Water Pollution
Water is the most vital element among the natural resources, and is crucial for the survival of all living organisms. The environment, economic growth and development of Bangladesh are all highly influenced by water - its regional and seasonal availability, and the quality of surface and groundwater. Spatial and seasonal availability of surface and groundwater is highly responsive to the monsoon climate and physiography of the country. Availability also depends on upstream withdrawal for consumptive and nonconsumptive uses. In terms of quality, the surface water of the country is unprotected from untreated industrial effluents and municipal wastewater, runoff pollution from chemical fertilizers and pesticides, and oil and lube spillage in the coastal area from the operation of sea and river ports. Water quality also depends on effluent types and discharge quantity from different type of industries, types of agrochemicals used in agriculture, and seasonal water flow and dilution capability by the river system.
The concerns over water quality relate not just to the water itself, but also to the danger of diffusion of toxic substances into other ecosystems. The aquatic environment for living organisms can be affected and bioaccumulation of harmful substances in the water-dependent food chain can occur. A variation of inland surface water quality is noticed due to seasonal variation of river flow, operation of industrial units and use of agrochemicals. Overall, inland surface water quality in the monsoon season is within tolerable limit with respect to the standard set by the Department of Environment (DoE).
However, quality degrades in the dry season. The salinity intrusion in the Southwest region and pollution problems in industrial areas are significant.
In particular, water quality around Dhaka is so poor that water from the surrounding rivers can no longer be considered as a source of water supply for human consumption....