Dhaka Environment and Water Project Volume 1 - LGED

7. Possible Social Impacts7.1 Resettlement due to Land Acquisition Issues159. Involuntary resettlement may occur because project activities such as the construction ofcommon effluent treatment plants, can result in temporary or permanent loss of land, crops, andother means of income generation.7.2 Social Dimensions of project Beyond Safeguards160. Success of the project is, among other factors, also a function of public pressure onpolluters to behave more responsibly. Educating citizens living in the areas affected by heavypollution loads is critical to continue to put pressure on polluters. The same rationale is valid ineducating local institutions and local government officials. Water pollution carries a heavy costin terms of public and individual health – costs that are externalized by polluters but internalizedby citizens (via their health) and public institutions (via the cost of maintaining public health andpaying for damages).161. To that effect, the project may produce significant positive impacts by improving theoverall water quality in the selected areas, both in terms of access to water as well as in terms ofreduction of water borne diseases (especially skin-related).53