Affiliations: Department of Geography and Environmental Studies,
Faculty of Biological Sciences University of Chittagong, Chittagong –
4331, Bangladesh | Bangladesh Council of Scientific and Industrial
Research (BCSIR) Laboratory Chittagong – 4220, Bangladesh
Abstract: Drinking water quality in urban Bangladesh is at high risk. The
port city of Chittagong is not only facing the problem of inadequate water
supply but also serious threat due mainly to the scarcity of safe water. This
paper attempts to characterize and analyze the supply water quality in
Chittagong Metropolitan City (CMC) from health and environmental perspective
using a set of parameters: physical, chemical and micro-biological. The paper
focuses on key challenges facing the sector today, especially in the provision
of urban water service delivery. The thrust there has been to identify
weaknesses in current water supply management, and explore options to address
the chronic lack of service provisions. The overall finding is that the
dwellers of CMC have been suffering from irregular, inadequate and unsafe water
supply due mainly because of inefficient management practices. The situation is
worse in low income residential areas. Regular monitoring of water quality
along the distribution networks, timely repair and maintenance, improving
information systems, uses of advanced technology, provisions for staff
training, awareness building among users and stakeholders, and promotion of
community-based co-management governing systems have been strongly suggested.
Keywords: Water quality, environment, contamination, health impacts, monitoring, management
