Introduction

BAMWSP sampled millions of wells around Bangladesh for arsenic contamination. At Columbia University we use cell phones to provide access to this data publicly. Using SMS and advanced statistical methods developed by specialists at Colubmia University, we can find a 'start depth' for each village. At or below the start depth, there is a higher probability of finding arsenic free water. To request an SMS 'start depth', follow the instructions below. OR, at any time send a '?' to +880173045512 for help. Alternatively you can email me at jimmel@jimmel.com for help or to report any bugs or problems. Currently BAMWSP has given us samples from the Araihajar area only, but pending approval from BAMWSP we will provide results for the entire country.

Requesting a Start Depth

Step 1: Find the Village Code

To find a village code, send the following SMS message to +880173045512. When searching for villages, pay careful attention to the village name. Often there are multiple spellings.

While the first SMS is very simple, the result will be villages all over Bangladesh with the same name. We need a way to specify the village upazila, mouza:

Examples:
F*V*Laskardi
F*Laskardi
F*U*Arai*V*askar

Our computer will send a reply to your phone with the village codes. In the following example, our computer returned villages from two upazilas and mouzas in Bangladesh. We'll use the code for Laskardi, 167022362301, for the rest of this lesson.

U:Araihazar M:Laskardi Laskardi,167022362301 U:Bhanga M:Laskardia Laskardia,329103957019

Step 2: Finding a Start Depth

To find a start depth, send an SMS with the following information:

Example:
SD*167022362301*7000

Our computer's reply:

Araihajar Laskardi Laskardi Start>=165' Fail=16/100 1820 insures 7000 Average Arsenic 40ppb 327 safe out of 443 wells 30-105' 321 of 435 135-165' 2 of 4 200-205' 2 of 2 255' 1 of 1 800' 1 of 1

Line 1: Upazila
Line 2: Mouza
Line 3: Village
Line 4: Start Depth beneath which arsenic concentration is lower.
Line 5: Failure rate below start depth.
Line 6: *1820 Bengali taka (BTK) will insure a well that costs 7000 BTk
Line 7: Average Arsenic concentration for all wells in village.
Line 8: 327 of 443 wells are arsenic safe
Line 9: From 30 to 105 feet 321 of 435 wells are safe
Line 10: From 135 to 165 feet 2 of 4 wells are safe.
etc.

* - Money back guarantee service not yet offered