Water Pollution in Bangladesh
Water Pollution in Bangladesh
INTRODUCTION
Water is the most vital element among the natural resources, and is crucial for the survival of all living organisms. The environment, economic growth and development of Bangladesh are all highly influenced by water - its regional and seasonal availability, and the quality of surface and groundwater. Spatial and seasonal availability of surface and groundwater is highly responsive to the monsoon climate and physiography of the country. Availability also depends on upstream withdrawal for consumptive and nonconsumptive uses. In terms of quality, the surface water of the country is unprotected from untreated industrial effluents and municipal wastewater, runoff pollution from chemical fertilizers and pesticides, and oil and lube spillage in the coastal area from the operation of sea and river ports. Bangladesh is the lower riparian of three major river systems, the Ganges-Padma, the Brahmaputra-Jamuna and the Meghna. The aquatic environment for living organisms can be affected and bioaccumulation of harmful substances in the water-dependent food chain can occur. A variation of inland surface water quality is noticed due to seasonal variation of river flow, operation ofindustrial units and use of agrochemicals. Overall, inland surface water quality in the monsoon season is within tolerable limit with respect to the standard set by the Department of Environment (DoE).
Causes of Water Pollution
The major causes of degradation of inland water quality are related to land based activities, when adequate regulatory measures are not incorporated and the stakeholders do not show proper concern. The underlying driving forces for this are poverty, an unhealthy national economy, lack of institutional strength, and lack of awareness and education. Pollutants that enter the marine and coastal environment originate on land in the form of runoff from municipal, industrial and agricultural wastes, and from commercial seafaring activities.
INTRODUCTION
Water is the most vital element among the natural resources, and is crucial for the survival of all living organisms. The environment, economic growth and development of Bangladesh are all highly influenced by water - its regional and seasonal availability, and the quality of surface and groundwater. Spatial and seasonal availability of surface and groundwater is highly responsive to the monsoon climate and physiography of the country. Availability also depends on upstream withdrawal for consumptive and nonconsumptive uses. In terms of quality, the surface water of the country is unprotected from untreated industrial effluents and municipal wastewater, runoff pollution from chemical fertilizers and pesticides, and oil and lube spillage in the coastal area from the operation of sea and river ports. Bangladesh is the lower riparian of three major river systems, the Ganges-Padma, the Brahmaputra-Jamuna and the Meghna. The aquatic environment for living organisms can be affected and bioaccumulation of harmful substances in the water-dependent food chain can occur. A variation of inland surface water quality is noticed due to seasonal variation of river flow, operation ofindustrial units and use of agrochemicals. Overall, inland surface water quality in the monsoon season is within tolerable limit with respect to the standard set by the Department of Environment (DoE).
Causes of Water Pollution
The major causes of degradation of inland water quality are related to land based activities, when adequate regulatory measures are not incorporated and the stakeholders do not show proper concern. The underlying driving forces for this are poverty, an unhealthy national economy, lack of institutional strength, and lack of awareness and education. Pollutants that enter the marine and coastal environment originate on land in the form of runoff from municipal, industrial and agricultural wastes, and from commercial seafaring activities.
References: * BBS (1990) Statistical Year Book of Bangladesh, Bangladesh Bureau of Statistic, Ministry of Planning, Dhaka, Bangladesh. * BBS (1992) Statistical Year Book of Bangladesh, Bangladesh Bureau of Statistic, Ministry of Planning, Dhaka, Bangladesh. * BBS (1994) Statistical Year Book of Bangladesh,Bangladesh Bureau of Statistic, Ministry of Planning, Dhaka, Bangladesh. * BBS (1998) Statistical Year Book of Bangladesh, Bangladesh Bureau of Statistic, Ministry of Planning, * DHV (1998) Meghna Estuary Study, Draft Master Plan, Volume 1, Main Report for BWDB, Dhaka, Bangladesh. * WARPO (1999a) Topic Paper 4, National Water Management Plan Project, Ministry of Water Resource, * WARPO (1999b) Topic Paper 7, National Water Management Plan Project, Ministry of Water Resource, Government of Bangladesh. * WARPO (2000a), Annex G: Environment, National Water Management Plan Project, Ministry of Water Resource,