations and maintenance (O&M) of the installations. Community consultation outcomes (July 2009) A total of eight villages under Amtoli and Kolapara upazilas of Barguna and Patuakhali districts respectively were surveyed and community people were consulted during the field survey. This was conducted basically at the rebuilding stage of the coastal areas after consecutive hits by Sidr and Ayla. A brief of the outcome is presented below: The WSS situation in the coastal belt areas has arrived at:

- Distribution ratio of household per tubewell is 1:43 (by person 1:215) - Latrine coverage is about 31% among which sanitary latrine coverage is only

about 3% (as defined and used for another regions) - About 5-10% households practice hygiene behaviors

Due to its hydro-geological situation and saline prone character, installation of tubewells in the coastal region requires huge investment (ranging between 30-50 thousands). The cost for operation and maintenance of tubewells is also high comparing with other regions. This has notably constrained the coverage of water supply in the region. Further, the recent issue of climate

change is considered to be addressed while installing tubewells in a technically improved form such as raising platforms and the use of covered head for protection of tubewells from potential pollution due to storm surge.

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The situation related to sanitation and hygiene is relatively good in the coastal region. As found, the coverage of latrines is about 31% and when sanitary latrines are considered it is about 3% only. Hygiene practices, in full, are maintained by only about 5-10% households in the region and partially maintained by more than 50% of community people. These reveal further improvements and coverage extension of sanitation and hygiene practices for the coastal region of Bangladesh. 5.5 Urban Low Income Communities (slums and fringes) Urban low income communities are particularly vulnerable to the water and sanitation situation. The use of unsafe water and unhygienic latrine, open defecation and polluted environment caused by overflowing drains and sewage, lack of proper disposal and management of wastes have direct impact on human health particularly of the female and children. Additionally, the low income communities are being deprived from opportunities of education, primary health care and from many other public services. These together have created a greater impact over sustainable poverty and underprivileged condition among urban low income communities. WSS Infrastructures Low income communities spend an average 2% of their regular income for water and sanitation. This is in fact, spent for infrastructure only. Households those have average income of Taka 5,000 per month, as per above ratio, have to spend an amount of Taka

1,200 (100x12) per annum for the purpose. Being investigated, this is found happening due to the temporary nature of the infrastructure. By utilizing similar amount of money 1 water sealed latrine can easily be procured and installed. Communities are not willing to install or construct permanent infrastructure as they reside temporarily in the settlements. Those who reside in privately owned land the landlords are getting

benefits from the infrastructures depending on its nature through monthly rentals. Community also perceives that if landlord provides better infrastructure they will have to pay increased rate of rental for that. Communities in both the lands are ultimately suffering from the consequences of the temporary nature of the WSS infrastructure. The results show that people have to spend almost 5% of their income for treatment of common diseases assumed to be borne by poor sanitary condition of the infrastructures they use.



The incidence of replacement and eviction is found comparatively high in the public land-based communities than the privately owned settlements. Local politically influential persons or mastans usually control the public lands and its settlements. As a result, replacement and evictions are occurred as they feel politically and economically convenient for them. Many respondents particularly from the public settlements expressed their willingness to install good infrastructure given the condition to ensure that they would not be evicted. The survey result suggests that about 62% slums are situated on the privately owned lands, 36% are on the public lands and only 2% on the disputed lands. Low income communities residing on the disputed lands are similarly characterized by the private lands. The existing WSS infrastructure in the private lands is far better than the settlements on the public lands. This has been caused by the individual initiatives of the landlords, as they perceive that their lands can give good return to them. But the public land-based communities have been found seriously lacking of ownership either by the authorities concerned or by the communities themselves. This has created a big difference in between the public and privately owned lands. Access and Problems related to WSS Services Water Supply About 5-6% low income communities in urban areas have no water supply. While nearly 37% households use hand tube-wells, 1% have their individual piped water connection and 62% households use shared water points. Overall 74% users depend on only one water sources (either tube-well or piped water supply) for drinking purpose, while 26% collect water from more than one sources. About 28% households use private water sources, when 56% households use government (mainly provided by WASA and municipality) sources and 16% use sources provided by the NGOs. Here about 6% households depend on more

than one source. Responses regarding level of community access to safe water were duly cross-checked by different methods and information sources and accordingly, it was found that only 37% community households are currently having access to safe water. An average 223 liters of water per day is required by each household for drinking and cooking purposes. In against the demand they are

getting about 163 liters of water per day. Households located in the private lands pay for water including monthly house rents. Besides, most households in the public lands do not



directly pay for water. Communities are found commonly paying indirect costs for water on regularly basis. They have usually to spend an average of 1.95 hours per day for fetching water. Average cost of the time spent for collecting water is Taka 12.44 per household per day. This gives an estimate that every household has to indirectly pay an average Taka 684.00 per month for water (4,890 liter per day). In the real life situation, households are ultimately spending about 14% of their income for water purpose. Piped water supply and hand tube-wells are used as the main sources of drinking and cooking water in the urban low income communities. Several alternative sources are also used including piped water supply, tube-wells, ditches/jheels, ponds, river, dug-well, lake, etc. 63% community households have access to piped water supply. Most people from that part use piped water for bathing and washing beside drinking and cooking purposes. Otherwise, they use water from adjacent water bodies e.g. ditch/jheel, ponds, dug-wells, etc. for washing and bathing purposes. The second choice of the people for bathing and washing clothes is tube-well. The survey reveals that about 64% households use ditch or jheel and river water for washing their cloths and utensils. Technology preference: A wide range of technological options have been identified by the participants. Rain Water Harvesting System has come out as the first choice as it was perceived as seasonal but incurs no cost and is gifted by the God, appears to be safe, crystal clean and distilled. Technical aspect of storage of rain water is complicated. Piped Water Supply was selected as the second choice. It is perceived easy and comfortable to use for all purposes, high cost (users have to pay every month), safety is not guaranteed (often dirty and having bad smell); not always available, dependent on availability of electricity). The third choice was Deep Tube-well Water which is perceived by the respondents as it produces pure water, useable for all purpose, all time available; can be got from nearest source; comparatively low cost compared to piped water supply (users do not require to pay monthly); many tube-wells are recently contaminated by arsenic. Sanitation Only about 3% households have individual but hygienic latrines, 53% use community latrines and 44% use pit latrines. Average 86 households have access to 1 unit of community latrines. The study confirms that overall 31% community people have access to sanitary latrines in the low income communities. About 32% respondents mentioned that they are having a problem of inadequate number of sanitary latrines in their communities. 17% respondents acknowledged that people are living in severely polluted environment, and the situation is growingly being worsened day by day. About 13% participants perceive community behavior of using ditch and river/pond water for washing and bathing purposes which is mixed with human excreta being connected with open and hanging latrines a bad practice. The findings also show that 12% low income communities do not have sewer connection. Latrines in these communities are mainly connected with either existing drains or with nearby water bodies. Only 6% participants reported cleanliness problems of latrines, while 5% respondents expressed their views that existing latrines of



their communities are overflowed by excreta due to lack of proper disposal system and regular maintenance.

The communities who live in the houses constructed by flimsy structures and situated on top of water bodies and low lying areas have different type of problems. About 9% low income settlements are of similar kinds, most of which are made of fancy and temporary sanitary infrastructures. There are no drainage or sewerage systems in their communities. Communities reside in the flood-prone and low lying areas are found facing problems of water

clogging and routine flooding. While low income settlements located beside railway, high-rise buildings and other roads and footpaths are not allowed in any condition to construct latrines and drainage for their use. Children of these communities usually defecate in open places, men goes here and there for the similar purpose, while women uses night-times only for defecation but often done in the open places. Technology preference: Sanitary latrine with septic tank was given first and highest preference by the community people. It was perceived that attached sanitary latrine with septic tank is easy to clean and use for all, it produces no bad smell and does not spread diseases; it is costly and requires more space. Water-sealed latrine (ring-slub) was the second preference as it was perceived that no bad smell come out and flies cannot enter into the latrine due to its water-sealed bottom, difficult to clean as it requires huge water and cleaning materials; but low cost and easy to rehabilitate. Pit latrine was medium-low preference as these are open and normally spreads bad smell, flies and mosquitoes can easily carry out germs of common diseases, risks for children and aged men and women to fall down; easy to construct and lowest cost. Surprisingly community latrine was chosen as lowest preference may be due to its costs, which requires more space to construct, people/users need to wait in the queue; given for many users, people do not feel ownership, used by many people but nobody found willing to clean/maintain, etc. Sustainability Factors: A Community Perspective From different two aspects the sustainability issues were seen and analyzed. First aspect was concerned with the land ownership and settlement pattern. Second aspect was related to socio-political, institutional, economic, legal & policy matters.



Land tenure: People are of private lands found not willing to share costs for improved services, as because they pay rent for house and other essential services. They even do not want improved services as it is perceived that landlord will increase house rent for that. This will similarly happen in disputed lands. From landlord’s point of view, about 50% are willing to share costs for improved services. A common reaction observed among participants that people emphasize on rehabilitation (or making settlement permanent) of settlement, as they are always remaining on threat of eviction, the most important conditions made by the residents for cost sharing. Factors Affecting Sustainability: Socio-political: Mobilization of community people into different ‘interest groups’; design

and implementation of behavior change communication programs; services need to be out of elite’s capture; ownership of the services can make its impact sustained. Institutional: Specific responsibility to be given to the selected persons for operation and maintenance and duties can be rotationally assigned to many persons; regular monitoring and supervision; transparency of user’s/community organization/committee regarding

money; Economic: Economic ability of the community people has to be strengthened, so that people can afford improved services and maintain services; sustainability of income growth of the low income people can assure their commitment towards hygienic behavior and use of safe water. Legal & Policy: Legal and policy reform as required. Create mass awareness and ensure enforcement of relevant laws and acts and punishments to the illegal and mal-practitioners Management capability and Others: Follow-up of the service providers’ performance, suitability and applicability of the technological options, quality of materials used, etc. 5.6 Medium and Small Municipalities As part of small and medium municipalities Nalcity Pourashava of Jhalokathi, Puthia Porashava of Rajshahi, Gournadi Pourashava of Barisal, Natore and Bandarban



Pourashavas were visited and the concerned persons from the Pourashavas and DPHE offices were consulted. Following is the brief of the outcomes: Nalcity Pourashava: Nalcity Pourashava is situated at the upazila head quarter of Nalcity upazila under Jhalokati District. The Pourashava have no piped water supply, although the Pourashava itself is quite old. Present population of the Pourashava is around 50,000, but the water supply situation is in a very bad shape. Present source of safe water is deep tubewell, but even the number of DTW is insufficient. Only 40 DTWs are operating within the Pourashava, which is inadequate to meet the requirement of the population. Most people are using river water. At present neither DPHE nor the Pourashava have any scheme in hand to improve the water supply facilities. There is demand for having piped water supply system in the town and as immediate relief, while installation of at least 200 new DTW in the town is needed. The existing sanitation system is water sealed latrine, pit latrine and latrine with septic tanks. The present coverage with these facilities is approximately 85%. At present the Pourashava have 4 public toilets. The Pourashava have 2 rickshaw vans for disposing solid waste, but pucca drain for disposing liquid waste and rain water is almost nonexistent. It is strongly asserted that if installed, the piped water system in Nalcity will be sustainable. According to a rough estimate, this will provide at least 1500 house connections which will be adequate to meet the O&M cost. At present they have 3 technical staff in the Pourashava office. The approved organogram have provision of technical staff for water supply system. The pourashava authority is ready to get technical assistance from DPHE, for future water supply project. They are ready to extend co-operation for any future joint venture with DPHE & private sector. But they have no idea how this can be obtained. Regarding sanitation coverage, the pourashava authority expects that by next year 100% sanitation coverage shall be obtained. Puthia Pourashava: Puthia Pourashava has been established in 2001. The area of the Pourashava is about 17 sq. km and has a population of approximately 20,000. The Pourashava do not have its own building and have no elected Mayor and Councilors. UNO, Puthia UZ is acting as administrator of the Pourashava. On the day of visit, administrator was away, on a field visit.



The Pourashava have no piped water supply system. Existing demand for safe water supply in the Pourashava areas indicate that a piped water supply system, if constructed, will be sustainable. The Poura authority and local people are also interested to have piped water supply system. At present hand tubewell is the only source of safe water and there are approximate 400 nos. Government hand Tubewells (Shallow) and some private tubewells. Other than tubewells, people also use pond water. The present sanitation coverage is approximate 95%, mostly with water sealed latrines (Ring-Slab latrine) and some septic tanks. There are 3 public toilets in the town, which have been leased out for operation. The Town needs 2 more Public toilets. In slums and poor areas Pourashava installed community latrine at its own cost. The Town has Pucca and Kutchha drain for liquid and rain water disposal. Solid wastes are being dumped in low land through one truck and one manually driven van. The town has sodium light along the main road. The overall condition of the Pourashava is not good. Attention is needed for installation of its own elected committee and improved water, sanitation, solid and liquid waste disposal system. Gouranadi Pourashava: The Pourashava is situated at the Gouranadi upazila head quarters. The Pourashava has a population of 37000 people within an area of 11.5 sq. km. The main source of water in the Pourashava areas is water from Deep TW and a piped Water supply system installed in 2005. The present coverage is 20% of the population, through around 1000 house connections and 11 stand post. Mayor of the Pourashava informed that with the present water supply status it is becoming difficult to maintain the system through its own revenue income. He emphasized on improved service, increase of quality of water to be supplied, installation of new pumps etc to ensure reliable service, before taking step to increase the tariff. He preferred joint collaboration with DPHE in development and O & M of water supply system. The Pourashava have no future plan of its own for extension of water supply system. Regarding private factor involvement in development of the system, the mayor is not aware of any such possibility and not optimistic above the success of such a venture, due to economic reason. The Mayor informed that the Pourashava have already achieved 100% coverage in sanitation, under the ongoing national sanitation campaign. The majority of the latrines are ring slab latrine (with and without water seal) and some latrines with septic tank. The Pourashava has solid waste disposal system, which is being operated by one truck and the Pourashava need one more truck for the purpose. Moreover they have more than 25 vans to dispose of solid waste. At present the Pourashava has more than 50 public toilets. Some are being maintained by local people and some have been leased out. The present drainage system is in a bad shape. Most of the pucca drains are not operable due to reverse slope of drain bed and due to construction of drains at higher elevation. The mayor emphasized on rehabilitation of drains immediately, but they have no fund or budget for the purpose.



The existing manpower for WSS in the Pourashava is not sufficient. Total manpower should be double the present strength (for O&M, billing and revenue collection). Moreover the staff needs extensive training to increase their skill and efficiency. The mayor also stressed on the need for awareness building and extensive motivation for the Pourashava people, so that better environmental sanitation and hygiene is practiced. Local DPHE Officials The survey team met with SE-DPHE in his office. XEN-DPHE was also present. XEN DPHE accompanied the consultant team during all visits and discussions and assisted the team with lot of valuable information. They discussed with SE DPHE about SDP and existing and future status of WSS in Barisal. He stressed on the need for more development project immediately to attain 100% coverage with water supply within the City Corporation area. According to him both surface and ground water sources are available and feasible in Barisal City. Regarding private sector involvement in WSS, he is not optimistic especially considering the economic condition of the people. But he emphasized that with the improvement of service status in water supply, the tariff may be increased to achieve a sustainable water supply system in the City area. He also recommended for allocation and installation of sufficient number of Deep TWs in all Pourashava immediately to ensure minimum safe water by 2011 for all people. Natore Pourashava: Mayor of Natore Pourashava was supposed to be present in the meeting, but he had to leave for Dhaka in the morning to attend some urgent matters. At one stage during the meeting he talked to the consultants over telephone. At the start of the meeting Assist. Engineer of Natore Pourashava, who is also responsible for operation and maintenance of water supply in Natore town briefed about the present status of water supply in Natore town. He stated that water supply system in Natore started in 1880. At present about 40% the town population is being served with piped water supply, through 7 (seven) production wells. ADB funded secondary town water supply project is being implemented in Natore. After completions of the project in 3 (three) years, the coverage will extend up to 70%. There are 2700 house connections under the water supply system. But the present water tariff is very low compared to other towns in the country. Tk. 60/- and Tk. 80/- are being charged for water per month through a ½” and ¾” connection respectively. According to Pourashava authority the annual collection is around Tk. 20/21 lacs per year, which, covers the annual O&M cost for water supply. On the other hand, they have outstanding unpaid electric bills amounting to TK. 42 lacs. Number of operating staff is also



insufficient (7 M/R Pump operator, 1 mechanic, one bill clerk and one W/S Superintendant).The remaining part of the town outside piped network is being served by approx. 1000 Hand Tubewells (Shallow). According to Pourashava personnel, Pourashava is capable to handle the W/S O&M without any assistance from DPHE. But at one stage, Pourashava staff stated that many connection holders in the Town have applied for surrendering the connection, due to insufficient water supply and low service quality. Alarming information is that ground water level is lowering every year. The Pourashava authority is interested to bring the whole town under W/S network. But they expect to get it through government sponsored projects. They are not optimistic about private sector involvement for development of W/S system in Natore. The present sanitation coverage in Natore is 99%, as stated by Pourashava authority, of which 70% are Sanitary latrines, some latrines are with septic tanks and rest of the latrines are pit latrine. Rain water and liquid waste are drained through Kuchha and Pucca drain, to nearby canals and river (Narod). They have solid waste disposal system operated through 4 trucks and solid wastes are dumped in low land. There is no effort from Pourashava or any other organization to improve the Hygiene practice situation in the town. Hill District Council, Bandarban The consultants’ team met with Prof. Thanzama Lusai, Chairman Hill district council

Bandarban in his office room. The meeting was attended by EE-DPHE, AE-DPHE, SAE-DPHE, Superintendent Water Supply System, Member HDC, District Primary Education Officer and DC Food Bandarban. Mr. Shahjahan Ali, advisor PSU also attended the meeting. The consultants gave a brief on SDP, the need for revision and updating the SDP, the major information and opinion required from the

stakeholders specially hill dist. Council and DPHE.



The Chairman, HDC Bandarban, gave a general description on geo physical situation of Bandarban and status or water supply and sanitation in Bandarban town specifically and in the district in general. The important information are as follows: • Population of the district is little more than 300,000, in the district area of about 5000

sq. km. There are 11 tribes living in Bandarban. Total Pourashava area is 15 sq km and has approximately 50,000 people living in the Pourashava

• Ground and surface water are major source of water supply in the town as well as in the district. But ground water source is not available in most part of the district, throughout the year

• Deep Set TWs, ring wells, are the ground water extraction technologies and Gravity Fed System (GFS), springs, canals (Chhara) and rivers are the surface water sources.

• Different technologies are feasible for different areas. Traditional water supply technologies such as Tubewells, ring wells are not workable in all places.

• Gravity fed system (GFS) and spring development water supply system found workable and liked by people.

• In B.Ban Town both ground water (Tube well) and surface water (river) is being used as water supply source. But ground water source is yielding very little water and not economically viable. River water after treatment is being supplied to most areas. At present 40% holdings are connected with water supply system. Rest of the holdings get water from hand tubewells, ring wells etc.

• The status of revenue collection is satisfactory. O&M of W.S. system is being borne by revenue earning. The water supply systems have some surplus revenue fund also.

• The present status of sanitation is not up to the mark. Only about 50% households have latrines. Lack of water is the main constraint in increasing the sanitation coverage.

• Public toilets are needed in town areas. Community latrines are feasible where cluster of families are living.

• Around 40 NGOs are working in Bandarban district and some of these are working in WSS sector. But they are not accountable to district council and the authority is not aware of their activities.

Detail and lively discussions were held on the future state of WSS in Bandarban which included improvement of water supply situation is rural areas, search for sustainable system, O&M, participation of people, source of fund, improvement of sanitation situation, awareness building and hygiene education among people, accountability and supervision of works of NGOs, expansion of W/S in Bandarban town, Institutional development of WSS section etc. The opinion and recommendation of dist. Council are as follows: - Due unique and difficult geographical and hydro-geological situation, special efforts

and hill friendly technologies should be fried in CHTs



- Gravity fed system and spring development, with treatment facilities are recommended for CHTs

- Private sector involvement in expanding pourashava W/S will be welcomed - Pourashava W/S need immediate expansion and 100% coverage of holdings - Subsidy for hard core poor in WSS is needed - New technologies feasible for hill areas in both WS and sanitation should be tried in

Bandarban - Training of water supply personnel is needed - NGOs should be made accountable to district council - More public toilet and community latrine are needed for Bandarban - Special water point repair system to be introduced for rural areas in CHTs Executive Engineer DPHE, Bandarban Discussion were held on O&M of water supply system, expansion of water supply system in Bandarban, improvement of workability of Dev head pump TWS, ring wells, expansions of sanitation coverage in Bandarban etc. The following are the opinion and re commendation of XEN-DPHE. - Dev. Head pump TWS are found workable in CHTs. Only the suction height may

need to be increased as per local situation - Traditional work rate and technical specification are not workable in CHTs. Due to

following of uniform rate and specification sent from HQ, the work quality and life of water points are generally poor

- Local DPHE need more allocation for GFS and spring development - R&D activities should be under taken in CHTs immediately to search for more area

friendly technologies for the people - More water treatment plant and expansion of transmission network needed for

Bandarban Pourashava - Installation of TW at greater depth where feasible should be tried to know about

aquifer at greater depth. At present tubewells are installed up to 60m depth 5.7 Large Cities and Municipalities Chittagong WASA (CWASA): The Consultants briefed CWASA officials about revision and updating of SDP and requested for co-operation from CWASA. In his briefing about CWASA, Chief Engineer elaborated the present status of water supply & Sewerage in Chittagong city, ongoing projects, future plan in water supply and sewerage etc. The important information are:



- At present CWASA could meet 40% of the total demand for water in the city. The present population is around 38 Lakhs

- Water is being supplied from both ground & surface water sources (110 mld and 90 mld respectively)

- By 2011 CWASA shall implement 6 ongoing projects and increase supply upto 501 mld (coverage 71% of total demand)

- CWASA have future plan to supply 882 mld water (coverage 94%) by 2015, 1163 mld water (coverage 94%) by 2021 and 1813 mld water (coverage 96%) by the year 2031.

- Total proposed spending will be approximately TK. 14000 million by 2011 and approximately another TK. 13500 million by 2015 for supplying water to the city dwellers.

- CWASA have completed a feasibility study to install sewerage system for Chittagong city with a design capacity at 220 mld. The proposed investment plan is TK. 9000 million. Requested WB and other donors.

- CWASA is also mandated for storm water drainage in the City although it is being managed by Chittagong City Corporation. The agency has a TK. 3,000 million project proposed for implementation of storm water drainage project in the city.

The Chief Engineer have also mentioned about the major challenges ahead for CWASA: - Timely and systematic implementation of development project - Quick disposal of legal matters with courts - Overcome land acquisition complications - Resettlement issues for displaced persons due to land acquisition - Institutional development - Maximum revenue collection and increase of collection efficiency - Reduction of water system loss - Protection of surface water sources from salinity and pollution - Water quality surveillance - Improvement of O & M system

Later on the Consultants’ team along with PSU team met chairman CWASA, and briefed chairman about the discussions held with Chief Engineer. The Chairman CWASA emphasized further on the timely completion of ongoing projects by overcoming all complications & disputes. He hoped to implement future plans to ensure better water & sewerage service for the city people. He requested to take into



consideration the expansion of water services to slum & floating population and develop an efficient management system for CWASA. Barisal City Corporation (BCC): At the start of the meeting the City Mayor gave a brief on existing status of water supply and sanitation in Barisal City. He informed that at present only 50% of the core area of the city is being served with piped water supply. But the quantity of water supplied is not adequate. Some of the wards under City Corporation have no piped water supply at all. The other alternative source of safe water within the city corporation area is Deep hand Tubewells. One GOB funded project has just started in Barisal (Name of the project: Barisal and Sylhet water supply development project), Where 14 new production wells and two water treatment plants will be useable constructed along with expansion of pipe network. After implementation of the project the expected coverage shall reach up to 70%. The project is being implemented by both DPHE & B.C.C and will be completed within next 3 years. B.C.C have another project in pipe line to be financed by JICA, through which new production wells and pipeline will be laid to improve the water supply coverage. Other than these two projects BCC have no new plan up to 2015. The existing sanitation system is through water sealed pit latrine and latrine with septic tank. Sanitation coverage is around 85% as stated by B.C.C officials. Some holdings have their latrines connected with surface drains. Sanitation system in slums is operated mainly through pit latrines. Overall sanitation situation is not up to the standard of a city corporation. The city has some public toilets being operated by City Corporation and private sector operators. Solid waste generated in the city is dumped in a low lying place outside the city. Rain and other surface water including sludge water are being drained out through pucca drain & canals to nearby river. During discussion, the Mayor informed that at present B.C.C can somehow manage the O & M cost of water supply system, with the present earning, but nothing is left to take up new development work or to recover investment cost with current revenue earnings. He also informed that BCC have technical manpower to plan, design and execute water supply and sanitation projects. When necessary, assistance from DPHE will be welcome.

Regarding assistance from private sector in future projects the B.C.C have not stated thinking in that line. But in future if private sector investment becomes favorable, they will extend cooperation. Honorable Mayor also informed that appropriate tariff structure can be set along with improved service. According to B.C.C the present sanitation system may be continued in near future, but improved facilities may be provided to the city dwellers for maintaining latrine pits and septic tanks.



Solid waste disposal system is satisfactory and till now it is not a threat to city. Existing storm water drainage system is operating, but the condition of canals is deteriorating due to illegal land grabbing and filling of canals. At present the B.C.C have no master plan for drainage system in the city. When asked about hygiene practices by the city people. Honorable Mayor informed that a lot has to be done to improve hygiene practices among the people. Any assistance either from Govt. or NGO will be welcome. Lastly, Honorable Mayor emphasized on ensuring 100% coverage in WSS in B.C.C within next five years and sought help of GO, NGOs and donors in this respect. Rajshahi City Corporation (RCC): The City Mayor briefed the team on the present status of water supply in Rajshahi City. He informed that at present 56% of the City residents are served with piped water supply. The remaining people get water from private and Government Hand Tubewells. There are 26000 House connections and more than 3000 street hydrants to supply piped water from 49 production wells. 4Nos. Ground water treatment plants treat and remove Iron, Manganese and carbonate from ground water. At present most of those are out of order. 2 (Two) Surface water treatment plants are being constructed to supply surface water from river Padma. Construction of one of the plant is nearing completion. Capacity of each plant is 1125 m3/hr. Water tariff is very low and all connections are non-metered. The existing rates are Tk. 40/- & 60/- per month for a ½” and ¾” connection respectively. CE informed that R.C.C has plan to increase water tariff with the commissioning of surface water treatment plant. The City Mayor informed that a proposal to establish WASA is under consideration of the Government. The ongoing development project with Government finance will be completed in 2011. About 25 new production-wells will be installed under this project, along with 2 surface water treatment plant and new pipelines. Around 230 M/Ton solid waste is being generated daily by the City dwellers, which is disposed in low lying area during night. The R.C.C authority is trying to install solid waste disposal plant, with private sector initiative. The plant if installed will produce Organic Fertilizer and Biogas from solid waste. There is another proposal for solid waste disposal plant with the assistance of foreign donor. The present sanitation system in Rajshahi City is household onsite disposal system through septic tank and water seal latrine. Borehole sewerage system was tried in one Housing estate, but did not materialize due to unwillingness of house owners.



RCC authority is keen to have conventional sewerage system in the City with assistance from foreign donors. Mayor, RCC also agreed with the consultants that Public-Private Partnership may also be explored in this case. RCC have existing storm water drainage system, to drain out rain water and domestic waste water, through Pucca, Kuchha drains, underground pipe line and canals to nearly rivers. The system needs further improvement and expansion to remove water logging from the City, effectively. At the end, Honorable Mayor requested the SDP team to highlight the need of Rajshahi City residents regarding improved water supply, sewerage and drainage system in Rajshahi City and reflect those in SDP. He also assured all out support of R.C.C. in future. DPHE Barisal Discussed about water supply and sanitation situation in Rajshahi district (both Rural and Urban areas). PD informed that after the completion of ongoing water supply project. The situation will improve a lot. But he emphasized on increasing tariff through installation of water meters, to make the system self sustaining. The consultants also agreed to it, as cost of treated water in surface water plant will be much higher than ground water and O&M of the system also need to be improved. PD also requested the Consultant team to visit the under construction treatment plant site. SE-DPHE Rajshahi Circle informed that safe water for domestic use is scarce in Barind area. On the other hand, ground water table is going down every year. There is crisis of water in dry season. Some of the UZ HQ has Pourashava, but no piped water supply system have been established. He requested the SDP team to reflect the situation and recommend possible solution for solving the problems. Afterward the consultant team visited the treatment plant site, 6/7 km away from the City, beside the river Padma. Civil construction works of one unit is nearing completion and tender is called for 2nd unit. Intake Jetty and intake pipes have been installed. Transmission line to city is being constructed. This water supply plant is expected to solve the drinking water problems in Rajshahi City to a great extent. Mymensingh Pourashava The acting Mayor informed the consultants team that the Pourashava piped water supply system is currently being operated and maintained independently by the Pourashava authority. The present coverage with piped water supply is about 45%. The remaining population of Pourashava is getting safe water from approximately 12,000 hand tubewells. Out of the hand tubewells 179 Tara tubewells are being used. The main problems of



Mymensingh water supply are: i) very old and almost choked distribution lines, ii) low pressure in the system and iii) insufficient water supplies. The Acting Mayor urged consultants to focus on their problem for the proposed sector development programme, so that the Pourashava gets adequate fund to improve the water supply system in the town. When asked about the financial status of the water supply system, the acting Mayor informed that the amount of money collected as water revenue are not enough to even meet the O&M cost of the water supply system. He informed that around 60% of the billed amount is collected from the residents as water revenue. At present the Pourashava authority is not even in a position to purchase pumps for water supply system. The Superintendant of Water Supply informed that at present the Pourashava staff are operating & maintaining the system, but for solving any complicated technical problem local DPHE officials extend technical assistance. They emphasized on recruitment of more skilled personnel for the water supply system. But according to him, the present system is lengthy and it requires government clearance. The Acting Mayor requested the government to take up new project for the Pourashava to upgrade and improve water supply system in the town. At present slums dwellers within Mymensingh Pourashava get safe water from hand tubewells or Street hydrants. When asked whether the Pourashava can go for private investment to improve and invest in water supply projects, the acting Mayor expressed his position to be acting in the chair and as such he has no idea how to move ahead with the concept. The acting Mayor termed the solid waste disposal system as fairly adequate, but requested for more waste carrying trucks for the Pourashava. At present work is going on in Mymensingh Pourashava for improving the solid and liquid waste disposal system. The sanitation system in the town is at very ordinary stage. The residents are using water sealed latrines, pit latrines and latrine with septic tanks for disposal of domestic sewage. Cleaning of pits and septic tanks and disposal of sludge to a safe place is still a problem in the town. He expressed the need for some mechanically operated sludge cleaning trucks for the Pourashava. 6. Outcomes of Other Stakeholder Consultation Asian Development Bank (ADB): - ADB has gone through the SDP 2005 and taken into consideration, the relevant

recommendations



- At present ADB is financiering in improvement of water supply system in Dhaka city, though DWASA and improvement of water supply, drainage and solid waste management system in 14 secondary towns in Bangladesh through DPHE and Pourashavas

- The ongoing projects shall also prepare Regulatory frame work for water supply sector, greater autonomy for WASAs and big pourashava in managing water supply system, strengthen human resource capacity of the agencies and ensure better financial management

- The present DWASA project shall cost approximately $200m which include cost of surface water treatment plant for additional supply of 400/500mld water

- ADB is also going to start a new project jointly with JICA, for improvement of water supply system in Khulna City. Total cost has not yet been arrived, but ADB’s contribution may be around $ 100m

- ADB strongly emphasized on improvement of capacity of DPHE in near future, so that they can take up further project for improvement of water supply in district town

- ADB expects DPHE to be more proactive and institutionally strong, to play the role of sector leader in future

- The recommendation of SDP 2005 for formation of regional water supply operator in the private sector or under private public partnership in a cluster of small city corporations, Pourashava and small towns in adjoining areas for viable operation and maintenance of water supply system is appreciated by ADB

- In Bangladesh private sector investment in water supply sector is still not attractive. But ADB recommends construction of more new water treatment plant and distribution system on BOT and more private sector participation in other activities

- ADB is going to hire consultants to review out sourcing of some activities of WASAs - Model by-laws should be prepared for better management of Pourashava water supply

system. - ADB appreciated the study for updating of SDP and wish to see a feasible and practical

sector programme for short medium and long term, acceptable to all potential donors. At the same time recommend capacity building and trainings for DPHE and WASAs

World Health Organization (WHO) Discussion was held on WHO programs at present and in near future, policies and investment related matters, regarding SDP and where revision and updating is necessary. The following are the main points which came out of the discussion: - WHO have a community cooperation strategy for Bangladesh. It is a 6 year programme

covering 7 priority areas, 5 with Ministry of Health (MoH) and 2 with Ministry of Local Govt. (MoLGRD)

- WHO is not a project funding agency. It only provides technical support to government on technical, policy and approach issues



- During the next 5 years WHO shall prepare a water safety framework working closely with DPHE on R&D and strengthening capacity of its Training Division

- WHO responses to pilot projects on R&D support and research monitoring - Government is participating in WHO GLAAS activities (Global Annual Assessment of

Sanitation & Water Supply), where 30 countries are working globally - WHO have no special policies regarding development of WSS in CHTs - WHO feels that National water quality standards should be reviewed and updated with

close coordination between Ministries of Health, Environment and local Government Division

- WHO supports any dialogue towards a Sector Wide Approach (SWAp). It is a positive approach if carefully designed

- Strengthening capacity of DPHE is always in the priority of WHO and is ready to support such activity

- The concept of cluster (regional) water supply Company is appreciated by WHO - The activities of NGOs and private sector should by regularly monitored and ensured

that their activities are in line with Govt. approach, technically and geographical, and any duplication to be avoided

- Regarding fund flow WHO is in the opinion of channeling fund through Government of Bangladesh

Dustha Shasthya Kendra (DSK), a National NGO A team of consultants from DevCon paid a visit to DSK office on the 4th November 2009 to get some firsthand knowledge and sharing experiences gained out of their work in slums and fringes of Dhaka City Corporation (DCC) being associated with DWASA as a collateral agency. DSK is working with DWASA mainly in urban slums and fringes of DCC in the field of water supply and sanitation. The knowledge gathered out of interaction with DSK is enumerated in a way as mentioned below: - The average daily influx of people to the mega city like Dhaka do not have adequate

water supply and sanitation facilities - In DCC, community latrine is run by vendor getting award of leasing. But the

surrounding environment is not congenial for use of the facilities. Government may provide subsidy for improving the scenario.

- DCC and LGD should find out a mechanism to provide better facilities to urban slums and fringes

- DCC can generate fund by allowing their walls to commercial entrepreneur for displaying their advertisement

- DCC is running urban health care center which may be extended to urban slums and fringes to bring the hardcore poor under coverage

- Government may also provide subsidy to the hardcore poor



- From the discussion it revealed that DSK is working in Karaid slums of DCC which is situated on Government land and as such land tenuership is not a problem.

- DCC is running public clinic in each ward. After effective functioning of the clinic it is leased out to make it sustainable with a safety net of free treatment to the hard core poor. Government may provide subsidy to safeguard the safety net.

- DSK is also trying to get a piece of land at Kamangirchar area of DCC by way of motivation to the local people there by eventually to attract public company for developing water supply and sanitation facilities .The company ownership tariff may be developed in such a way that it can sustain with marginal profit even after cross subsidy to the ultra poor segment of people

- Public expenditure tracking system may be developed to safeguard the subsidy of the Government

7. Key Issues related to Water Supply and Sanitation Key issues related to water supply and sanitation are consolidated from the field consultation outcomes. Issues related to WSS infrastructure and services are learnt different in the rural and urban areas of Bangladesh. Furthermore, within the urban and rural areas the nature and pattern of WSS situation and needs are also diverse, each of which demands for context specific solutions. A brief on that is presented below: I. Rural water supply Present water supply coverage and overall situation in the rural areas has been on progress so far especially after a strike by excessive presence of arsenic unveiled in ground water during early nineties. However, epically there are some areas where arsenic was not an issue but people of that areas used to face different challenges in accessing safe drinking water. As our drive was carefully taken to consult local communities considering the hydro-geological and geo-physical differences, as such the lessons learnt are presented differently as follows:

Chittagong Hill Tracts (CHTs): Most rural areas and communities are lagged behind from the WSS services and its basic levels. There are technical and socio-economic difficulties concerning to water supply technologies and coverage. Alternative technologies (e.g. gravity fed, small reservoirs development, piped water system, etc.) need to be developed and promoted considering the local communication-transportation difficulties and affordability. In most cases, indigenous technologies such as chhora, spring water, small water bodies and reservoirs are suggested and can be improved for rural communities to ensure quick extension of safe water coverage.

Haor and flood-plains: As explained in the main text, the haor and flood-plain region is characterized by long-term flooding, water logging, soil erosion and bad



transportation infrastructure. As suggested, technologies (i.e. alternative options) for water supply need different outlook and design pattern for the region, as well as the affordability of local communities particularly of the poor and hardcore poor need to be taken in to account. The number of tubewells (if considered) need to be more in ratio with the population than that of other region due to difficulties in communication and transportation which affect domestic water collection and transportation for being consistently used. The issues like raised platforms, depth of wells and water quality testing need to be checked as well.

Drought and poverty prone areas: These poverty prone (high water table) areas are adequately covered by huge number of locally-initiated low cost tubewells. Only issues like water quality, technical improvement of existing tubewells, financial and technical support to communities for platform construction have to be addressed. The use of tubewell water has to be focused in national programme particularly for this poverty prone areas so that it can be more diversified (for example, can easily be used for sanitation, hygiene practices and homestead gardening) for the local people to be economically benefiting from the services. On the other hand, the drought affected (low water table) areas are suffering from huge shortage of water supply coverage. For these areas, the technologies need to be cost effective, locally available and socio-culturally attractive. Many people found to be dependent on irrigation pumps for domestic water in the region, which can be leveraged for further extension. The water quality, alternation options like RWHS, RPWS etc. issues need to be piloted and resolved.

Coastal-belt areas: Issues of increasing saline intrusion due to climate change impacts in ground water, disaster (i.e. cyclones, storm surge, water logging) risk reduction, high cost of tubewell for extracting sweet water from deep aquifer need to be addressed in technology design and overall service delivery. Service delivery during emergencies also to be considered as it embeds with serious public health consequences.

II. Rural sanitation and hygiene Sanitation technologies used countrywide are almost similar only excepting in the CHT areas. People living in the CHT areas mostly use indigenous technologies (such as open bottom bamboo made latrines beside home premises) and options, while few others use technologies (i.e. ring-slab, cluster and community latrines with septic tank, pit latrines) like people of other regions. The area specific recommendations are present below:

CHT areas: Considering transportation and communication difficulties and the overall socio-economic and ethnic cultural situation sanitation technologies need to be modified and improved. These have to be cost effective and ease of handling



during transportation (e.g. so that those cannot be broken) and in the use. In cases of indigenous technologies, technical improvements in the design to be more environment-friendly are suggested by local communities. Among them, sanitation services in schools and religious institutions (e.g. temple, mosques) have to be prioritized. For developing hygiene promotion programmes and instruments, indigenous languages, cultures, beliefs and traditions need to be focused. Haor and flood-plain areas: Soil erosion due to water inundation, lack of community affordability for improved latrines, raised costs of materials due to transportation and communication difficulties are the issues that need to be considered. Drought and poverty prone (northeast and northwest) areas: Coverage of sanitary latrines in this region is visibly poor as because of lack in community awareness and affordability. Scarcity of water, particularly in the drought prone areas, is one the common reasons for which sanitation practices become harder to maintain by the communities. As such, emphasis on building community awareness and improved access to water supply should be given in the sector development programme. Besides, economic opportunities and leverages of hygiene practices and the use of safe drinking water should be focused in the community awareness building campaigns. Coastal belt areas: Sanitation options need to be climate resilient and low cost to ensure extended sanitation coverage in this region. As suggested by the Danida Mission for Climate Change, issues like raised latrines with improved superstructures and improved sanitation facilities (including water availability) in the cyclone shelters to be used during emergencies need to be addressed.

III. Urban water supply and sanitation The issue of urban water supply and sanitation is much complex, and this has further been proved through the field consultation. Particularly the demand for safe drinking water in the urban areas of Bangladesh has turned into a grave of concern particularly in a context while urbanization is on its rapid scale and lacking capacity of the state to provide basic services and infrastructure facilities. The key issues are presented below for further attention to the government, sector agencies and stakeholders. Present situation of urban water supply On average more than half of the urban population have access to piped water supply. All the big city corporations, district towns (58) have piped water supply system. However, among the remaining 251 municipalities only 103 municipalities have piped water supply system. The six big cities, Dhaka, Chittagong, Rajshahi, Khulna, Sylhat, Barisal have piped



water supply system that serve 83%, 40%, 40% 40%, 40% and 40% of the population respectively. In other towns, piped water supply systems serve around 30% to 40% of the population. They are primarily the urban core area. The population in remaining urban areas and small towns without piped water supply rely on hand tubewells. Arsenic contamination of ground water beyond the permissible limit of 0.05 mg/l, has affected some of the municipalities. Supply of water to households is mainly through house connections. Some municipalities have of a few street hydrants. The Daily per capita supply varies from 80 lpd to 150 lpd in small to big cities. The big cities like Dhaka, Chittagong and Khulna have separate authorities for water supply & sewerage Development, operation and maintenance services (WASAs). In other cities and municipalities the operation & maintenance is looked after by the City corporation/municipalities. The major development works are still being implemented by either by DPHE or jointly by DPHE / Corporation/ Municipalities. Except WASAs, other Corporation/Municipalities facing lot of challenges in running the water supply services, such as, (a) In adequate technical and management capacity (b) Absence of institutional arrangement (c) Low/no cost recovering (d)Political influence (e) Insufficient service provision (f) Lake of Autonomy etc. Large Cities (WASAs) also facing challenges such as (a) Over dependence on ground water sources (b) More autonomy in decision making (c) Low operating efficiency (d) Services to urban slums etc. Situation of Urban Sanitation The situation of sanitation services are lagging far behind, considering the urban context. Only Dhaka City has conventional sewerage system for its residents. That also covers only 25% of the population. Rest of the population and households still depend mainly on septic tank or water sealed latrines. In all other cities and towns water sealed latrines and septic tanks system are the only mode of sanitation system available. At present the overall coverage of population with sanitation system range from 80% to 85%. Remaining population mainly the slum dwellers, still use unhygienic pit latrines, hanging latrines or depend on road side drain/ open defecation. Pits fill up too fast and effluent from septic tank and pits flows into open drain causing environmental pollution. Slow progress in developing and practicing proper sanitation and hygiene among people often reducing the health gains from improved access to safe water. Public toilets for floating population and temporary visitors are not adequate either in big cities or in small towns. This is a big problem in urban areas and for better environment in urban areas. The major challenges of proper sanitation facilities and practice in urban areas are: (a) Introduction of proper and sustainable technologies, (b) Coverage with conventional sewage system in big cities, (c) Sustainable sanitation for urban slum, (d) adequate number of Public toilets in cities and towns, and (e) Ensuring good hygiene practices etc.



Waste Disposal and Management Waste disposal (both solid and liquid) in urban areas is posing as a big challenge, with the rapid increase of urban population and population density. At present in big cities (Dhaka, Chittagong, Khulna, Rajshahi) have organized solid waste collection system such as dust bins, collection from households by private collectors, etc. The collected waste are transported and dumped in demarcated dumping site or in low lying areas. But no hygienic disposal system exists in any of the cities. In other Municipalities and small towns, even the collection system is not properly managed. Solid wastes are primarily disposed off in low land near the town. Domestic waste water, rain water etc. are drained out through open or covered surface drain to nearly canals/gig drains/low lying land. Dhaka and Chittagong have planned drainage facilities. But these are also inadequate and water logging during monsoon is a common phenomenon in these cities, mainly due to absence of proper outlets, illegal grabbing or canals by people, filling up of low lands etc. In the cities and towns surface drains are the main mode of disposal of domestic waste water and rain water. But the ultimate disposal site is mostly low-lying areas, which is at risk of filling up in near future. Future Needs Urban Water Supply The population in urban areas is increasing fast and population density is becoming higher. Large establishments are coming up, high rise buildings are being constructed. All these will need adequate and sustainable water supply. Full coverage with piped water supply systems have been voiced by both people and the authorities (Mayors of City Corporation, Pourashava and local officials) during field consultation. After discussion with the mayors, officials and local people, it is clears that the provision of safe water to residents of urban areas is a primary necessity. The government has also planned to ensure safe water for all population by the year 2011. Keeping that in mind government has taken up schemes to supply safe water to all by 2010. The plan will be to ensure access to safe water through installation of required number of hand tubewells within the City Corporation and Municipal area. Simultaneously the following step shall be taken to ensure sustainable water supply services.

(a) Projects to ensure 87%, 80%, 70%,80%, 70%, 70%, 70% & 50% coverage with piped water supply in Dhaka city, Khulna, Rajshahi, Sylhat, Barisal, large Pourashavas and small Pourashavas respectively by 2015

(b) Projects to ensure 90% to 70% coverage in City Corporations & Pourashavas by 2020 and 95% to 85% coverage by 2025. Remaining population shall be covered with hand tubewells



(c) Ensure sustainable water supply to all slums by 2015 (d) Efficient management & O&M capacities for City Corporation & Pourashava to

run the system (e) Sustainable tariff structure for water supply system to ensure O&M and cost

recovery (f) Adequate autonomy for WASAs, City Corporations & Pourashavas

Sanitation Present sanitation systems need big upgradation in urban areas for maintaining proper hygiene practice and environmental health of the people of the urban areas. The people as well as the Mayors of City Corporation & Pourashavas also emphasized the need for sustainable sanitation services in the urban area. Government has taken up steps to ensure full sanitation coverage with onsite sanitation services by 2013. Keeping that in mind the SDP should address the following issues related to urban sanitation services.

(a) Dhaka, Chittagong cities to have offsite sanitation (Conventional Sewerage) system for 50% & 5% population by 2015 and remaining population to get on site sanitation facilities.

(b) By 2020, all City Corporation & large Pourashavas shall have off site sanitation facilities for population ranging from 55% to 5% & 60% to 10% by 2025.

(c) Remaining population shall have access to on site sanitation (water seal latrine & Septic tank)

(d) 100% population of all other Pourashavas to have access to on site sanitation (water sealed latrine & septic tank) by 2013

(e) Hygienic sludge dumping sites in all Pourashavas & City Corporation (f) Efficient Management system in all city Corporations & Pourashavas (g) Hygiene education & ensuring hygiene practice for all population

Waste Disposal and Management All City Corporations & Pourashavas shall have hygienic solid waste disposal system and storm water drainage system in place. The following measures have been proposed in SDP for implementation

(a) All City Corporation & Pourashavas shall have proper solid waste collection & disposal system by 2015

(b) Big Cities shall have permanent dumping ground, incineration and composting plant for solid waste



(c) By 2025 all Pourashavas shall have permanent dumping ground and composting plant for solid waste

(d) Adequate collection equipment & Trucks to be provided for an Pourashavas. (e) Private sector shall be involved in the job (f) All City Corporation & Pourashavas shall have 60% to 50% drainage system for

storm & domestic water by 2015, full coverage (100%) to be ensured by 2025 (g) Capacity building and institutional development of all city Corporation &

Pourashavas to deal will solid & liquid waste disposal activities (h) Adequate & Reasonable tariff structure to be ensured to make the system

sustainable.

IV. Institutional set-up The institutional set-up for delivery of water supply and sanitation services varies in the urban and rural areas of the country. Regionally this set-up is similar to its nature but different in extents only excepting for the CHT areas. These are presented below: Urban set-up: In the three big cities (e.g. Dhaka, Chittagong and Khulna) the WASAs are mainly responsible for delivering the services and facilities. They work under the Local Government Division (LGD) of the Ministry of Local Government Rural Development and Cooperatives (LGRD&C), and works are little coordinated with LGIs (i.e. City Corporations) and other service (e.g. gas, electricity, telephone and roads) agencies. WASAs usually get funded by the government and donors for their projects. They have their own systems and service delivery modalities to follow by the users and these are governed by separate laws and regulations. It is often discussed that public interests in getting basic services yet to be protected according to and by existing laws and regulations; as well as government policies and strategies has to be more public interest oriented in future to ensure improved access to quality services. Other than aforesaid big cities, services for the urban population are provided mainly by the municipalities (i.e. Pourashavas). They are also linked with and work under the MoLGRD&C. Urban WSS projects are funded and managed through similar ways as those are done in the big cities. For faster services and quality coverage of WSS services the need for institutional reforms are recommended, so that government resource limitation can be overcome and involvement of private sector can be encouraged. Rural set-up: In the rural areas, excepting CHTs, Union Parishads (UPs) are mainly responsible for providing services. UPs work closely with and being monitored by Upazila Parishad (UZP) under the same ministry. Local Government Engineering Department (LGED) under the same ministry also provides infrastructure supports and small scale WSS services to the rural people, especially based in rural growth centers and small scale water resource management. The main funding channel for rural WSS services is the



government (i.e. ADP) alongside NGOs involved in the sector. Department of Public Health Engineering (DPHE) is the lead government agency, is mainly held responsible for ensuring WSS facilities and services through this LGI based institutional set-up. It is suggested to explore opportunities for involving private sectors in the rural services for its quality expansion and greater sustainability. CHT set-up: According to the CHT Peace Accord 1997, the WSS service agencies including DPHE have been transferred under the CHT Regional Council (CHTRC), which works under the Ministry of CHT Affairs. Each district under CHTRC has separate Hill District Council (HDC) and they coordinate and manage all the services and activities related to water supply and sanitation. CHTRC bears responsibility to coordinate and link departmental (which are transferred to them) services in collaboration with the LGIs (e.g. Pourashavas, UZP, UPs) and local traditional institutions (i.e. Tribal Kingships). The role of NGOs and Private Sectors: Apart from the government-led institutional set-up, NGOs have been playing pivotal roles in the WSS sector. They are involved both in the urban, rural and CHT areas for delivering basic facilities and services related to water supply and sanitation. In some cases, NGOs made remarkable contributions and their roles are nationally and internationally recognized. They mainly provide WSS supports being sponsored by international and local donors (including government). In the rural areas and urban peripheries private sector has been evolved since last 2-3 decades in Bangladesh. They have been contributing in scaling up of water supply and sanitation coverage across the country through manufacturing tubewells, latrine materials and other relevant accessories. Still there is scope for wider participation and contribution of the private sector to facilitate the process of WSS service improvements. V. Our context and national targets The field consultation outcomes present our actual contexts and future challenges of the WSS sector. This has clearly demonstrated that the country demands area and context specific technical solution and reveals diversities in socio-economic and cultural situation to be taken into account while planning and implementing WSS programmes. For example, the areas of CHTs, haor and flood-plains, drought prone and coastal belt has differently characterized by it socio-economic and geo-physical features; as such the areas need different type of solutions. The country also have exposed by extents of poverty and different hydro-geological characters (i.e. arsenic prone, at risk of flooding and other climate change impacts), which demands further attention. The present Bangladesh Government has set target of achieving safe water supply and sanitation for all by 2011 and 2013 respectively, and as such, the government planning is formulated. There is another international commitment made from the government side to



achieve MDG targets related to water supply and sanitation. According to that, 100% coverage (at basic minimum service level) will be achieved by 2015. All these national targets and commitments are of importance to address and to get it done, particularly when the WSS sector is planning for development programmes for short (2010-2015) and long term (2010-2020) period, which needs to match with Country’s Vision 2021 (i.e. earmarking celebration of its 50 years of indepence). 8. Annexes

- Workshop Participants - List of persons met during field consultation



List of Participants: CHT Regional Workshop 1. Mr. Jotyrindra Bodhipriya Larma, Chairman, CHT Regional Council 2. Mr. Kiorn Chakma, BORGANA 3. Sunity Bikash Chakma, Ex UP Chairman/Para Karbari 4. Tushar Kanti Dewan, Headman, 95 No. Kashkhali Mouza, Kawkhali 5. Arunmoy Chakma, Asst. Headman, 114 Balukhali Mouza 6. Ripon Chakma, RDA 7. Jatan Kumar Dewan, Green Hill Rangamati 8. Bakhteyar Uddin, Shiring Hill 9. Arjun Mani Chakma, Vice Chairman, Kawkhali Upazila Parishad 10. Jaysuda Chakma, Female Ward Member, Ghagra UP, Kawkhali 11. Shantipada Chakma, PUGOBEL 12. Sunil Kanti Dey, CHT Correspondence, Daily Sangbad 13. Mong Yai, UNICEF Rangamati 14. Dilip Kumar Chakma, Executive Engineer, HDC Rangamati 15. Md. Moniruzzaman Mohsin, Councilor, RHDC 16. Md. Habibur Rahman, Mayor, Rangamati Pourashava 17. Md. Sadeque Hossain, SE-DPHE, CHT Circle 18. Md. Abu Khaled, XEN-DPHE, Rangamati Division 19. Md. Firoz Ahamed, SDE-DPHE, Rangamati 20. Mintu Bikash Chakma, DPD, ICDP Rangamati 21. Paichamong Marma, Karbari 4 No. Kalmpti UP, Kawkhali 22. Ching Kew Roaza, Ex Chairman, HDC Rangamati 23. Abu Daud Md. Golam Mustafa, UNO, Kawkhali 24. Abdur Razzak, SAE-DPHE, Kawkhali 25. Md. Shajahan Ali, Governance Advisor, PSU-LGD 26. Md. Milin Plite, UP Member, Kawkhali 27. Md. Kabir Ahmed, UP Chairman, Kawkhali 28. Mamo Carof, UP Member, Betbunia 29. Kritilal, Pourashava Councilor, Rangamati 30. Nurul Alam, CHT RC Member 31. Md. Jan-e-Alam, ICDP, CHT Development Board, Rangamati 32. Tapan Kanti Ghosh, PD, ICDP, CHTDB 33. M. Marufur Rashid Khan, CEO, Rangamati Pourashava 34. Hari Kishore Chakma, Staff Reporter, Prothom-Alo Rangamati 35. Thalee Khoaiza, UP Member, Fatikchari UP 36. Abdul Kader Choudhury, DevCon 37. A.B.M. Ziaul Kabir, PSU 38. Md. Naziruzzaman, PSU 39. Tanveer Ahsan, DevCon 40. Md. Abul Kashem, DevCon 41. Purobi Khisha, DevCon 42. Hasnat Iftekhar Hossain, DevCon



List of Participants: Netrokona (Mohonganj) Regional Workshop 1. Begum Rebeka Momin, MP Netrokona – 4 2. Md. Misbah Uddin, Headmaster, Mohonganj Public High School 3. Md. Noor Mia, Member, 5 No. Samajsahildeo UP 4. Abdul Sattar Ahmad, GS Modon Awami League 5. Afir (?), UP Member, Mohonganj (Samajsahildeo) 6. Nurjahan Begum, UP Member, Kashia Birampur 7. Ferdousi Azad Ava, UP Member, Sueir UP 8. Beby Choudhury, UP Member, Gaglajur UP 9. Md. Sharif Uddin, BRAC Mohonganj 10. Md. Nazrul Islam, Journalist 11. Abdur Razzak Raju, UP Member, Barotoli Banihari 12. Md. Saiful Islam, UP Member, Tetulia 13. Md. Parvez Khan, Swabolombi Unnayan Samitee, Mohonganj 14. Md. Mizanur Rahman, ASP Khaliajuri Circle 15. S.M. Abdul Kader, UNO, Modon and Khaliajuri 16. Kazi Rezaullah, EE-DPHE, Netrokona 17. Engr. Md. Nuruzzaman, SE-DPHE, Dhaka Circle 18. Md. Abdul Halim Khan, XEN-DPHE, Sherpur 19. Golam Mostafa, UP Member, Gaglajur 20. Md. Imam Hossain, UP Member, Gaglajur 21. Rafiqul Islam Mondal, Jainpur High School 22. Brozeshwar Nath Roy, Ex Pourashava Commissioner, Mohonganj 23. Md. Abdur Rab Khan Takur, HM Saestagonj Junior High School 24. Mahibur Rahman, Poura AL, Mohonganj 25. Ershad Uddin 26. Shawkat Hossain 27. Ferdous Haque 28. Monayem Hossain Takur 29. Al Mamun Swapan 30. Dr. Anwar Hossain Bakul 31. Md. Was Uddin 32. Md. Saidur Rahman Sayed 33. Md. Habibur Rahman 34. Md. Nurul Haque Choudhury, Suair 35. Md. Nurul Islam 36. Md. Abul Hashem, Kamolpur 37. Md. Taher Uddin 38. Md. Monjurul Haque Monju 39. Motiar Rahman 40. Iqbal Hasan Taposh 41. Jahangir Alam 42. Md. Chanchal 43. Masum Khan 44. Md. Jewel



45. Latifur Rahman Manik 46. Md. Jainal Abedin 47. Md. Joynul 48. Md. Abdul Goni 49. Md. Kamal Pasha, UP Member, Tetulia UP 50. Md. Masud Rana, Krishak League 51. Sree Gurudash Chakrabortee, UDA, Khursimul 52. Sree Akhil Das, Khursimul 53. MA Rab, Suair AL 54. Mahbubur Rahman Nantu, GS, Mohonganj Public Library 55. Md. Mojibor Rahman, Chairman, 4 No. UP 56. Md. Abdur Nur, Chairman, 6 No. UP 57. Md. Anisur Rahman (Biplob), Poura AL 58. Motahar Hossain Choudhury, Ex VP, Mohonganj Degree College 59. Quari Samsuddin Ahmed, Mohonganj 60. Advocate M.A. Rahim, Mohonganj Jatiya Party 61. Kazi Habibur Rahman, APP, Netrokona 62. Ahmmad Ali Choudhury, Chairman, Samaj Sahildeo UP 63. Abul Kalam Azad, Chairman, 3 No. Tetulia UP 64. Md. Khairul Amin 65. Rebeka Aktar, female UP Member, Suair 66. Golam Kibria Jabbar, UZ Chairman, Khaliajuri 67. Kazi Abed Hossain, UNO, Mohonganj 68. Md. Shaheed Iqbal, UZ Chairman, Mohonganj 69. Mirza Abdul Gani, UZ Vice Chairman, Mohonganj 70. Begum Zakia Sultana, UZ Vice Chairman, Mohonganj 71. Dulal Chandra Sarkar, UZ Vice Chairman, Khaliajuri 72. Md. Shajahan Ali, Advisor PSU 73. Tanveer Ahsan, Consultant, DevCon 74. Abdul Quader Choudhury, Consultant, DevCon 75. Abul Kashem, DevCon 76. Hasnat Iftekhar Hossain, DevCon 77. Md. Shahbaz Hossain, SAE-DPHE, Mohonganj-Khaliajuri-Kalmakanda



List of Persons met during Field Consultation 1. Mr. Ranjit K. Das, Program Coordinator, DSK, Dhaka 2. Mr. Masayuki Tachiri, Urban Economist, SAUD, ADB Dhaka 3. Representative, WHO Dhaka Office 4. Mr. Shafiqul Islam, Chief Engineer, Chittagong WASA 5. Chairman, Chittagong WASA 6. Prof. Thanzama Lusai, Chairman Hill District Council, Bandarban 7. Executive Engineer, DPHE Bandarban 8. Assistant Engineer, DPHE Bandarban 9. Sub-Assistant Engineer, DPHE Bandarban Sadar 10. Superintending Engineer, Bandarban Water Supply System 11. Member, Hill District Council, Bandarban 12. District Primary Education Officer, Bandarban 13. Deputy Commissioner- Food, Bandarban\ 14. Mr. Shawkat Hosssin Hiron, Mayor, Barisal City Corporation 15. Mr. Shafiqur Rahman XEN, Barisal City Corporation 16. Mr. A. Motaleb XEN, Barisal City Corporation 17. Mr. S. H. Bhuiyan XEN DPHE Barisal 18. Mr. Liton Khan, Acting Mayor, Nalcity Pourashava, Jhalokathi 19. Mr. S. M. Bhuiyan, XEN- DPHE, Jhalokathi 20. Assistant Engineer, DPHE Nalcity 21. Sub-Assistant Engineer, DPHE, Nalcity 22. Councilor, Nolcity Pourashava 23. Mr. Md. Nurul Islam (Nur Alam), Mayor Pourashava 24. Assistant Engineer, DPHE, Gournadi, Barisal 25. SAE-DPHE, Gournadi 26. Secretary, Gournadi Pourashava, Barisal 27. Mr. Younus Ali, SE-DPHE, Barisal Circle 28. Mr. Shamsul Hoque Bhuiyan XEN-DPHE, Barisal District 29. Mr. Zamanur Rahman, XEN-DPHE, Natore 30. Mr. Abu Hena Mostafa Kamal, AE Natore Pourashava 31. Mr. Md. Golam Sarwar, Superintendant, Water Supply Section 32. Mr. A. H. M. Khairuzzaman, Mayor, Rajshahi City Corporation 33. Mr. Sirajum Munir, CE, Rajshahi City Corporation 34. Mr. Abul Bashar, PD, Rajshahi W/S Project, DPHE 35. Mr. Pervez, XEN, Rajshahi City Corporation 36. Mr. Abul Basher, PD, Natore 37. Mr. Shafiur Rahman, SE-DPHE Rajshahi Circle



38. Pourashava Engineer, Puthia, Rajshahi 39. Acting Mayor, Mymensing Pourashava 40. Executive Engineer, Mymensing Pourashava 41. Executive Engineer, DPHE, Mymensing 42. Superintendant of Water Supply, Mymensing Pourashava

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