PUBLIC HEALTH ASSESSMENT OF PROPOSED DAMS : WATER RELATED DISEASES AND COMMUNITY WATER SUPPLIES (RURAL LAND RECLAMATION PROJECT)

This report assesses the possible impacts of the dams on water-related disease incidence due to standing water, and makes recommendations for surveillance and disease control. Also evaluated are proposed wells, siltation basins, and rain catchment ponds. The report recommends a follow-up survey of schistosomiasis, malaria, and dracunculiasis (guinea worm) incidence; establishment of a disease surveillance and control team; USAID provision of molluscicides, chemotherapeutic drugs, training, and consultants; and evaluation of standard control measures for schistosomiasis and malaria (e.g., regular lowering of basin water levels). Also recommended, inter alia, are deleting the 10 drilled wells and the siltation traps which have been proposed for the project, addressing water supplies for barrage sites separately, and further geotechnical and hydrological onsite testing to verify the accuracy of the project design.