BASA Foundation started work in thissector through distribution of tube wells and sanitary latrine at Gazipur district in 1992 with the help of NGO – Forum for Drinking Water supply and Sanitation. Later on BASA Foundation has implement different projects on water, sanitation and hygiene programs with the assistance of European Commission, World Bank,UNICEF, CIDA, Water Aid, DPHE and Dhaka WASA.
BASA Foundation has contributed a lot in achieving this target through its Water and Sanitation Project which started in1994 through the technical and financial assistance of various donors.
Due to a rapid trend of urbanization, the small towns and cities of Bangladesh are facing a challenge with regard to health, hygiene, sanitation and environmental hazard. In urban areas, the increase in sanitation coverage using septic tanks and pit latrines, have raised sludge volume from waste water dischargeconsiderably. Besides, the environment has been polluted due to lack of properwaste collection and dumping in many areas.
Moreover,accumulated sludge overflows into nearby open drains, water bodies, nearby forest and agricultural land causes dangerous impact on public health and environment. Failure to provide long term household sanitation and FSM solutions risks will undermine the progress made throughincreased toilet use. Though it is the responsibility of municipality to managesolid waste generated within the municipality, a major portion of this waste isnot properly and scientifically handled due to shortage of resources.Furthermore, in some municipalities, like Sakhipur under Tangail district wherea great number of poultry firm are operating, generating huge quantities ofpoultry litters daily is a great concern. As these poultry litters aredis charged into nearby ponds, canals or drains and open field, this is also causing environmental pollution and health hazards.
To address these problems, BASA Foundation is working in Sakhipur municipality of Tangail district with the support of WaterAidBangladesh, since 2010 in a water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) project in partnership with Shakipur municipality. Under this project, as a part ofenvironmental development initiatives, a co-composting plant is currently underoperation to deal with wastes generated from faecal sludge, solid wastes andpoultry litters in Sakhipur, Municipality under Tangail district. Co composting Plant is a Biological Processthat involves micro-organisms that decompose organic matter under aerobicenvironment. The Resulting end Product is stabilized organic matter that can be used as a soil conditioner.Fecal Sludge has a high moisture and nitrogen content while biodegradable soiled waste is high in organic carbon and has good baking properties.
Asit is the only co-composting plant where we can manage both fecal sludge and kitchen waste so this plant/ project has already recognized by Local Govt.authority, Palli Karma Sahayak Foundation ( PKSF), Department of AgricultureExtension (DAE) and also some of International agencies namely WaterAid, WorldBank and others. Besides, legal waterconnections installed by this organization BASA Foundation at Low Income Communities (LIC) of Korail, Sattala, Hatirjhil, Kalshi, Bwonia slums under Dhaka city corporationwith the financial support of UNICEF and technical cooperation’s of DWASA arewell recognized by the communities and Local Govt. authorities, world Bank, ADBand various other stakeholders.
