Discrepancies between National and Discrepancies between National and International DataInternational Data

on Improved Drinking Water and Sanitation : on Improved Drinking Water and Sanitation : Bangladesh ExperienceBangladesh Experience

ByBy

A Y M Ekamul HoqueA Y M Ekamul HoqueDirector GeneralDirector General

Bangladesh Bureau of StatisticsBangladesh Bureau of Statistics

1.1. IntroductionIntroduction : :

Among the Eight Millennium Development Among the Eight Millennium Development Goals (MDG) Goal -7 is “Ensuring Goals (MDG) Goal -7 is “Ensuring Environmental Sustainability”. Environmental Sustainability”.

This goal has two targets of which target no-This goal has two targets of which target no-2 (Target 10 of MDG Targets) is to halve by 2 (Target 10 of MDG Targets) is to halve by 2015 the proportion of people without 2015 the proportion of people without sustainable access to safe drinking water sustainable access to safe drinking water and sanitation. and sanitation.

This target has two important indicators. This target has two important indicators. These are as follows:These are as follows:

2.2. Concept and Definition used Concept and Definition used in Bangladeshin Bangladesh::

Indicator 7.8 : Proportion of population using an Indicator 7.8 : Proportion of population using an improved drinking water sourceimproved drinking water source

Indicator 7.9 : Proportion of population using Indicator 7.9 : Proportion of population using improved sanitation facility.improved sanitation facility.

The variation with respect to national and The variation with respect to national and international data on improved drinking water international data on improved drinking water source and sanitation system occurs mainly due to source and sanitation system occurs mainly due to concept and definition used in the Censuses and concept and definition used in the Censuses and Surveys.Surveys.

The concepts and definition used in The concepts and definition used in different census and surveys varies in the different census and surveys varies in the context of Bangladesh particularly in case context of Bangladesh particularly in case of sanitation facility.of sanitation facility.

In case of drinking water the definition In case of drinking water the definition used in the multiple indicator cluster used in the multiple indicator cluster survey (MICS) conducted by UNICEF and survey (MICS) conducted by UNICEF and BBS, 2006 is as follows: BBS, 2006 is as follows:

2.2. Concept and Definition used Concept and Definition used in Bangladesh (cont.)in Bangladesh (cont.)::

Improved Drinking waterImproved Drinking water::

““The population using improved sources of drinking water The population using improved sources of drinking water are those with any of the following types of water supply:are those with any of the following types of water supply:

piped water (into dwelling yard or plot),piped water (into dwelling yard or plot),public tap/standpipe, public tap/standpipe, tube well/borehole, tube well/borehole, protected well, protected well, protected spring and protected spring and rain water collection. rain water collection.

Bottled water is considered as an improved water source only if Bottled water is considered as an improved water source only if the household is using it for other purpose also such as hand the household is using it for other purpose also such as hand washing and cooking”.washing and cooking”.

Improved SanitationImproved Sanitation::

The MICS 2006 used the following The MICS 2006 used the following sanitation facilities as improved: flash sanitation facilities as improved: flash toilet connected to sewerage system, toilet connected to sewerage system, septic tanks and pit latrines, ventilated septic tanks and pit latrines, ventilated improved pit latrines and pit latrine improved pit latrines and pit latrine with slabs and composting toilets.with slabs and composting toilets.

3.3. Arsenic contamination in Arsenic contamination in tube well water:tube well water:

In the recent year, arsenic contamination of ground water In the recent year, arsenic contamination of ground water remains as a significant issue for Bangladesh. remains as a significant issue for Bangladesh.

The level of arsenic that has been considered as unsafe in The level of arsenic that has been considered as unsafe in the context of Bangladesh is 0.05 mg/l. the context of Bangladesh is 0.05 mg/l.

MICS survey was conducted in July-September 2006 when MICS survey was conducted in July-September 2006 when the testing of all tube wells for arsenic contamination was the testing of all tube wells for arsenic contamination was not completed. not completed.

However, MICS survey asked the households whether their However, MICS survey asked the households whether their tube well was tested for arsenic. tube well was tested for arsenic.

Table I: Tube wells tested/marked for arsenic contamination, 2006

ResidenceResidence Tube wells Tested for ArsenicTube wells Tested for Arsenic TotalTotalNot Not

testedtestedTested/Tested/marked marked

redred

Tested Tested marked greenmarked green

MissiMissingng

NationalNational 37.537.5 7.77.7 54.654.6 0.20.2 100.00100.00RuralRural 33.833.8 9.19.1 56.956.9 0.20.2 100.00100.00UrbanUrban 48.048.0 3.83.8 48.048.0 0.30.3 100.00100.00

DivisionDivision

BarisalBarisal 26.026.0 1.11.1 72.772.7 0.20.2 100.00100.00ChittagongChittagong 41.341.3 17.217.2 41.341.3 0.20.2 100.00100.00DhakaDhaka 32.332.3 7.67.6 59.959.9 0.30.3 100.00100.00KhulnaKhulna 20.120.1 8.68.6 71.071.0 0.20.2 100.00100.00RajshahiRajshahi 55.655.6 2.82.8 41.541.5 0.20.2 100.00100.00SylhetSylhet 34.434.4 4.14.1 61.161.1 0.40.4 100.00100.00

Source: MICS- 2006, Volume 1: Technical Report, page-55

3. 3. Arsenic contamination in tube well Arsenic contamination in tube well water (cont.)water (cont.)

In response around 62% reported that their tube wells were In response around 62% reported that their tube wells were tested for arsenic contamination and the rest 38% tested for arsenic contamination and the rest 38% mentioned that their tube well was not tested for arsenic mentioned that their tube well was not tested for arsenic contamination. contamination.

The MICS 2006 report mentioned 97.6% households with The MICS 2006 report mentioned 97.6% households with improved source of drinking water which did not consider improved source of drinking water which did not consider arsenic contamination. arsenic contamination.

If arsenic contamination is considered the percentage of If arsenic contamination is considered the percentage of improved source will be less.improved source will be less.

4. 4. Data on drinking water obtained from BBS Data on drinking water obtained from BBS and MDG websiteand MDG website..

Table-2 below shows data obtained from the MDG website and that has been supplied by BBS. Table-2 below shows data obtained from the MDG website and that has been supplied by BBS.

It may be noted that the data supplied by BBS has not been adjusted for arsenic contamination. It may be noted that the data supplied by BBS has not been adjusted for arsenic contamination.

Therefore, the variation in the two sources are well pronounced.Therefore, the variation in the two sources are well pronounced.

Table 2 : Table 2 : Improved Drinking water sorce, Bangladesh 1990-2006Improved Drinking water sorce, Bangladesh 1990-2006..

Data sourceData source 19901990 19951995 20002000 20062006

MDG web siteMDG web site 7878 7878 7979 8080

BBSBBS 8989 9797 97.597.5 97.697.6

But if we look at the table – 1 where 8% households were reported But if we look at the table – 1 where 8% households were reported that their tube well was marked red and 38% mentioned that their that their tube well was marked red and 38% mentioned that their tube well was not tested for arsenic contamination. tube well was not tested for arsenic contamination.

The same table also showed that in Chittagong Division more than The same table also showed that in Chittagong Division more than 17% households reported that their tube well was arsenic 17% households reported that their tube well was arsenic contaminated. contaminated.

So at the national level after completing the test of all households, So at the national level after completing the test of all households, the rate will be higher than 8%. The arsenic contamination adjusted the rate will be higher than 8%. The arsenic contamination adjusted rate of 80% in 2006 seems logical because the contamination is rate of 80% in 2006 seems logical because the contamination is increasing over the year due to fall in ground water level. increasing over the year due to fall in ground water level.

Therefore, the difference in MDG website data and BBS data is due Therefore, the difference in MDG website data and BBS data is due to adjustment of arsenic contamination.to adjustment of arsenic contamination.

4. 4. Data on drinking water obtained from BBS Data on drinking water obtained from BBS and MDG website (cont.)and MDG website (cont.)

Improved sanitationImproved sanitation

The definition of improved sanitation as used in MICS-2006 The definition of improved sanitation as used in MICS-2006 is same as the definition used in MDG in light of UNICEF, is same as the definition used in MDG in light of UNICEF, but this definition is not strictly followed in other Censuses but this definition is not strictly followed in other Censuses and Surveys of Bangladesh and Surveys of Bangladesh

Data supplied by BBS for MDG indicator is taken from Data supplied by BBS for MDG indicator is taken from Sample Vital Registration System (SVRS) of BBS. This Sample Vital Registration System (SVRS) of BBS. This source has been used as annual data is available from this source has been used as annual data is available from this survey. survey.

But this surveys used more lenient definition than MICS. But this surveys used more lenient definition than MICS.

Thus, the estimates are higher than MICS. Table-3 shows Thus, the estimates are higher than MICS. Table-3 shows improved sanitation coverage from MICS-2006.improved sanitation coverage from MICS-2006.

Table-3 Improved sanitation coverage from MICS-2006.

Type of toilet facility used by HouseholdsType of toilet facility used by Households

Improved sanitation facilityImproved sanitation facility Unimproved sanitation Unimproved sanitation facilityfacility

ResidenceResidence Flush Flush to to piped piped sewer sewer systemsystem

Flush Flush to to septic septic tanktank

Flush Flush to pit to pit (latrin(latrine)e)

Pit latrine Pit latrine with slabs with slabs

Pit Pit latrine latrine without without slab/ slab/ open open pitpit

HangiHanging ng toilet/toilet/HangiHanging ng latrinelatrine

No No toilet toilet facilitfacility or y or bush bush or or fieldfield

OthOther er

TotalTotal

NationalNational 2.92.9 13.213.2 6.06.0 17.117.1 39.239.2 33.933.9 18.218.2 7.57.5 1.21.2 100.0100.0

UrbanUrban 9.49.4 28.328.3 6.6.6.6. 13.413.4 57.757.7 22.422.4 14.514.5 2.62.6 2.82.8 100.0100.0

RuralRural 0.20.2 7.27.2 5.85.8 18.718.7 31.931.9 38.638.6 19.719.7 9.29.2 0.60.6 100.0100.0

Improved sanitationImproved sanitation

Table 4: Improved Sanitation coverage by Residence 1991 to 2006.

YearYear Sanitation CoverageSanitation Coverage

NationalNational RuralRural UrbanUrban

19911991 19.819.8 15.315.3 56.256.2

19941994 23.023.0 15.915.9 63.163.1

19971997 32.432.4 25.425.4 72.272.2

19961996 36.436.4 29.429.4 76.276.2

20002000 43.443.4 30.130.1 76.876.8

20012001 36.936.9 28.228.2 67.367.3

20022002 39.939.9 32.132.1 71.571.5

20032003 42.542.5 35.035.0 72.572.5

20042004 46.246.2 38.138.1 78.678.6

20052005 53.353.3 44.344.3 79.879.8

20062006 55.055.0 46.346.3 80.780.7

Source: SVRS 1991 to 2006.

Improved sanitationImproved sanitation

The above table indicate that there exist variation in sanitation The above table indicate that there exist variation in sanitation coverage over the year. coverage over the year.

Data used for 2001 is taken from population Census 2001 It may Data used for 2001 is taken from population Census 2001 It may be mentioned that the sample size of SVRS was increased from be mentioned that the sample size of SVRS was increased from 2000 and the estimates from the subsequent year is based on 2000 and the estimates from the subsequent year is based on large sample of 1000 PSU (more than 200,000 households)large sample of 1000 PSU (more than 200,000 households)

Therefore, the estimates of later year are different from earlier Therefore, the estimates of later year are different from earlier years However, the situation improved over the years. years However, the situation improved over the years.

It may be recalled that in SVRS the sanitary latrine has been It may be recalled that in SVRS the sanitary latrine has been defined as those latrine where the enumerators considered it as defined as those latrine where the enumerators considered it as sanitary. sanitary.

Improved sanitationImproved sanitation

The water sealed and non-water sealed pit latrine The water sealed and non-water sealed pit latrine or even open pit were considered as sanitary or even open pit were considered as sanitary latrine. latrine.

This made the coverage rate higher than the This made the coverage rate higher than the MICS, where MICS followed global definition. MICS, where MICS followed global definition.

The sanitation data used in MDG report is almost The sanitation data used in MDG report is almost similar to MICS but not the same.similar to MICS but not the same.

It is not clear what is the data source of MDG It is not clear what is the data source of MDG indicators.indicators.

Improved sanitationImproved sanitation

Table 5: Improved sanitation coverage by source.

SourceSource NationalNational UrbanUrban RuralRural

MDG website 2008MDG website 2008 3636 4848 3232

MICS-2006, BBSMICS-2006, BBS 39.239.2 57.757.7 31.931.9

Table 5 shows the MDG indicator 7.9 on Sanitation coverage in Bangladesh obtained from MDG website.

It is observed from the above table that sanitation coverage in Bangladesh is still much lower than the excepted outcome.

Conclusion:Conclusion:

Data discrepancy between BBS data and that of Data discrepancy between BBS data and that of MDG website is mainly due to definitional variation. MDG website is mainly due to definitional variation.

As regards improved drinking water, the arsenic As regards improved drinking water, the arsenic free drinking water will be less than the improved free drinking water will be less than the improved drinking water sources mentioned in our data. drinking water sources mentioned in our data.

On the other hand, data on improved sanitation On the other hand, data on improved sanitation depends as the definition considered for the depends as the definition considered for the improved sanitation source.improved sanitation source.