Spring
2001
Assessment
Of Water Supply, Sanitation And Solid Waste Management Of A Slum Area In Dhaka
City
Mohammed
Abu Shahriar
Now a days slums are an
integral part of Dhaka city. At present 19.4% of the total population of Dhaka
city live in slums (CUS, 1996). Due to poverty of the slum dwellers, they are
unable to maintain the minimum standard of living. The environmental conditions
of the slums are not good as well. Based
on the information of DSK (secondary data), the existing situation reflects that
the coverage of the water supply is 99% from DWASA and 1% from the tube well;
sanitary latrine practice is 40% and pit latrine 60% in the selected slum. The
solid wastes are collected and disposed in the traditional way, which is not
satisfactory. This is an innovative observation that reflects the water supply,
solid waste management and sanitation of an old and well-established slum in
Dhaka city. Various technical and socioeconomic parameters, which
are related to the situations, are used for this study. On the basis of
technical analysis & questionnaire survey it was found that the overall
environmental situation is very poor in this slum. To improve the present
situation, slum dwellers participation should be ensured with initiatives for
the development of the existing water supply & sanitation. Number of water
points with desired quality and sanitary latrine should be increased. For the
solid wastes that are generated by the slum, the BIOGAS PLANT can be a useful
solution for the dwellers. Moreover the health and hygiene practices and the
environmental pollution, extensive educational programs and publicity through
mass media, poster and motivational lectures should be arranged so as to
increase the awareness of the slum dwellers. |