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Group-D

Section:20

Assignment Title : Pollution of rivers around Dhaka


Submitted by :
# Rahat Pervez

#ID: 1520229642

# Sinthia Sharin Chowdhury

#ID: 1520340642

# Md. Fahad Arafin

#ID:1520319042

# Md. Asaduzzaman Sakib

#ID: 1521705642

# Mitu Rani Das

#ID:1512383642

Submitted to:
Instructor: Aurchie Rahman, Lecturer
Department of Biology & Chemistry
Submitted date:22-03-2016

#River pollution and Dhaka City

Answered by Rahat Pervez


#Causes of river pollution
Answered by Sinthia Sharin Chowdhury
#Effects of river pollution in Dhaka
Answered by Md. Fahad arafin
#What should we do to control river pollution in Dhaka ?
Answered by Md. Asaduzzaman Sakib
# How should I Contribute to Make the Rivers Clean ?
Answered by Mitu rani das

##River pollution and Dhaka City


Dhaka, the capital city of Bangladesh has its fair share of problems like over
population,traffic jam,load shedding etc.However,the problem of water pollution has
never been contemplated like it has been in recent times,Experts have expressed their

concerns over this issue time and again and they are trying their level best to get the
governments as well as the publics attention.The following discussion is to give the
readers a little prospective of this situation.There are six rivers located around the
capita.Buriganga is the main with Turag canal,balu and Shitalakshya,These rivers are
surrounding Dhaka(Including Naraynganj city) in a circular path termed as circular water
way.This path covers a length of almost 110 k.m.Hardly any city in the world has this
privilege of having a water way like Dhaka.This makes this city unique and
phenomenal.Having read this one would imagine this city to be a paradise full of
beauty.In reality this is about to beome impossible to live in because of its rivers choked
with wastes and the toxic air which causes many of the people to be sick.

Around Dhaka, river water has altered from its natural state in terms of physical, chemical
and microbiological composition and lost its suitability for any safe and beneficial use. The
signs of contamination have become obvious through bad taste, offensive odours, unchecked
growth of aquatic weeds, and decrease in the number of aquatic animals, floating of oil and
grease, colouration of water and so on. Generally, rivers surrounding Dhaka are being
polluted by the discharge of untreated industrial effluent, urban wastewater, agrochemicals,
sewage water, storm runoff, solid waste dumping, oil spillage, sedimentation and also
encroachment.
Over the last couple of decades major industrialisation has been observed in Dhaka,
especially in dyeing, washing and textiles sectors. Estimation reveals that there are over
7,000 industries in Dhaka metropolitan area located mostly in three clusters, namely,
Hazaribagh, Tejgaon, and Dhaka- Narayanganj- Demra dam area. However, among all these
the dyeing factories and tanneries are the main polluters of the rivers. Waste from these
industries is usually connected to the sewerage system that directly follows to the rivers
around the city. As a matter of fact, the rivers have become a dumping ground of all kinds of
solid,
liquid
and
other
chemical
waste.
Dhaka city has been growing without much of plan and the city lacks systematic waste
management system as well. Dhaka generates around 0.4 to 0.7 kilograms of solid waste per
capita per day but the Dhaka City Corporation (DCC), the main agency responsible for

collection, transportation and disposal of the waste cannot manage the task properly with its
existing limited logistics. The per capita waste collected in Dhaka per day is 0.2 kilograms.
The waste which is not managed by the DCC is dumped into the rivers by the people living
near
the
river
banks.
The rivers, which perform the task of natural drainage for the city are also being polluted as
rain water sweeps into them all the waste dumped here and there of the city. Furthermore,
liquid waste produced in the city is being poured in the rivers untreated. Of the discharged
untreated liquid waste, 61 percent is industrial and 39 percent domestic. However, the lone
Sewerage Treatment Plant (SWP) situated in Pagla of Narayanganj can treat only 10 percent
of the industrial waste. Moreover, Dhaka WASA utilizes the existing canals and sewerage
pipes to collect waste water from different residential areas and depose, most of it, into
surrounding rivers without any treatment. Apart from domestic and industrial waste, oil and
other chemicals which are spilled into the rivers from launches, steamers, and trawlers are
also polluting river water. Besides in Dhaka contamination of water is occurring from human
excreta as well, as 70 percent of the population of the city does not have access to improved
sanitation
facilities.
Encroachment on rivers is a common practice in Bangladesh. Most of the natural drainages
of Dhaka City disappeared or are in way to due to illegal encroachment. Encroachment on
the rivers through unauthorized construction and dumping of solid waste in clearence of
regulations to prevent encroachment making it difficult to drain out the runoff and the
pollutants i.e., added particles remaining in the rivers keep polluting the environment.
Polluted water of Buriganga, Turag, Dhaleshwari, Balu, and Narai flowing around the greater
Dhaka city is posing serious threats to public life as it is unfit for human use (Institute for
Environment and Development Studies, 2003). People living near the rivers, having no other
alternative, are forced to use polluted river water. Some also use the water because they are
unaware of the health risks. This causes spread of water borne and skin diseases. Solid waste
and different effluents dumped into the rivers make it difficult for fishes and other subaquatic organisms to live. When solid waste and effluents run into the river, the Biological
Oxygen Demand (BOD) in the water rises, creating oxygen crisis for the sub aqueous life. As
the dissolved oxygen (DO) content of the river water is decreased below the critical level of
four milligrams per liter it is posing threats to bio-diversity in and around the rivers.
Pollution is so severe in the Buriganga, Shitalakhya and Balu rivers that it is almost
impossible to treat the water for making it suitable for human use. The Water and Sewerage
Authority (WASA) is supplying stinky water purified by chlorine and ammonia sulfate.
Moreover, due to river encroachment and dumping of solid waste into the rivers the rivers are
loosing their natural flow. Thus, the waterways are shrinking and the alternative way of
communication around Dhaka city through rivers turned unsuccessful.

#Name : Rahat Pervez

#ID : 1520229642

##Causes of river pollution


There is no sign of river pollution being stopped. It is increasing day by day.

There are
several sources of water pollution, which work together to reduce overall
river water
quality. Industries discharge their liquid waste products into rivers. Our
agriculture practice that uses chemical fertilizers and pesticides also contribute to river
pollution as rainwater drains these chemicals into the rivers. Domestic wastes that we
throw into rivers adds to pollution levels. As population grows, the size of towns and
cities also grows. With that the amount of domestic wastes that we throw into river
increases. In most of the towns and cities, the municipal drains carry our wastes to rivers.
There are examples of rivers catching fire because of high pollution levels. This shows
how seriously polluted our rivers are. In our everyday life we can easily see symptoms of
river pollution.

The floating dead fishes in our river, any coloured water in the river, or a bad smell from
the river point towards river pollution. If you see or feel any of these things in a
river be sure that the river is a victim of pollution. River pollution can be due to the
causes below:

#acid rain:
Rain falling through polluted air absorbs some of the pollutants. Polluted air contains
many poisonous gases such as sulphur di-oxide (SO2), oxide of nitrogen (NOx)
etc. that
react with rainwater to form acids. We call this acid rain. On reaching the ground
the
acidic rain water has many effects. It can release harmful substances such as
aluminium
and heavy metals from the soil.These are normally present chemicals or
liquid manure
enter rivers, the amount of oxygen in the water reduces. Without
sufficient oxygen no
life form can survive in a water body. It also permanently changes
the nature of river.

#Oil Pollution:
Careless people can also pollute rivers and harm wildlife by pouring things like used car
oil and paint into drains. If oil enters a slow-moving river it forms a rainbow-coloured
film over the entire surface preventing oxygen from entering the water. As mentioned
above, without oxygen the river is biologically dead.

# Industrial pollution:
Lot of industrial wastes discharged into water are mixtures of chemicals, which are
difficult to clean up. Increase of the heavy metals in industrial waste water that
drains into rivers has resulted in severe river pollution. Some industrial wastes are so toxic
that if they are not immediately and strictly controlled then it will become
very
expensive later to deal with. Some industries try to cut the costs of safety measures by

illegally dumping chemicals at places where they think they will not be caught. These
dumped wastes then runs off into river alongwith rain water.

# Other sources of pollution:


Phosphorus from household waste water and sewage is another powerful pollutant. It
comes from detergents and stays in rivers for a long time where it takes up
valuable
oxygen. Only few sewage systems are equipped to remove phosphates.
Disposal of solid waste, plastic bags and flower garlands into rivers. People defecating
in open and near rivers contribute to river pollution.
Animals washing and wallowing in the river
The practice of dumping human remains in the river also poses health threats because of
the unsustainable rate at which partially burned bodies are dumped. The dumped dead
bodies of people suffering from certain infectious diseases spread pollution and
epidemics.In an inert and harmless state, but acidic conditions result into many
compounds poisonous to plant and animal life. When washed into rivers, lakes and
streams they can kill small water creatures and fish.

#Name: Sinthia Sharin Chowdhury


#ID: 1520340642

##Effects of river pollution in Dhaka


There is little flow of water in the rivers around the Dhaka,They are filled human
and industrial wastes.Various kinds of virus and bacteria are mixed in the water that can
cause deadly diseases.Sounds surprising,but some of the rivers are in worse condition
than the sewerage lines.The flowing water in sewerage lines helps wash out most
Of the wastes before they start to decay.This is not the case in rivers.Specially,the rivers
Turag,Buriganga,Tongi canal and balu do not flow in dry season.As a result,these rivers
act a septic tank containing the wastes that are piling up every day.These wastes
decomposed in the river water are making the surrounding environment polluted and also
filling the river bed with full of sludge.The water in these rivers cannot be used for
washing,bathing,drinking and various purposes.Not even animanls can drink the water.
The amount of oxygen is decreasing in the river water making it hard for the aquatic
animals and fishes to live in the water.At O0 centigrade the amount of oxygen in sweet
water is 14.62 mg/l,at 300 it is 7.63 mg/l.But in the four rivers mentioned before,the
amount of oxygen was found almost 0m.g. at various points during March to May.Water
is taken from Buriganga and Shitalakshya and delivered to the city dwellers of
chadnighat and demra
by WASA.But the amount of dissolved oxygen and
BOD(Biological Oxygen Demand) in the water should be at a rate that is good enough to

treat this water conventionally and make it ready for supply.In dry season the amount of
oxygen is too less and the amount of BOD is too high than the necessary rate in these two
rivers.This makes the water nothing but poison which is nearly impossible to be used for
supply.Astonishingly,the water is being delivered to the citizens of Dhaka every day.

**(polluted water of rivers)**

#Major effects of river pollution:


There is strong co-relation between disease & pollutions.Industrial pollution is wide
spread & easily affecting drinking water. Health care cost of pollution represents 21.5%
of annual income in Hazaribag area. Jaundice, Skin diseases and diarrhea are very high in
watershed areas.Male and Children are more affected in watershed areas.Male is more
affected by jaundice than women.Infants in control area are less affected by Jaundice and
diarrhea.There is co-relation between jaundice & diarrhea in watershed areas. Major
source of water contamination are from piped supply.Productivity of Boro rice has
declined in 63% of cases. Productivity loss of land is estimated to be 40%.Vegetable
cultivation in river beds is severely damaged by polluted water.There is no fishing
activity in dry season in rivers and canals in greater Dhaka. In rainy season some fishes
appear here with insignificant reduction in amount but number of species is declining.
Thus the rice-vegetable-fish reduction is affecting nutrition.

#Name: Md. Fahad arafin

#ID: 1520319042

##What should we do to control river pollution in _


Dhaka ?
According to experts, the population of Dhaka in 1990 was 6 million and the
BOD load of the rivers were 121 mega tons per day. The projected population and BOD
load of Dhaka in 2010 is 12.6 million and 305 mega tons per day. But during this time the
capacity of the WASAs water treatment plant situated in pagla, Naryanganj has not been
increased much. As a result of the damage of the sewerage lines in different places, the
treatment plant at pagla receives only one-third of its Capacity in dry season. The
projected population of Dhaka in 2025 is around 20 million and the projected BOD load
is 484 mega tons per day. Only a small amount of this huge load can be treated at paglas
water treatment plant. Rest of almost 470 mega tons will be spread around the rivers of
Dhaka. This very much sums up the enormity of this terrible situation.
Experts have suggested two possible ways to get out of this problem. Firstly, to create a
number of small water treatment plants spreading around the city. The Saidabad water
treatment plant produces 22.5 million liters of water per day which covers only 18% of
the total demand. Rest 80 percent of the drinking water supply comes from
ground water. Government has plans to increase its capacity by another 22.5 million liters
which will
then cover around 30% of the total demand.

**(Sindabad Water Treatment Plant in Dhalpur)**


Secondly, there is a proposal of cutting a 160k.m. canal which will connect the Jamuna
River to the other rivers to increase the flow of these polluted rivers. These two projects
can be accomplished technologically. But economically and socially these are very
expensive and extremely difficult to overcome. An easier alternative is to transport the
unrefined waste water of paglas water treatment plant to Padma or Meghna. It is also
technologically easier.
With these there are many ways we can protect the river from pollution. Some
immediate ways to control pollution are:
Industries should install machineries to remove contaminants from their effluents and wastewater. One way
to do so is installation of Effluent Treatment Plant (ETP).
This way we can control pollution at the source itself.
The towns and cities should also have facilities to clean
the sewage effluent. All towns and cities must have
Sewage Treatment Plants (STPs) that clean up the
sewage.
Farmers should give up chemicals and pesticides in
farming and should instead adopt organic methods of
farming thus reducing chemical pollution of rivers.

Proper drainage and sewage systems should be adopted

that will not allow the polluted water to mix with river
water.

Hopefully the Government will weigh in all of its options and work together with the
people to once again make Dhaka city free from pollution and to create a safe water
supply system for the citizens.

#Name: Md. Asaduzzaman Sakib


#ID: 1521705642

## How should I Contribute to Make


the Rivers Clean ?
As pointed out above, it is our duty to protect our environment. An individual
effort may not be sufficient to clean our rivers, but when all of us contribute towards this
goal it becomes a big effort. Thus it can help in cleaning up our rivers. There are many
ways you can contribute towards a clean river in your locality:

#At Home:
Never dump used motor oil, paint or household chemicals on the ground or in a
storm drain.
Don't pour household chemicals down the sink or flush them down the toilet.
Use non-toxic alternatives to home cleaning chemicals.
Don't buy more of a household cleaner or other chemical than you need for the
job.
Read and follow directions on the use of household chemicals and disposal of
containers.
Sweep driveways and patios clean instead hosing them down.
Check for leaky faucets and turn off the water when brushing teeth to conserve
water.
Pre-cycle. Buy products with less packaging and keep your recycling and refuse
bucket lids closed.

Pick up pet waste and put it in the garbage can or flush it down the toilet.

Talking to our family and friends for spreading awareness on the importance of good water quality and clean
rivers

#In My Yard:
Preserve established trees in my yard and neighborhood.
Don't overuse fertilizers and pesticides.
Plant trees, shrubs and ground covers that filter pollutants and reduce stormwater
runoff.
I don't cut my grass too short. Adjust my lawnmower to the proper height to
reduce runoff from lawns, and evaporation before infiltration.
Plant native vegetation and choose plants that require little or no fertilizer.
When i water my plants and lawn, make sure water doesn't wash over streets and
sidewalks.
Recycle yard debris, or use it to make compost, instead of raking it into streets
where it can wash into storm sewers.
Use compost or mulch to hold moisture in the soil and control weeds.

#My Car:
I drive my car less to reduce automotive fluid leaks on roadways.
Got drips?I Use kitty litter or other absorbent material to pick up drips before rain
washes them into the storm drain and river.
Recycle used motor oil at appropriate business locations for hazardous waste pick
ups.
When I wash my car, park it on the grass instead of on the street or driveway.

#My Boat:

Don't dump trash or sewage from my boat.


Watch for fuel spills when i fill my tank.
Use soap without phosphate to wash my boat.
Use steel sinkers or washers instead of lead sinkers when i go fishing.
Clean, Drain, and Dry dont be a transporter of invasive aquatic species.

#Name: Mitu rani das


#ID: 1512383642

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