Slum dwellers get potable water
Thousands of slum people under Kurigram municipality are now getting potable water through overhead water tanks, thanks to the initiatives of Max Foundation, a Netherlands-based organisation.
According to the foundation, about 15 thousand beneficiaries of 3,381 families in 10 out of 22 slums in the municipality are now having the privilege of pure drinking water.
One of the beneficiaries Asma Begum, 38, of Dakbungalow Para slum, said, “Earlier, we had been facing various problems due to use of unhygienic water, but now we use potable water from underground through pumps.”
The water pumps have been set up after conducting different tests including arsenic and iron, she said, adding that the collected water is stored in a 30-foot-high overhead water tank and then supplied to its beneficiaries concerned.
Usually about 25 to 40 families are connected with one water tank, Asama said.
Funded by Max Foundation, Eco Social Development Organisation (ESDO) in association with Kurigram municipality already set up 17 such overhead tanks in ten slums.
Following a survey among slum dwellers on various health issues in 2013, Max Foundation and ESDO signed a contact with Kurigram municipality in 2015 to mitigate the problems.
In order to reach a solution in this regard, the slum dwellers contributed 20 percent amount of the total cost for setting up the water tanks while Max Foundation funded the rest, Project Manager of ESDO, Kurigram branch Matiur Rahman said.
Besides, the beneficiaries were asked to pay the electricity bills and other maintenance cost, Matiur said.
According to the beneficiaries, each tanks containing 1,000 to 3,000 litre of water was set up at a cost of Tk 1,80,000 to Tk 4,30,000.
The pump setting up work that started in 2017 includes purchase of water tanks, 30-foot-long iron stand, water pumps, electric wire, water supply pipes and labour cost.
General Secretary of Kurigram Harijan community Joy Kumar, 27, of Powerhouse Para slum, said, “As there is no planned drainage system the used water is stored beside the water-tap or latrine.”
Kurigram municipality Mayor Abdul Jalil said he is working to prepare hygienic slums so that the growth of slum children is not stunted and they can live well.
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