Calcutta Rescue has started providing water filtration units in response to a drop in the water table in West Bengal, which has seen the drinking water supply for millions of people in the region become contaminated with arsenic, a naturally-occurring and very toxic substance.

Some of the long-term effects of arsenic poisoning include skin and internal cancers, liver damage, skin lesions, hypertension as well as cardiovascular, pulmonary and peripheral vascular problems. It is the poor and marginalized, unable to access an alternative water supply or afford to buy clean drinking water, who are most affected.

Rather than only treat the symptoms of arsenicosis once they appear, CR decided to tackle the cause by treating the water at source. Extensive research was carried out before committing to the project, exploring issues such as water quality and quantity, robustness, operational ease, safety, reliability, ecological impact, convenience, and social acceptability.

In August 2003, CR started a pilot water filtration project - installing 4 filters and tubewells in the Malda area, 300 km north of Kolkata. The existing filters currently provide over 1,000 litres of uncontaminated drinking water per day, and we are now installing a further 4 filters in the same area.

With the support of local Panchayati Raj (village councils) and local organizations, CR has trained villagers in the use and maintenance of these units to ensure their long-term sustainability. We are also educating the local population about other simple and easily replicable methods to remove arsenic from their drinking water, and running a communication programme to motivate target groups to adopt basic preventative general health measures.

We are monitoring this project and working closely with local stakeholders to ensure compliance and ownership of this scheme.