Assessment and treatment of arsenic contaminated tube well water from selected areas in Kyaunggon Township, Ayeyarwady Region, Myanmar

Abstract

Arsenic contamination of tube well water has become the greatest health threat to the people. This cross-sectional analytic study aimed to find out the prevalence of arsenic contaminated wells in selected areas of Kyaunggon Township, to increase the arsenic awareness and to construct the low-cost arsenic reducing Gravel Sand Filter (GSF) for household use. The water samples were tested for arsenic and other parameters. About 66% (63/96) tube wells of depth between 12 to 183 meters had arsenic concentration more than 10 ppb and moreover 42 out of 63 tube wells had depth between 30 to 90 meters. Therefore, this depth range should be avoided for tube well construction in that area. About 67.7 % (65/96) had iron concentration more than 0.3 ppm, 74 % (71/96) had manganese concentration more than 0.4 ppm and 4.1 % (4/96) had phosphate concentration more than 4 ppm according to WHO drinking water quality guideline. These results were disseminated to basic health staff, teachers and students from respective areas. GSF was constructed and demonstrated to villagers. Widely using of this removal method in arsenic contaminated areas will partly contribute towards the safe water supply and promote the community health.