A recent outbreak of diarrhoea in Chittagong has raised concerns among residents, with many alleging that the excessive saline and contaminated water supplied by the Water Supply and Sewerage Authority (Wasa) has led to the spread of diarrhoea in the city.
From 8 am on Friday to 8am on Saturday, 232 people falling victim to diarrhoea were admitted to different hospitals in Chittagong.
Earlier, from 8am on Wednesday to 8am on Thursday, 421 patients had been admitted.
According to district Civil Surgeon Dr Mohammad Ilyas Chowdhury, many of the affected patients have tested positive for cholera bacteria.
According to experts, 30-35% of diarrhoea patients have been found to have cholera bacteria in their bodies.
Meanwhile, a three-member investigation committee was formed to find out the cause of the recent diarrhoea outbreak in Chittagong.
Residents suffer from saline-contaminated water supply
Chittagong residents have been consuming saline water supplied by Wasa for the past two months.
Over the last two weeks, the water has become contaminated with waste and foul odours.
Residents have voiced their concerns over the quality of water supplied by Wasa, suspecting it to be the primary reason for the diarrhoea outbreak.
Shafiqul Alam Mubin, one of many residents of the Hamjarbag area of the city, complained that the salinity level is escalating daily, coupled with dirt and a foul stench in the water supply.
“We are suffering from various diseases due to drinking and using contaminated water. Two members of my family are affected by diarrhoea,” Shafiqul lamented.
Bangla Tribune“There are diarrhoea patients in every house in the area and some of those severely affected are seeking treatment in hospitals,” he said.
Although local residents informed the Wasa authorities about the water quality, no positive results have been obtained, he complained.
Jannatul Nauwar Norzin has described a similar situation in Bahaddarhat Chandgaon residential area, where people have been consuming saline water as well.
“We have been dealing with dirt and foul-smelling water for several weeks now. We are forced to buy bottled water every day as we cannot drink the water supplied by Wasa,” she said in a bitter tone.
“Even after paying the Wasa bill, we are spending an additional Tk3,000-Tk4,000 per month to buy drinkable water, which is an outrage. Our household expenses have increased and we are not getting any solutions,” she complained.
What do experts say?
Experts have warned that the saline, contaminated, and foul-smelling water supplied by Wasa could potentially cause diarrhoea, dehydration and kidney diseases.
Each day, over 200 people are admitted to various hospitals suffering from diarrhoea, turning this into a serious cause for concern.
Prof Idris Ali, a researcher on the Karnaphuli River and former chemistry teacher at Chittagong Government College, expressed concerns over the deadly salinity of Wasa-supplied water causing diarrhoea.
“If the salinity level reaches 350-400 milligrams per litre, it can be harmful to humans, especially for children and the elderly. Consumption of this water can lead to diarrhoea, dehydration and kidney diseases,” he said.
Former vice principal of Chittagong Medical College and kidney disease specialist, Pradip Kumar Dutta, shares a similar concern.
Highlighting the detrimental effects of excessive salinity on the human body, he said: "There is a risk of contracting diarrhoea, dehydration and kidney diseases from consuming highly saline water."
What does Chittagong Wasa say?
When asked why the water is so contaminated and foul-smelling, Chittagong Wasa Chief Engineer Maksud Alam said the water distributed by Wasa to various locations in Chittagong originates from the Halda and Karnaphuli rivers, both of which are experiencing increased salinity and a decrease in freshwater.
“Due to the prolonged lack of rainfall, the water level at the Kaptai Hydroelectric Power Plant has dropped, reducing water discharge. As a result, the saline water from the Karnaphuli River is entering the Halda River during high tide, which is why we are receiving highly saline water,” he said.
Stating that the salinity level at the point in Halda River where the Mohara Water Treatment Plant collects water has increased, Maksud Alam said: “Even after purification, the salinity level in the supplied water remains between 350-400 milligrams per litre.”
“I am not sure whether this is causing people to suffer from diarrhoea or not,” he added.
Acknowledging the increased salinity in the Wasa water, Chittagong Wasa Managing Director Engineer AKM Fazlullah held out the assurance that the situation will not persist.
“Once it starts raining, the water quality will improve,” he said.
Bangla TribuneAccording to Wasa sources, the Mohara Water Treatment Plant started operating in 1987. Salinity in the water supply was detected for the first time in 1995.
Salinity was once again detected in 2007 and 2009, which prompted the formation of a technical committee to address the issue in 2009.
The committee made several short-term and long-term recommendations, including releasing extra water from the Kaptai reservoir during the new moon and full moon phases to counteract salinity in river water.
The Kaptai Hydroelectric Power Plant was instructed to prepare for this during the rainy season.
However, Wasa officials reported that no action had been taken by the Power Development Board (PDB) on this matter.