Ecofriends, arsenic remediation project in Uttar Pradesh

Ecofriends-Miyasaki university: BAMP Project

Equipe terrain :

1 social and cultural coordinator, link with village communities – member of Ecofriends

2 field works– member of Ecofriends

3 people for administration staff – member of Ecofriends

1 driver – member of Ecofriends

1 engineer – Technical project mnager – Miyazaki University

Sponsor-Project leader :

Ecofriends president, Rakesh K. Jaiswal

Technical Director– Pr Yokata – Miyazaki University

Objectives of the project: Providing a source of water free from arsenic (or below WHO guideline) in 7 highly contaminated areas of Bahraich district

History of the projet : A global study about water quality have been realized by Uttar Pradesh Universities in 2003 (School of Environmental Studies, Jadhavpur University : SOES-JU). The sampling plan was to take one sample from area containing 1 to 10 sources, 2 samples from area with more than 10 sources.

The analyses were done in field by Arsenic testkit as Merckoquant or Arsenator. Ten pourcents of samples were analyzed by Atomic Absorption Spectroscopy (AAS) which is a real quantitative analysis. If a sample result is over 250 µg/L, tubewells of the entire area are tested. This study supported by UNICEF was focused on 17 districts. 12% of tubewells have arsenic concentration over 50 µg/L (Indian Guideline for drinking water).

In 2005, Myazaki University was seeking a local partner to implement a new technology for arsenic treatment in water. Ecofriends NGO has been proposed as an active local partner and local coordinator.

Solutions used to reduce drinking water contamination in Uttar Pradesh :

1 – Deep tubewells (> 90 meters)

2 – Dug wells with filters

3 – Arsenic removal by natural oxidation of dissolved iron, formation of ferric precipitate which adsorb arsenic. BAMP project implement that solution. Selected tubewells have a Fe/As ratio over 15. Conditions are really good for that technology.

Filtration unit :

The device work in two steps:

First aeration of the water and oxidation of iron

Then filtration by three filters using large gravels, fine gravels and then sand filtration. It removes arsenic and iron by precipitation and filtration.

Finally water is stored in a tank for villages use.

Wastes are evacuated using drain. They are stored in a waste tank or thrown on the ground.

Financial support:

Project supported for 2 years by Myasaki University in a Technology Transfer section. The end of the two years arrived soon. The future financial support of the project is not known.

Analysis and filter monitoring:

Filter monitoring is done periodically (every 15 days), the same day for every filter. Arsenic concentration is measured in raw water and filtered water. Measurement is made with arsenator and Merck Testkit. Analyses are made on field, no samples kept for further analysis. Reference analysis is arsenator (discrepancy between Merck and arsenator test kit occurred when I follow the work). Sampling and analysis of 7 filtration units required 5 workers during 4-5 hours.

Remarks:

1) Sampling protocol for laboratory analysis (as AAS analysis) is not well known and documented (acid volume, pH control). Iron precipitates are a real risk of error in that kind of sample.

2) Distance between sampling points, analysis duration of preparation involved a team of 5 workers for 7 filtration units. The time to realize all the analysis is around 4-5 hours.

Positive : presence in villages, activism, sensibilisation

Negative: loss of time, low efficiency, low villages interest

Awareness

1) Some villages used tubewells near filtration units which mean they have not understood the real concern of the device. Awareness program must be continuing.

2) Pumping marking (color mark) has disappeared. I was unable to say which pump is contaminated and which is not contaminated. To avoid a loss of information and a loss for local people, a new painting campaign is required to reinforce that visual information (red pump = no good, green pump = safe).

Filtration units results

1) The results of filtration device were excellent, below 10 µg/L. So efficiency of filtration units was excellent

2) Only one system is equipped with a waste storage dug well. Others wastes are thrown on the ground which is not really suitable without proper studies of waste leachability. Waste can be a source of contamination in the followings years, a special care should be taken regarding these residues.

Bilan:

The project is a good project with an excellent team which coordinates both technical and awareness work in Bahraich. Technical results are excellent however waste disposal can be upgraded. Awareness work takes more time. Explaining to village the risk which occurred if they drink arsenic contaminated water is difficult and will take time more than a technical study.

The technical study show good results for treatment plant however a long-term awareness work is required to explain, convince and make people responsible of their device.

For more information on EcoFriends:

Website: http://www.ecofriends.org/