Water Keepers Bangladesh: Shyampur water has worst water quality
High amount of chemicals and pollutants are rendering the water unfit for use, speakers said
Bank of the Buriganga river is full of waste in this photo taken recently Rajib Dhar/Dhaka Tribune
Tribune Desk
Publish : 19 Jan 2022, 10:37 PMUpdate : 19 Jan 2022, 10:37 PM
The water in the Buriganga in Dhaka’s Shyampur area is steadily becoming unfit for drinking and usage, ranking the lowest in the Water Quality Index (WQI) during a test, says Water Keepers Bangladesh Consortium.
The findings were unveiled in a media call on dying industry and pollution in Shyampur on Tuesday.
The consortium, aimed at stopping and preventing water pollution, tested water from places where the Shyampur dying industry waste is dumped on a regular basis.
The study found extremely high amounts of chemicals in the waters that not only make it unfit for drinking but put marine life at risk, said Stamford University Bangladesh Environmental Science Department Chairman Ahmed Kamruzzaman.
The study found that water at Shyampur is at the lowest level of the Water Quality Index (WQI), he said.
The test found the pH level in the waters in the pre-monsoon, monsoon and post-monsoon season to be 7.6, 6.7 and 8.5 respectively.
A Total Suspendable Solids (TSS) test found that the levels vary within 108, 57 and 195 depending on the seasons whereas the standard value should be 10.
The high TSS level means that solid debris accumulates at the bottom, hindering the growth of aquatic plants.
A COD test showed that the levels in the water are 190, 227 and 276 in the pre-monsoon, monsoon and post-monsoon season respectively, which is many folds above the standard 4 value.
An examination of the biological oxygen demand or BOD levels showed that the levels are 8, 82, and 106, respectively, which is higher than the standard 0.2 indicating low amount of oxygen in the water.
Tests also found high amounts of ammonia and grease in the water, which indicates pollution and hinders entry of natural light in the water.
High levels of phenol were also found which is poisoning the water and leading to diarrhea and lasting liver diseases.
“You don’t need to test the Buriganga waters in Shyampur. The water itself shows it with its pink colour,” said Water Keepers Consortium Coordinator Sharif Jamil.
He added that while they do not want the dying industries to shut down, they want sustainable development that will restore rivers to their former glory.
He called for a responsible disposal of waste and effective steps to save the rivers.
Water Keepers Bangladesh: Shyampur water has worst water quality
High amount of chemicals and pollutants are rendering the water unfit for use, speakers said
The water in the Buriganga in Dhaka’s Shyampur area is steadily becoming unfit for drinking and usage, ranking the lowest in the Water Quality Index (WQI) during a test, says Water Keepers Bangladesh Consortium.
The findings were unveiled in a media call on dying industry and pollution in Shyampur on Tuesday.
The consortium, aimed at stopping and preventing water pollution, tested water from places where the Shyampur dying industry waste is dumped on a regular basis.
The study found extremely high amounts of chemicals in the waters that not only make it unfit for drinking but put marine life at risk, said Stamford University Bangladesh Environmental Science Department Chairman Ahmed Kamruzzaman.
The study found that water at Shyampur is at the lowest level of the Water Quality Index (WQI), he said.
The test found the pH level in the waters in the pre-monsoon, monsoon and post-monsoon season to be 7.6, 6.7 and 8.5 respectively.
A Total Suspendable Solids (TSS) test found that the levels vary within 108, 57 and 195 depending on the seasons whereas the standard value should be 10.
The high TSS level means that solid debris accumulates at the bottom, hindering the growth of aquatic plants.
A COD test showed that the levels in the water are 190, 227 and 276 in the pre-monsoon, monsoon and post-monsoon season respectively, which is many folds above the standard 4 value.
An examination of the biological oxygen demand or BOD levels showed that the levels are 8, 82, and 106, respectively, which is higher than the standard 0.2 indicating low amount of oxygen in the water.
Tests also found high amounts of ammonia and grease in the water, which indicates pollution and hinders entry of natural light in the water.
High levels of phenol were also found which is poisoning the water and leading to diarrhea and lasting liver diseases.
“You don’t need to test the Buriganga waters in Shyampur. The water itself shows it with its pink colour,” said Water Keepers Consortium Coordinator Sharif Jamil.
He added that while they do not want the dying industries to shut down, they want sustainable development that will restore rivers to their former glory.
He called for a responsible disposal of waste and effective steps to save the rivers.