Drinking water in the hilly region of Bangladesh: how is the quality?

Abstract

This paper assesses the chemical and bacteriological quality of drinking water in three districts of the Chittagong Hill Tract (CHT), a region within Bangladesh. Drawing water samples from tubewells, chharas /springs, lakes/canals, wells, and ponds, analysis was done on pH, alkalinity, arsenic, phosphate (PO 4 ), sulphate (SO 4 ), ammonium-nitrogen, conductivity, and faecal coliform bacteria. The PO 4 and SO 4 concentrations were within the permissible limits. In contrast, 100% of the water samples contained alkalinity below 400 mg/l. Varied proportions, ranging from 14% to 50%, of tubewells, chharas /springs, lakes/canals, and well water had a pH of less than 6.5. Three out of 16 (18.8%) tubewell water samples tested had arsenic contamination and 18% of the chhara /spring and 11% of the well water samples had an unacceptable level of conductivity. In addition, faecal coliform bacteria contaminated almost all sources of water, ranging from 81% to 100%. The water used for drinking in CHT in general is harmful for health.