Problem:
The occurrence of arsenic in natural ground water is usually due to mineral arsenopyrite, which is associated with sedimentary rocks and weathered volcanic rocks. Fossil fuel, mineral deposits, mining wastes and geothermal areas are other sources through which arsenic can occur in ground water. Also, arsenic and its compounds are found in wastes from various industries like glassware, ceramic, dye, petroleum and refining metallurgical, insecticides, pesticides, fertilizers and inorganic chemicals which leach into
ground water.
Solution:
Prepare Separate, but Compatible, Emergency and Long-term Sustainable PhaseThe fact that contamination is detected by the presence of patient’s means that at
first rapid action is required. However, the characteristics of emergency and sustainable programs differ considerably. Rapid action or emergency programs
can rely on subsidies and on experienced executive agencies to identify contaminated wells, provide emergency relief, and distribute safe water or
medicine. Such programs cannot undertake the tedious and politically sensitive work of institutional strengthening and development of local commitment to run
and (partly) finance any facilities, which are vital to sustainability.Inevitably, political pressures will lean toward continuation of the heavily
subsidized emergency program, but failure to resist such pressures is likely to lead to misuse of funds. There is a rich source of information and operational
experience related to the design of long-term, sustainable water supply for the It is now widely recognized that arsenic emergency relief is most effective
when it is not in contradiction with the sustainability requirements of the long-term mitigation and water supply strategies. Local conditions will
determine what is necessary to allow the emergency and the longer-term programs to coexist