Storing rainwater and better hygiene

Children at Talimpur community school, where hygiene is part of the curriculum [Julie Bubbers]

The NGO Forum for Drinking Water Supply and Sanitation is one of the main organisations working to improve water supplies in poorly-served areas of Bangladesh

In Bangladesh, although 98 per cent of the population has access to wells or taps, only 70 per cent are currently drinking safe water.

The falling water table, increasing salinity (salt levels in the water) and naturally occurring arsenic in underground water all pose threats to drinking-water supplies. New technology is urgently needed to address these threats.

Another high priority is the development of low-cost, hygienic latrines in villages.

The NGO Forum has installed 55 rainwater-harvesting systems to store rainwater for drinking and 15 arsenic-removal plants to provide arsenic-free water.

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