Images

The International Center for Diarrheal Disease Research, Bangladesh (ICDDR,B) is located in Matlab, a region approximately 50 miles southeast of Dhaka. Matlab comprises 142 villages with a population of approximately 200,000.

Tube wells provide water for drinking and other household uses. Tube wells are used by individual and multiple households and may also be shared by neighboring baris.

Matlab bari (household clusters) surrounded by cultivable land during the dry season.

The same bari is surrounded by flooded rice paddies during the monsoon season.

Septic latrines are used by individual and multiple households. Septic latrines often drain into nearby ditches, water bodies, or a second septic tank.

Latrines are often located near water bodies including ponds and canals. The second septic tank is often located directly in the water body.

Some households use open latrines in addition to or instead of septic latrines. Open latrines are often located near or over shallow ponds.

Shallow ponds provide water for household needs including laundry, cooking, and bathing.