A professor at Rajshahi University (RU) in collaboration with a Japanese researcher has developed a technology to remove arsenic from groundwater, creating hope of mitigating the country’s arsenic problem to a great extent.
“We have already adopted measures of installing the technology in some arsenic-infected areas in Rajshahi region,” said Prof Monzur Hossain of the botany department at RU.
Prof Monzur Hossain and Prof Tom Bury Kaoakami from the Department of Water Engineering in Japan’s Toyama University have jointly designed the technology namely ‘Removal of Arsenic through Electronic System’ after five-year-long intensive research.
The device developed using local raw materials can either be powered by a battery or with an AC adapter (Alternating Current connection).
Local electricians can manufacture the device at a cost of Tk8,000 to Tk10,000 and the machine is capable of removing arsenic from 20-30 litres of water at a time.
Talking about the implementation of this technology, Prof Hossain said a pilot project will be launched at Moharajpur village in Chapainawabganj by next month. The project will not discharge any harmful waste and cause harm to public health or the environment, he added.