Success Stories

Presence in Bangladesh

The first MAGC/ALCAN arsenic removal systems were installed in Sonargaon under the auspices of BRAC on April 20, 2000.

Today we have more than 2,000 units in operation, for example:

- for BRAC in Sonargaon and Jhikorgacha under UNICEF projects;
- for GRAMEEN in Kochua under UNICEF projects;
- for ROTARY, our units are in the field in Srinagar, and Bandar thana;
- for CARE and IDE in Rajshahi/Chapai Noabganj under Watsan Partnership Project;
- for DASCOH under Swiss Red Cross in Faridpur and Rajbari;
- for World Vision, Bangladesh in Netrokona and Sherpur.
Mr.Saber Afzal-Managing Director of MAGC Bangladesh(Right), explaining the features of the system to a consultant for Rotary International(Left).Srinagar, Bangladesh.

We also have units operating in Gojaria, Kolaroa and Debhata as part of our awareness building effort for BAMWSP (GOB/WB/SDC) mitigation initiative. Units are also in the field in Bancharampur and Matlab. All our units are providing safe drinking water to the communities, enjoying tremendous user acceptance.

The MAGC unit containing the Alcan enhanced activated alumina has been declared as the best arsenic removal technology option available under the Rapid Assessment of arsenic removal technologies investigated by BAMWSP /DFID/Water Aid. This adsorption technology was provisionally recommended by the Technical Advisory Group (TAG), BAMWSP and finally approved by the Project Steering Committee (PSC), BAMWSP for emergency basis water supply in acute arsenic affected areas.

It is the only system with 100% success rate for arsenic removal, well below the Bangladesh limit. It was declared the favorite in both the 'User Preference' and 'Technology Features' surveys that were carried out as part of the assessment process.

Breakthrough testing has indicated that one charge of media is able to treat at least 80,000 liters of arsenic contaminated tube well water to below the Bangladesh limit of 0.05mg/l. One charge of media can therefore meet the daily need of water for drinking and cooking for one whole year for seven families.

India

Arsenic removal units attached to the outlet of hand pumps have been installed in West Bengal, India for the Public Health Engineering Department (PHED), The Kishan Co-operative Milk Producers Union Limited, Nadia District and School of Fundamental Research.

Trials on fluoride removal are in progress at well sites near Bhopal under the auspices of The Regional Research Laboratory in Bhopal.

On 15th March, 2002, the Public Health Engineering Directorate of West Bengal, India awarded MAGC, via its India affiliate, RPM Marketing PVT. Ltd., an initial order for 230 arsenic treatment units to be deployed as part of the initial phase of its arsenic remediation programme to provide safe drinking water at thousands of well sites in West Bengal.

MAGC/RPM was awarded approximately 1/3 of the total well sites to be treated under this initial order.

The Kishan Cooperative Milk Producers Union Ltd.

The Kishan Cooperative Milk Producers Union Ltd., Nadia District, West Bengal is a Cooperative Society with a number of milk collection centers and chilling plants in the District. The District Magistrate of the District chairs this organization.
Against an open tender, RPM Marketing Pvt. Ltd. using Alcan's AA FS-50(A) media was chosen as the best technology both technically and commercially. An order has been received for 25 units. One unit was installed at the chilling plant of The Kishan milk cooperative at Tehata. It was inaugurated by Gen. Shankar Roychowdhury, Member of Parliament, from West Bengal on April 13th 2001. This unit has treated over 60,000 liters of water and is giving satisfactory results. The villagers at Tehata find our unit simple and easy to operate.