An optimal resource distribution method for arsenic mitigation in Bangladesh

Abstract

The discovery of arsenic contamination of groundwater in many nations including Bangladesh shows that this is a global problem. Because of the delayed health effects, poor reporting, and low levels of awareness in some communities, the extent of the adverse health problems caused by arsenic in drinking-water is at alarming level in Bangladesh. Also, allocating resources such as tube wells efficiently and effectively to mitigate arsenic hazard is a challenging task in Bangladesh. To allocate resources based on different arsenic hazard parameters, we have developed a Decision Support System that enables the user to observe the effect of allocation policy both in tabular and spatial format using statistical models. We have also developed an algorithm for optimal allocation of resources. Finally, we have analyzed and demonstrated the efficacy of our algorithm graphically.