Safe drinking water and arsenic in tube wells

Two kinds of danger Water can carry two kinds of danger. Germs, which cause diarrhoea, cholera, typhoid and jaundice; and arsenic, which occurs naturally in groundwater. Arsenic water looks, smells and tastes no different, but drunk over many years it can cause skin spots, hardened palms and soles, and serious illness.

Arsenic in tube wells - Find out whether your tube well has been tested. Wells used to be tested and painted red (arsenic) or green (safe); if the paint has worn off, or the well is new, get it tested again. - For a test, contact the upazila public health engineering office. - Do not drink or cook with water from a red well; it can be used for things like washing clothes and bathing. - Fetch drinking water from a safe source: a well tested safe, a deep tube well, or rainwater properly collected. - Remember: boiling does not remove arsenic. - If you see skin spots or hardening palms, see a doctor.

Against germs - Boil water from a pond, river or doubtful source well before drinking: let it come to a rolling boil and keep it boiling a little longer. - Keep water in a clean, covered vessel; pour it or use a mug, never dip a hand or glass. - If you use water purification tablets, follow the instructions on the packet. - If a tube well went under in a flood, once the water recedes pump it hard to flush it, and ask the public health engineering office for advice.

With diarrhoea, drink oral saline, and ask a doctor by phone: Shasthya Batayon 16263. To get your area's wells tested, join the "Arsenic tube well check" task on this site.