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Developing Sustainable Models of Arsenic-Mitigation Technologies in the Middle-Ganga Plain in India


Affiliations
1 Department of Earth and Environmental Studies, Montclair State University, 1 Normal Ave, Montclair, New Jersey 07043, United States
2 Department of Mathematical Sciences, Montclair State University, 1 Normal Ave, Montclair, New Jersey 07043, United States
 

This study seeks to understand factors that guide the decision-making process to adopt and implement the available arsenic-mitigation technologies in rural areas in the middle-Ganga Plain in India. A total of 340 households comprising 2500 people were surveyed. Socio-economic and demographic factors, water and sanitation status, time spent and distance travelled to collect water, arsenic awareness, willingness to pay (WTP) for arsenic-free water, people's trust in others and in institutions, social capital in communities, and preferences for sustainable arsenic-mitigation options were investigated. Arsenic treatment units (filters) and piped water supply systems were the most preferred sustainable arsenic-mitigation options in the surveyed villages. Less preferred arsenic-mitigation options include deep tube wells, dug wells, and rainwater harvesting systems. Binary logistic regression models for each arsenic-mitigation option were produced. Arsenic awareness, WTP, trust in agencies, trust in institutions and social capital were found to be the most significant factors for decision-making for preferring one arsenic-mitigation technology over the others. We recommend a mixed model of two arsenic-mitigation options for the studied individuals, which could be a sustainable arsenic-mitigation option for them, considering their socio-economic and demographic conditions. Existing institutions should be strengthened, agencies empowered, and communities enlightened about arsenic problems.

Keywords

Arsenic-Mitigation, Arsenic Treatment Unit, Deep Tube Well, Dug Wells, Piped Water Supply, Rainwater Harvesting System.
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  • Developing Sustainable Models of Arsenic-Mitigation Technologies in the Middle-Ganga Plain in India

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Authors

Sushant K. Singh
Department of Earth and Environmental Studies, Montclair State University, 1 Normal Ave, Montclair, New Jersey 07043, United States
Robert W. Taylor
Department of Earth and Environmental Studies, Montclair State University, 1 Normal Ave, Montclair, New Jersey 07043, United States
Haiyan Su
Department of Mathematical Sciences, Montclair State University, 1 Normal Ave, Montclair, New Jersey 07043, United States

Abstract


This study seeks to understand factors that guide the decision-making process to adopt and implement the available arsenic-mitigation technologies in rural areas in the middle-Ganga Plain in India. A total of 340 households comprising 2500 people were surveyed. Socio-economic and demographic factors, water and sanitation status, time spent and distance travelled to collect water, arsenic awareness, willingness to pay (WTP) for arsenic-free water, people's trust in others and in institutions, social capital in communities, and preferences for sustainable arsenic-mitigation options were investigated. Arsenic treatment units (filters) and piped water supply systems were the most preferred sustainable arsenic-mitigation options in the surveyed villages. Less preferred arsenic-mitigation options include deep tube wells, dug wells, and rainwater harvesting systems. Binary logistic regression models for each arsenic-mitigation option were produced. Arsenic awareness, WTP, trust in agencies, trust in institutions and social capital were found to be the most significant factors for decision-making for preferring one arsenic-mitigation technology over the others. We recommend a mixed model of two arsenic-mitigation options for the studied individuals, which could be a sustainable arsenic-mitigation option for them, considering their socio-economic and demographic conditions. Existing institutions should be strengthened, agencies empowered, and communities enlightened about arsenic problems.

Keywords


Arsenic-Mitigation, Arsenic Treatment Unit, Deep Tube Well, Dug Wells, Piped Water Supply, Rainwater Harvesting System.

References





DOI: https://doi.org/10.18520/cs%2Fv113%2Fi01%2F80-93