Arsenic-hit Bengal village adopts French model for safe water

Posted on 3rd Feb 2015 12:14 pm by mohit kumar

Kolkata, Feb 2 (IANS) Thanks to an innovative French technology that purifies contaminated water from lakes and ponds, residents of an arsenic-contaminated village in West Bengal now have access to safe drinking water.

Not only that, inhabitants of Madhusudan Kanti village in Gaighata block of North 24 Parganas district are also packaging the safe water and selling it to neighbouring villages, a release said.

"This is an innovative model from a joint venture of Sulabh International and French organisation 1001 Fontaines, which through various stages of purification provides safe drinking water from any water body like rivers or ponds.

"This is the first time in the world that we have succeeded in producing pure drinking water at a very nominal cost with this new technology and villagers may get direct benefit," Sulabh founder Bindeshwar Pathak said in the statement.

The water purification process has a capacity to produce 8,000 litres of potable water per day at a cost of 10 paise (Rs.0.10).

"It will be sold at 50 paise after including other costs like distribution, storing, etc. Even people in neighbouring villages can also safely use this water," Pathak said.

The pilot project was initiated in three Bengal districts - North 24 Parganas, Murshidabad and Nadia - a few months ago and trial runs proved successful.

The installation cost of the machine comes to Rs.20 lakh, which was shared between the two organisations and the villagers.

"The villagers and local NGOs are going to maintain it. It is a self-sustainable project with active participation from the villagers and will generate employment," Pathak said.

According to the World Health Organization, drinking arsenic-rich water over a long period results in various health hazards, including skin problems, skin cancer, cancer of the bladder, kidney and lung, besides other diseases.

Other news

Agneepath Scheme: 'Process going on before independence' Rajnath said on caste dispute in Agneepath scheme

Defense Minister Rajnath Singh himself has come forward on the questions raised regarding the dem

Roaring rally of farmers in Delhi today: Bharatiya Kisan Sangh will protest against the non-fulfillment of demands, and farmers will gather from all over the country

Bharatiya Kisan Sangh (BKS) will protest against the central government at Delhi's Ramlila Maidan

England coach Moores may lose job: Collingwood

London, Feb 19 (IANS) Former England captain Paul Collingwood has said Peter Moores may lose hi

President to honour Satyarthi, Gulzar at PU convocation

Chandigarh, March 11 (IANS) President Pranab Mukherjee will honour six people from various fiel

Another action by Bangladesh after the arrest of the saint, the bank accounts of 16 ISKCON members frozen

According to Bangladesh media reports, on Friday (November 29), Bangladesh authorities ordered th

Lawrence gang shooters were present on Munawwar's flight: a Hotel in Delhi was also raided, comedian targeted due to Salman and his statements.

After the murder of NCP leader Baba Siddiqui, comedian Munawar Farooqui is now the target of gang

Omicron Effect: Center gave strict instructions, asked states to increase tests, know what are the guidelines in 8 points

The effect of the atmosphere of concern created around the world regarding the new variant of Cor

Sri Lanka does not want to become Bangladesh: Finance Minister said- poor countries should avoid China's debt trap; Now Bangladesh-Nepal is in danger of bankruptcy

A statement by Bangladesh Finance Minister Mustafa Kamal told the world the reality of China. Mus

Delhi polls between promise-keepers and liars: Amit Shah

New Delhi, Feb 5 (IANS) BJP president Amit Shah Thursday said the Delhi election was a fight be

IND vs SA Final Pitch Report: Who will get help at Kensington Oval, bowler or batsman? Know the pitch report

The final match of the T20 World Cup 2024 will be played between South Africa and India. The matc