A social enterprise addresses the water problem in the coastal areas of Bangladesh

 


In Bangladesh, over 20 million of the country’s population in coastal rural areas have no access to safe drinking water. The water issues that constantly affect the communities include arsenic contamination of groundwater, salinity issue caused by climate change, water-borne diseases, and having to spend considerable time fetching water from ponds in distant areas. In the coastal areas of Bangladesh, the annual average rainfall is more than 2000mm and further, the rainwater is free from arsenic, iron, salinity, and less contamination of germs than pond water.

A survey conducted by the Institute of Sky Water harvesting in 2011 in coastal areas of Bangladesh found that the average expenditure on medical expenses to treat water borne diseases and for buying water including transportation was close to 3000Tk. It also meant that if brought  a tank for 3000 Tk, they could reduce their overall household costs for water and medical treatment.

The Institute of Sky Water Harvesting started a pilot project of AMAMIZU social enterprise in cooperation with JICA and PR Bangladesh (local NGO) in 2012. The price of AMAMIZU, including installation and gutter pipe was 3000 TK and transportation was 1300 TK. The total selling price of AMAMIZU systems was 4300TK. A flexible payment method was introduced and upon making a payment of 2000TK, AMAMIZU /rainwater harvesting systems were installed. The local community who made the initial payment and got the rainwater harvesting system installed reimbursed the rest within 6 months. The pilot project was successful, 200 AMAMIZU were sold and installed.

Following the pilot project, Skywater Bangladesh (SB) Ltd. was established to tackle the social enterprise of sky water harvesting. AMAMIZU production center which has a training center to develop skilled masons was opened. A production manual of AMAMIZU was prepared for quality control. A Flyer that covers the baseline survey result was made and used for marketing and awareness. The total number of AMAMIZU produced reached 4000 in March 2021.

Extended abstract submitted to the SARNET Conference – “Looming Water Crisis and Climate Change in South Asia; Rainwater Harvesting as an Adaptation Strategy” by  Dr. Makoto Murase, Secretary-General of People for Rainwater, Japan

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