Access to safe drinking water: Pathway for addressing the challenge of arsenic contamination in water

Arsenic Knowledge and Action Network http://www.arsenicnetwork.in/SaciWATERs, HyderabadManish Maskara, Safa Fanaianarsenicnetwork@saciwaters.org

About the network

The issue…• Persistent drinking water quality problem in different

geographies- arsenic- a ‘wicked’ contaminant in around 86 districts in India (CGWB)

• Associated health risks and impacts

The response…• Arsenic Knowledge and Action Network• Mandate: Bring together knowledge and action driven

by a dynamic network of partner organizations and individual members sharing a common vision for systematic and structural changes in arsenic mitigation strategies across India

Arsenic Knowledge and Action NetworkThe Assam experience

• A few Insights…

– Conceptualizing the problem within the geography (e.g communication barrier, priority, at risk v/s affected)

– Identifying passionate individuals who can become water quality champions - From 1 village to 30 villages

– Leveraging the potential of alternative and safe source of drinking water through community engagement

– Use of Short films, videos, interactions, discussions, consultations, follow-ups, meetings…….

Guava leaf test, Assam Rain water harvesting structure in school premises

Health camp in Titabar, Assam

Community pond cleaned by the villagers

Tapping the local – newspapers, school gatherings, water quality testing, water infrastructure, awareness through hoardings

Guava leaf test in Bihar

Using ponds for drinking water

LINKING ARSENIC TOXICITY WITH NUTRITION

Access to safe drinking water: Pathway for addressing the challenge of arsenic contamination in water

Arsenic toxicity: Entry and Exit• In many arsenic-affected countries, including Bangladesh and

India, rice is reported to be one of the major sources of arsenic contamination (Bhattacharya et al 2012)

• However scientists and doctors highlight anti-oxidant food for flushing out levels of arsenic toxicity

Type of anti-oxidant food Dosage

turmeric powder (haldi)

1 tablespoon a day with luke-warm half glass milk

gooseberry powder (amla)

1 tablespoon a day with luke-warm half glass milk

holy basil (tulsi leaves) 5 leaves per person per day

coriander leaves (dhaniya) 15 leaves per person per day

Health camp, Titabar, Jorhat (Assam)

• A demand from concerned communities: Camp for identification of patients with chronic arsenic toxicity• Despite a district level bandh (strike), camp witnessed govt level participation• Demystifying myths and assumptions: skin infections v/s arsenicosis• Participatory planning involving doctors, scientists, ANMs, community workers, school teachers

Institutional linkages Programmatic linkages

Identifying institutional gaps in drinking water supply - at state and local level (study for Bihar done)

Linking with Swachh Bharat Mission (SBM)

Studying food habits in arsenic affected regions

Integration with MGNREGA to create physical infrastructure, if needed

Leveraging linkages between water quality, education and health through local health communicators (who could be)

• Active School teachers• Aaganwadi workers• SHG women (Safe Water

Plan)• ASHA/ANMs• ICDS supervisor • paramedical staff and

doctors in sub-divisional hospital

National Health Mission: Health education programme of Health Department

Dosage of anti-oxidant food to combat arsenic toxicity could be included in Mid-Day meal scheme

Inclusion of info in interactive materials

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