Nabolok WOP Project

Background of the project

Khulna is the third largest city in the southwest of Bangladesh, surrounded by a lot of industries. For its geographical, political, archaeological and financial reasons, its importance is huge. Khulna City witnesses a substantial influx of climate-induced migrants originating from both Khulna Division and beyond. Over the past decade, the city’s population has surged by more than 20 percent, driven by various factors, including natural population growth and migration from neighbouring districts susceptible to climate-related challenges. Due to the limited access to safe water and sanitation services, along with challenges in practicing key hygienic behaviour the prevalent diseases in slum communities encompass a range of health and hygiene conditions. The most common health issues include diarrhoea, cholera, dysentery, skin diseases, asthma, hypertension, malnutrition, common cold, fever, jaundice, respiratory ailments, reproductive disorders, recurrent miscarriages early or delayed onset of menstruation, Urinary Tract Infections (UTIs), among others.

On the bank of Rupsha (and Bhairav) river, it is known as the industrial city and located in southern part of Bangladesh.  A large part of the Sundarbans, a UNESCO world heritage, is in Khulna. Khulna is extremely – vulnerable to coastal flooding from cyclones and inundation from heavy monsoon rains. Tidal flooding in Khulna occurs almost daily during the wet season.

In Khulna city, several Low-Income Communities (LIC) areas, including Greenland, are owned by the Bangladesh Railway Authority. Greenland, situated within WASA zone-3(Ga) houses approximately 8,000 impoverished individuals who migrated due to climate vulnerability. Following extensive flooding during wet season, the riverbanks breach, poor circumstance to liveability and displacement of residents. The water quantity and quality in the coastal area are a major concern to comply with national water standards due to sea level rise and salinity intrusion, in water quality of surface and groundwater, and climate changes in extended dry periods. Spanning just 0.5 square kilometres, it accommodates about 1,800 families, including rickshaw pullers, day labours, small business owners, and garment workers. The area features one Government Primary School with around 300 students.

The water demand in LIC areas has in the past not been fully recognized and as a consequence LIC areas have not been systematically integrated in the design and construction of KWASA’s network. Huge efforts are required to integrate LICs in the newly constructed networks. This includes, (1) Installation of new HDPE main pipeline network and distribution pipeline network and integrated with DMA network. (2) Building a sustainable customer relationship between KWASA and this specific customer category; (3) Improving health and hygiene behaviour practiced in this LIC area and (5) Follow-up and monitoring all water points, water network and CBO activities for sustainability aspect.

KCC is already experiencing the adverse impact of climate change. Cyclones, tidal surges, floods, riverbank erosion and saline intrusion has become more erratic and consequently, monsoons have become irregular with untimely and/or intense rainfall over a short period of time causing waterlogging in urban areas thereby causing damage to clean water source and sanitation infrastructures. Onsite containment facilities e.g, septic tanks, pit latrines are all subject to inundation due to natural calamities. This not only damages the infrastructures but also pollutes the storm runoff and adjoining environment and water bodies through mixing with sewage overflows and thus brings in serious health hazards for the city dwellers including school going children. Regarding safe drinking water, slum people also face challenges including microbial contamination with water source in 17% households and water at points of use in 40% households due to use unimproved water source, lacks in year-round solution, drainage system and TW platform in bad condition. Root causes include their unhygienic practices and lack in water safety plan.

Considering the importance to improve water and sanitation practices in the people of Greenland slum through community engagement. NABOLOK PARISHAD, A renowned NGO at Khulna is interested to implement the project activities through the innovative approach, methods, technique, and interventions which helps to trigger community for sustainable WASH changes.

Geographic location:                

The project will be implemented in Greenland, an area that is divided in six blocks (A, B, C, D E and F) and situated within WASA zone- 3 (Ga), ward no-21 of the Khulna City Corporation, and owned by the Bangladesh Railway Authority. We have chosen this area because approximately 8,000 impoverished individuals reside here, having migrated from nearby cities due to climate vulnerability. Greenland is a densely populated zone within Khulna city, with approximately 1,800 families inhabiting a 0.5 square kilometre area. The residents of this area include rickshaw pullers, day labourers, small business owners, and garment workers. There is one Government Primary School where approximately 300 students are studying. During school hours, children also need access to water. Since this is a primary school to carry water from home can be challenging for the children.

Summary of the Project:

Expected results:

Under this assignment, the NABOLOK PARISHAD is expected to deliver the following:

1. Conduct Baseline survey in Greenland LIC area
2. Site selection for new 105 water points (obtaining the connection permissions and water meters from KWASA) and management of water point beneficiary list.
3. Collect cost-sharing money for all improved water points and manage the maintenance
4. Provide support to the contractor where
5. Organize Kick-off
6. Provide support to WOP with promotion activities and special events, including:
   1. Field Campaign event of the project
   2. Commissioning ceremony once the construction activities are completed.
7. Community mobilization in order to get support for the project and the project goals. This includes formal and informal community gatherings and the organization of special
8. Establishment and capacity enhancement of
9. Provide caretaker training and provide toolboxes to the CBO enabling people to make small
10. Organize stakeholders meeting
11. Advocacy activities to increase involvement of KWASA and enhance coordination, resulting in:
    1. Monthly site-inspection (reports) visits by KWASA quality and maintenance and operation
    2. Monthly inclusion of meter-readings in revenue
    3. Monthly bills
12. Organize handover/ Project closing meeting

Project Objective:

The primary goal of the LIC project is to enhance access to water services for 5091 individuals, while also fostering a culture of responsibility in paying WASA bills and maintaining water points. Our ultimate aspiration is to witness the joyful faces of community members upon the project’s completion.

Project specific objectives:

• Site selection for 105 shared water connections to serve 4791 residents of Greenland  LIC
• Establishment of a Community Based Organization (CBO) in Greenland: This aims to mobilize and organize the community for water infrastructure-related tasks, including securing permissions for KWASA connections, billing & revenue collection and managing operation and maintenance.
• Organize CBO training for Leadership and capacity building of CBO committee in Greenland LIC area.
• Improved meter reading and billing processes: The CBO will focus on enhancing these processes to ensure accurate billing, efficient water usage management, and fair cost distribution among community members.
• Enhance maintenance of water infrastructure through training sessions for water point caretakers.
• Foster improved customer relations between low-income communities and KWASA through meetings and workshops.
• Engage with Khulna WASA (Zone and Revenue Zone) to ensure water safety, quality, regular revenue collection, and effective operation and maintenance of water supply systems.

Activities for the project:

 Preparation:

• Identification of current situation and needs assessment through baseline survey
• Community mobilization
• Site selection and beneficiary selection for water points that need to be constructed, and
• Establishment of Community-Based Organization (CBO)
• Conduct kick-off meeting

Implementation:

• Site selection for 105 new water points with  KWASA
• Obtain connection permission from
• Collecting cost-sharing money and managing  maintenance fund
• Conduct 1 batch CBO training
• Conduct 105nos water point (Per point two person) care taker training to improve
• Organize 03 nos. Coordination meeting with stake holders
• Organize 03 nos. Campaign/ Day observations
• Advocacy activities to increase KWASA
• Organize water commissioning event
• Organize handover/project closing meeting