90pc community clinics do not have safe drinking water

In coastal areas of Khulna, 90 percent of community clinics do not have safe drinking water, 95 percent shallow tube-wells are inactive and 97 percent pond sand filters (PSF) are not functional, a recent study has found.

Due to water crisis, population growth rate in Khulna is 0.25 percent and 0.47 in Bagerhat, while the national average is 1.47, speakers said while publishing a research at a two-day Coastal Water Convention 2019 yesterday at Khulna University.

The convention discussed water crisis and its causes in the southwest of the country. It was organised by a committee comprised of 45 government and non-government organisations.

Muhammed Alamgir, a member of University Grants Commission (UGC), presented the keynote paper. He cited that around 42 percent sources of drinkable water contain microbial contaminations, and 36 percent children under the age of five suffer from chronic malnutrition due to lack of clean water and sanitation. The coastal population faces increasing risks from rising sea levels, saline intrusion and arsenic contamination in groundwater. Eighty-one percent of community water sources are inactive, he said.

Over 3,000 participants -- including researchers, academics, policymakers and students -- are participating at the convention.

LGRD Minister Md Tazul Islam inaugurated the convention, where 12 papers were presented.

Khulna city Mayor Talukder Abdul Khaleque; Fred Witteveen, national director of World Vision Bangladesh, and Lokman Hossain Miah, divisional commissioner of Khulna, spoke at the event, among others.