Towards Lessons from the Field In India Drinking Water Security
Water and Sanitation ProgramThe World Bank55 Lodi Estate, New Delhi 110 003, IndiaPhone: (91-11) 24690488, 24690489Fax: (91-11) 24628250E-mail: [email protected] site: www.wsp.org
Ministry of Rural DevelopmentDepartment of Drinking Water and Sanitation9th Floor, Paryavaran BhawanCGO Complex, Lodi RoadNew Delhi 110003, IndiaPhone: (91-11) 24362705Fax: (91-11) 24361062E-mail: [email protected] site: www.ddws.nic.in/
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Towards
Lessons from the Field
In IndiaDrinking Water Security
Towards
Lessons from the Field
In IndiaDrinking Water Security
From Dreams to RealityContentsAcronyms and Abbreviations ............................................................................................................................................5
Foreword .....................................................................................................................................................................................7
Improved Rural Water Supply Service ....................................................................................................................... 11• 24x7WaterSupply:SavingPeopleTime,WaterandEnergyCost ...................................................................................12• MeteringHouseholdConnections:ForEquitableDistributionofWaterand FinanciallySelf-SustainableWaterSchemes ...........................................................................................................................13• EfficientCollectionofWaterTaxesandOperationofWaterSupplySchemeby Women’sSelfHelpGroups ............................................................................................................................................................16• AnIndependentSocietytoManageWaterSupplyServicewithGreaterAuthorityandEfficiency ...................19• 24x7WaterSupplywithClusterStorage:IncreasingIncomesandSchoolAttendanceand ReducingHealthExpenditures ....................................................................................................................................................21• ThreeTaps,OneToilet,OneBathroomforAll:Inclusion,HighLevelofServicesand Long-termSupportEnsureSustainability ...............................................................................................................................23• EnhancingOwnershipandAccesstoWaterandSanitationwithSwajal .....................................................................27• AnEfficientSystemtoRecoverWaterTaxes ............................................................................................................................31• CommunityContractingforCostEfficiency,TransparencyandAccountabilityinConstruction ........................32• SuccessfulImplementationofSectorReformPilotProject:PanchayatiRajInstitutionscanDoit! ...................35• Successful24x7WaterSupplyinaSmallTown .....................................................................................................................38• UseofSolarEnergyforDualPumpScheme:ABoonforWomen ...................................................................................42• PeertoPeerLearning:TrainingofCommunitiesbyCommunities .................................................................................45
Multi-Village Scheme Innovations ..............................................................................................................................47• PublicComplaintRedressalSystem:IncreasedConsumerVoiceandServiceProviderAccountability ............48• OperationandManagementofRegionalWaterSupplySchemeby JointVillageWaterSupplyCommittee......................................................................................................................................52
Water Quality ......................................................................................................................................................................... 55• SustainingNirmalGramStatus ....................................................................................................................................................56• StatusofArsenicMitigationSchemesinWestBengal ........................................................................................................59• CommunityEmpowermentforEfficientHandPumpO&M ..............................................................................................62• EnsuringGoodSafeWaterwiththeWaterSafetyPlan .......................................................................................................65• AVillageModelforWaterSupplyandSanitation .................................................................................................................68• DefluoridationofWater:APublicPrivatePartnershipInitiative ......................................................................................70
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Source Sustainability ......................................................................................................................................................... 73• WaterHarvestingtoAugmentWaterResources:TraditionalTechnologyandCommunitiesare PartoftheSolution ..........................................................................................................................................................................74• SourceProtectiontoEnhanceMultipleUsesofDrinkingWater .....................................................................................77• AchievingSustainableAquifersthroughCommunityParticipation,Sciencesand DemandManagement ...................................................................................................................................................................78• WaterConservation–AnInnovativeProcess .........................................................................................................................84• CommunityManagedDemand-sideGroundWaterManagement ................................................................................86• RenovationofTraditionalWaterBodies(Oorani)toSustainAccessto DrinkingWaterforRuralCommunities .....................................................................................................................................92
Waste Water Management .............................................................................................................................................. 95• CombiningWaterSupplyandSewerageandRecyclingofWasteWaterforIrrigation: AnInterestingExample ................................................................................................................................................................97
communication for Water ................................................................................................................................................ 99• RuralWaterSupplyandSanitationProject ........................................................................................................................... 101• EngagingtheCommunity .......................................................................................................................................................... 103• SuccessfulModelofPublicPrivatePartnershipinCommunications..........................................................................104
State Level Reforms ..........................................................................................................................................................107• TowardsaUniformApproachforDecentralizedServiceDelivery .............................................................................. 108• UttarakhandRuralWaterSupplyandSanitationProject:AFlag-beareroftheSectorWideApproach ....... 111
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Acronyms and AbbreviationsAFPRO ActionforFoodProduction
AKRSP-I AgaKhanRuralSupportProgram-India
APFAMGS AndhraPradeshFarmerManagedGroundwaterSystems
ARWSP AcceleratedRuralWaterSupplyProgramme
AWMAs AquiferWaterManagementAssociations
AWMS AquiferWaterManagementSabha
BG BeneficiaryGroup
BPL belowpovertyline
CCDU CommunicationandCapacityDevelopmentUnit
CLTS CommunityLedTotalSanitation
CWB CropWaterBudgeting
CWS CenterforWaterandSanitation
DIA DistrictImplementingAgency
DSMG DemandSideGroundwaterManagement
DSU districtsupportunit
DWSM DistrictWaterandSanitationMission
DWSS DepartmentofWaterSupplyandSanitation
ESR ElevatedStorageReservoir
FAO FoodandAgricultureOrganization
FFS Farmer Field School
FWS Farmer Water School
GIS geographicinformationsystem
GMC GroundwaterMonitoringCommittee
GP GramPanchayat
GPOBA GlobalPartnershipforOutput-BasedAssistance
GPS GlobalPositioningSystem
GSDA GroundwaterSurveysandDevelopmentAgency
GVRT GramPanchayatVolunteerResourceTeam
ha m hectare metre
HDPE HighDensityPolyethylene
HRD humanresourcedevelopment
HUN HydrologicalUnitNetwork
ICPP IntegratedChildProtectionProgramme
IDA InternationalDevelopmentAgency
IDP InternallyDisplacedPeople
IEC information,educationandcommunication
IVR InteractiveVoiceResponse
KRWSA KeralaRuralWaterSupplyandSanitationAgency
lpcd litrespercapitaperday
lpm litreperminute
MANTRA MovementandActionNetworkfortheTransformationofRuralAreas
MEDA MaharashtraEnergyDevelopmentAgency
M-DAWS Multi-DistrictAssessmentofWaterSafety
MDG MillenniumDevelopmentGoal
MDPE MediumDensityPolyethylene
mg/l milligramperlitre
MJP MaharashtraJeevanPradhikaran
MoU MemorandumofUnderstanding
MSEB MaharashtraStateElectricityBoard
MTBF MeanTimeBetweenFailure
MVS MultiVillageScheme
MWS multi-villagewaterscheme
NABARD NationalBankforAgricultureandRuralDevelopment
NGP NirmalGramPuruskar
NGO non-governmentorganization
NREGS NationalRuralEmploymentGuaranteeScheme
NRDWP NationalRuralDrinkingWaterProgramme
ODF opendefecationfree
O&M operationandmaintenance
PHED PublicHealthEngineeringDepartment
PRI PanchayatiRajInstitution
PRWSSP PunjabRuralWaterSupplyandSanitationProject
PSU ProjectSupportUnit
PWS pipedwaterscheme
RGNDWM RajivGandhiNationalDrinkingWaterMission
RMDD DepartmentofRuralManagementandDevelopment
RO reverseosmosis
RSPMU ReformSupportProjectManagementUnit
RTI Right to Information
SC ScheduledCaste
SDF SikkimDevelopmentFoundation
SHG SelfHelpGroup
SIRD StateInstituteofRuralDevelopment
SLSSC StateLevelSchemeSanctioningCommittee
SNK ShikayatNivaranKendra
SRP SectorReformPilotProject
SSF Slow Sand Filter
ST ScheduledTribe
SVS SingleVillageScheme
SWAp sectorwideapproach
SWSM StateWaterandSanitationMission
TBS TarunBharatSangh
TSG TechnicalSupportGroup
TWAD TamilNaduWaterSupplyandDrainage
UFW unaccountedforwater
UJN UttarakhandPeyjalNigam
UJS UttarakhandJal
UV ultraviolet
UWSSC UserWaterSupplyandSanitationCommittee
VCA VanvasiChetnaAshram
VWSC VillageWaterandSanitationCommittee
WASMO WaterandSanitationManagementOrganization
WSP WaterandSanitationProgram
WUG WaterUserGroup
Numbers
1lakh=1,00,0001crore=10,000,000
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ForewordIndiabeingavastanddiversecountry,wefacemanychallengesinensuringreliable,sustainablesafedrinkingwatersupplytoruralhouseholdsofthecountry.Though,intermsofprovisionofsafedrinkingwater,wehavecoveredmorethan90percentoftheruralhouseholds,accordingtotheNationalSampleSurveyOffice(NSSO)65throundsurvey2008-09,wehavetorecognizethatmuchremainstobedonetoimprovelevelsofservicedelivery,waterqualityandsustainability.ThoughchemicalcontaminationofdrinkingwaterisbeingtackledtodayinNationalRuralDrinkingWaterProgramme(NRDWP),bacteriologicalcontamination,whichismoredangerousandalsomoreprevalenthastobesystematicallymeasuredandtackled.ThisrequiresconvergencewiththeTotalSanitationCampaigntoensureanopendefecationfreeandcleanenvironment.Slightlymorethan30percentofruralhouseholdsobtaintheirdrinkingwatersupplythroughtapswhicharemoreconvenient,savingtimeandlabourspeciallyofwomenandchildren.However,thisvarieswidelyrangingfromlessthan5percentinUttarPradeshandBihartomorethan80percentinTamilNaduandHimachalPradesh.
InthecourseofimplementationofruralwatersupplyschemessincethelaunchingoftheAcceleratedRuralWaterSupplyProgramme(ARWSP)in1972andRajivGandhiNationalDrinkingWaterMission(RGNDWM)in1986andNRDWPin2009,alargenumberofsuccessfulmodelsofprovidingsustainableandsafedrinkingwaterhavebeentriedoutthroughoutthecountry.Thesearebuildontraditionalexperienceandalsochartoutnewpathsusingthelatesttechnologiesandinnatewisdomofthepeople.Thoughconditionsvarywidelyamongthestates,intoday’sglobalizedworldwherecountrieslearnfromoneanother,therearemanylessonsthatstatesandregionsofthecountriescanlearnfromeachother.Expertsandpractitionersinthefieldofruralwatersupplyareawareofmanygoodpracticesthathavesucceededandsustainedindifferentpartsofthecountry.
WiththehelpofWaterandSanitationProgram(WSP),theDepartmentofDrinkingWaterandSanitationhascollectedsomemodelsofgoodpracticesfromdifferentpartsofthecountry.Carehasbeentakentoensurethesearedrawnfromasmanystatesaspossible.Inaddition,thegoodpracticesidentifiedcoveravarietyofareasrangingfromimprovedservicedelivery,operationofmulti-villageschemes,efficientoperationandmaintenance,ensuringwaterquality,measurestoensuresourcesustainability,pioneeringeffortsforwastewatermanagement,effectivecommunicationpracticesthathavebeenadoptedandinstitutionalreformsatstatelevelthathavebeentriedout.
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Wecanseefromthesecasestudiesthatlocalgovernments,throughcommunityparticipation,havebeenabletoprovide24x7watersupplytosavewomen’stime,waterandenergycost,installhouseholdconnectionswithmeterstoprovideeachandeveryonewithanadequateserviceandachievefinancialsustainability,entrustindependentbodiestotakecareofoperationandmaintenance,developefficientwatertaxescollection,learnfromoneanothertoimprovetheirmanagementpractice,increaseconsumervoicesandserviceprovidersaccountability,andmanagemulti-villagesschemes.
Waterqualitycanalsobetackled,byensuringanopendefecationfreeenvironment,empoweringcommunitiestodevelopwatersafetyplansandprotectingtheirsourcesanddeveloppartnershipwiththeprivatesectorforprovidingpurifiedwaterfordrinkingpurposeataffordableprice.
Achievingsustainableaquifersispossiblewithcommunityparticipation,traditionaltechnology,scienceanddemandmanagement.Thegroundwatertablecanbeincreasedby20to50feet,deadriverscouldbebroughtbacktolifeanddarkzonesbroughtbacktowhitezones.
Itisrecognizedthattherearemanymoresuchpracticesthatneedtobedocumented.
Wehopethatdifferentstateswouldidentifytheirownbestpracticesanddocumentthematthestatelevel.TheDepartmentwouldbehappytobringoutfurthercompendiaofgoodpracticesthatdonotfindplaceinthiscompendium.
Totakethelessonsfromthesegoodpracticesforward,theStateDepartmentsinchargeofruralwatersupplyareencouragedtosendteamsofelectedpanchayatrepresentatives,engineersandgrassrootlevelworkerstoseethegoodpracticesforthemselvestolearnfrom them.
Iwishtoplaceonrecordourdeepappreciationtoalloftheofficialsofthestateandcentralgovernments,PanchayatiRajInstitutions,non-governmentalorganizations,externalassistanceagencies,partners,andgrassrootlevelchampionsofallstateswhohaveworkedtirelesslyfortheireffortstofindnewandbetterwaystoensuredrinkingwatersecurity to rural communities.
(Arun kumar Misra)
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What drinking Water Security Means?
Everyruralpersonhasadequatesafewaterfordrinking,cookingandotherdomesticbasicneedsonasustainablebasis.Safewatershouldbereadilyandconvenientlyaccessibleatall times and in all situations.
What drinking Water Security involves?
1. Planforthe improved rural water supplyservice,basedonclearoperating,maintenanceandmanagementproceduresincludingclearO&Mcostrecoverypolicy,measurementforequitabledistribution,andtransparentarrangementforrenewal,replacementandexpansionofthesourceand/orthesystems.
2. Designandimplementofaseriesofpreventivemeasuresatthebasin,source,systemandhouseholdleveltoprotectwaterqualityanddevelopwaterqualitytestingfacilitiesatappropriatelevelsinthefieldforensuringthequality of drinking water supply.
3. Measurewateravailabilityandsupply(waterbudgeting),implementmeasurestoconserve,protect,enhanceandmanageofsurfaceandgroundwaterresources(includingconstructionofrainwaterharvestingandgroundwaterrechargestructures),developlocalselfregulationforwaterdemandmanagement,modifyagriculturalpracticesandcroppatternsanduseofmoreefficientirrigationsystemstoensuresource sustainability.
coMPendIuM oF RuRAL WATeR good PRAcTIceS FRoM IndIA
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IMPROVEDRURALWATERSUPPLySERVICE
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JeparofChudaTalukainSurendranagarDistrict,Gujarat,isavillagethatembracedthedecentralizedcommunitymanagedwatersupplysystemin2006.Ithasdevelopedawaterdistributionsystem,whichallowsall160householdstohavetapconnectionsandenjoy24x7watersupply.Thevillage’stwosourcesofwater–awellandNarmadapipewatersupplysystem–supplementeachothertoensureregularsafewatersupplytothevillage.Thetotalstoragecapacity
Inputs by: WASMo, Gujarat
isanElevatedStorageReservoir(ESR)of50,000litresandonesumpof20,000litres.
Beforethevillageadopted24x7watersupplysystemin2006,thesupplywasavailableforabouttwohoursadayandtheaverageconsumptionofwaterwasaround400litresperdayperhousehold.Wheneachhouseholdwasassuredof24x7supply,theconsumptionperhouseholdreducedto250litresperhousehold,thussaving25,000
24x7WaterSupply:SavingPeopleTime, WaterandEnergyCostLocation: Jepar village, Surendranagar district,gujarat
litresperdaywhichrepresents38percentofthewaterpreviouslydistributed.Powerconsumptionreducedtooby4.39unitsperdayor a decrease in one-third of the previouselectricitybill;anannualsavingofaboutRs.7,900.
Thereductioninconsumptionofwateroccurredprimarilybecausepeopleabandonedthepracticeofstoringwatertocoverseveraldays’needs.Now,125villagesinGujarataresuccessfullyoperatingthe24x7watersupplysystem.
Table 1: A comparative statement of consumption of water and power per day in Jepar
No.of Water Waterconsumption Powerconsumption Savingconnections consumption perday(litres) perday(units) ofpower(Nos.) forcattle atRs.5/unit (litres) (Rupees)
Before After Water Before After Unit Per Per 24x7 24x7 saving 24x7 24x7 saving day year (2hrs/day) (2hrs/day)
160 10000 65000 40000 25000 13.15units 8.76units 4.39units 21.95 7900
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1Sources: Mr. P. Shivashankar, Chief Executive Officer, Zila Panchayat, Mangalore, Karnataka.
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MeteringHouseholdConnections: ForEquitableDistributionofWaterand FinanciallySelf-SustainableWaterSchemesLocation : dakshina kannada district, karnataka
DakshinaKannada,acoastaldistrictinKarnatakaborderingKerala,issituatedonthewesterncoastofIndia,whichspreadsfromtheWesternGhatstotheArabianSea.Themajorpartofitslengthliesalongtheseaboard.Thepopulationisabout1.3millionpeople(2001census).Thedistrictischaracterizedbyscatteredhabitation,isolatedhouseholds,hillyterrainandsalinewaterinthecoastalbeltinthesummermonths.Thedistrictismadeoffiveblocksand203GramPanchayats(GPs)including368villagesand2,683habitations.
In2010,128of203GPs1adoptedmetersforhouseholdconnectionscoupledwithvolumetric-basedtariffandcomputerizedbillingandcollectioninDakshinaKannadaDistrict.ThisisuniqueinruralIndia.In2010,therewereabout43,000meteredconnectionsagainstlessthan4,500priortoadoptionofthispractice.
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Table 2: Taluka-wise types of schemes and the number of house connections in dakshina kannada
Taluka No.ofWSschemesbytype Totalhouse No.ofmetered MWS PWS HP connections connections
Mangalore 402 271 1294 31414 16244(52%)Bantwal 206 213 1123 21332 4401(21%)Puttur 156 238 1233 13815 10952(79%)Sulia 49 108 682 5259 3466(66%)Belthangadi 96 159 887 108949 8564(79%)Total 909 989 5219 82714 43627(53%)
Metershavesuccessfullyaddressedtheissueofunequaldistributionofdrinkingwater,misuseofwaterbyadvantagegroups,constantcomplaintsaboutinadequatesupplyofdrinkingwater,non-paymentofwatertariffduetopoorservicesandunbalancedbudgetleadingtohugependingelectricitybillsanddiversionofdevelopmentfunds towards maintenance of schemesbytheGPs.Metershavesavedwaterandenergycost.Eventually,everyhouseholdgetswatersupplyandpaysaccordingto what it uses.
ThemetershavealsotriggeredtheprofessionalizationoftheVillageWaterandSanitationCommittees(VWSCs).VWSCsbegantohireandmanagetechnicalstaff,preparetheannualbudget,reporttoGPauthoritiesandtheGramSabah,fixandadjusttarifftofullycoverincreasingoperationandmaintenance(O&M)cost,chargeonvolumetricbasis,anddevelopacomputerizedbillingandcollectionsystem.Infact,VWSCsmanagetheirwatersupplysystems on a utility management model.
ThefirstGPthatintroducedthemeters for all house connections
isKinnigoliGramaPanchayat,in2000,underthesectorreformprogramintroducedbytheGovernmentofIndia.BasedonthesuccessinKinnigoli,meteringwasadoptedbyotherGPswiththeguidancefromthedistrict-levelofficialsinDakshinaKannada.DistrictandBlocklevelmeetingsoftheGPs’Presidentsand Secretaries were the forums forsharingtheexperiences,whichworkedverywell.Sincethen,GPsinotherdistrictssuchasDavangereandShimogainKarnatakahavealsoadoptedmeterstoimprovewaterservicesandsavewaterandenergycost.
The cost of the meters is generally bornebythehouseholdsin addition to a one-time connection fee and installation costs. In case of the households belongingtotheScheduledCastes(SCs)andScheduledtribes(STs),theGPshavemettheexpenditurestowardsthemeterandconnectionfromGPfundsmeantforSCs/STsundervariousprograms.Presently,eachmetercostsuptoRs.750withpropercoverforprotection.Thelifeofthemeterisaroundfiveyearsdependingonpreventivecare.Mostmetersareavailableinthelocal market and manufactured eitherinBangalore(state
capital)orPunjab.TheVWSCtakestheresponsibilityofeitherreplacementofthemeterorrepairofthedefectivemeters.
MonthlytariffvariesfromGPtoGP.MostGPshaveoptedforvolumetricbillingbasedonconsumption.Therearedifferentslabswithaminimumchargeof around Rs. 50. There are differenttariffsfordomesticandcommercial users.
EachGP/VWSChassomefixedtimeframeformetering,billingandcollectionoftariffs.Theresponsibilityofmeterreading,issuingthebillsandcollectionrestswiththepumpoperatororbillcollectororanyotheravailablefunctionariesintheGP/village.Recoveryofwatersupplytariffismorethan90percentinthedistrict.
TheintroductionofmetershelpedtheGPs,withsupportfromVWSCs,tofulfillGovernmentofKarnatakarequirementsalongwithdeliveringamuchbetterservice.SincetheKarnatakaPanchayatRajAct,1993,O&MofruralwatersupplyschemeshasbeenastatutoryresponsibilityofGPs.In2002,theGovernmentofKarnatakaissuedordersstipulatingthatGPsshouldalso
MWS: multi-village water scheme; PWS: Piped water scheme; HP: Hand pump
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recoverfullO&McostsfromtheusersonlyandthedevelopmentgrantsshouldnotbedivertedtotheO&Mexpenses.
Thisexperiencedemonstratesthat,ifproperlymanaged,drinkingwatersupplyschemescanbemadefinanciallyself-sustainable.MostVWSCsmanagingpipedwatersystemswith metered connections in the districtareabletomeetO&Mexpenditure.SomeGPshavesubstantialamountofbankbalancetoearnagoodamountofinterestonthedeposits,asshownfromthesurveyinsevenvillagesinDakshinaKannadaDistrictinTable3.InTokur,forinstance,theVWSCisworkingforthelast10years.Itisproviding24x7watersupplyforthelastsevenyearsandmaintainingabankbalanceofmorethanRs.5,00,000intheVWSCaccount.Thevillagealsopumpsfourtimeslesswatersincethemeterswereinstalled.Meterssavewaterandenergy.
Metersquicklyandfullyaddressedtheissuesofpoorserviceand
Table 3: Income and expenditure on water supply of the sample villages for 2008-09
Village/GP Income Expenditure(Rs.) Surplus/ (Rs.) Salaries Electricity Repairs Total deficit
Tokur# 179976** 28754 19200 21595 62838 +110427Guthakadu# 152660 57557 33000 24872 115429 +37231Haleyangadi* 783064 214600 225800 179353 618953*** +164111Amaturkeshavanagar# 29700 10000 31018 300 44018 -14318Amaturjunction# 104304 24000 52508 6600 83108 +21196Pilathabettu* 716820 617662 +99158Kukkipadu* 257273 64200 121703 62838 248741 +8532
inequitabledistributionofwater.Thebenefitsofmeterswereimmediateandundisputable.Theywerethebestandsimplestsolutiontotheproblemsofunequaldistribution.TheKannadadistrictexperiencealsoshowsthatempowermentofGPsto take charge of the technical andfinancialresponsibilitiesforO&MandtheautonomyofVWSCsin day-to-day management of
Inputs by: Mariappa kullapa and christophe Prevost, WaterandSanitationProgram,55,LodiEstate,NewDelhi.
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Note: ** including the interest of Rs. 32,547 on bank balance of the VWSC ; *** including capital expenditure of Rs. 50,000; # Single villages/schemes ; *Entire GPs covering more than one village as well as water supply schemes.
thesystemwerecriticalstepstoresolvetheselocalissues,tobuiltaprofessionalmanagementandsustaintheserviceovertime.StrongsupportfromtheBlockand Districts authorities was also absolutelycriticaltoscalingupthispracticeandinachievingimpressiveresults.Thenextmainissueistosetupclearprocedurestoensurethequalityofwaterdistributed.
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Tosustainawatersupplyscheme,collectionofwatertaxiscritical.Thisisoneofthemajorchallengesfaced across the country and Maharashtraisnoexception.Variousideaswereexaminedtosolvethisdilemma.OnewasadoptedinKhambegaonGramPanchayat,thatprovidedanewmodelcalledKhambegaonmodel.
ThemodelisbasedonentrustingSelfHelpGroups(SHGs)withtheresponsibilityofwatertaxcollectionandday-to-dayO&Mofthewatersupplyscheme,
EfficientCollectionofWaterTaxesandOperationof WaterSupplySchemebyWomen’sSelfHelpGroupsLocation: khambegaon gram Panchayat, Parbhani district, Maharashtra
whereintheGPretainsonlytheresponsibilityofheavymaintenance,basedonan80/20percentshareofthewatertaxescollected.ThisideawasdevelopedintheWorldBank-fundedJalswarajyaProject.Khambegaonwatersupplyschememaintenanceisasuccessfulmodeloffering thefullestpotentialofreplicationacrosstheprojectvillages wheretheSHGsarestrong andempowered.
Since1980s,theGovernmentof India has shown increasing
concern for women’s issues. EmpowermentofwomenanditssubsequentimplementationboostedthewomenSHGmovementacrossthecountry.Ruraldevelopmentreceiveda new face in the form of activeparticipationbywomenandwomen’sgroupsinthedecisionmakingprocesses,implementationofschemesandprojectsattheGPlevel.Thesloganoftheprojectwas lokancha pudhakar tyat shasanancha sahabhag (peoples’leadershipandgovernments’
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participation).Theparadigmshiftfrom‘demanddrivenpolicy’to‘supplydrivenpolicy’sawamajorbreakthroughinthesectorandyieldedoverwhelmingresponsefromcommunities.SHGsintheJalswarajyaprojectinitiatedover27,000incomegenerationactivitieswithinthestate.
Khambegaonhasapopulationof1,500peopleandgotanewpipedwatersupplyschemetomanage.TheJalswarajyaprojectidentifiedwomenasanimportantstakeholderinthisprocessdrivenapproachandincorporatedvariousmeasuresfortheiractiveparticipation,taking into consideration the amendmentintheMumbaiVillagePanchayatAct1959.For formation of constitutional committeesinGramSabhas,a50percentwomen’squorumisstatutory,50percentwomenmustbeinvariouscommittees,andaseparatesub-componentforwomen’sdevelopmentisthekeysteptoaddresstheempowermentissue.Thesecomponentsaimedtoempowerthewomentoplayaneffective
roleinvillagedevelopmentactivities,includingwatersupplyandsanitation.O&MofthewatersupplyschemeisaninnovativeactivitystartedbytheSHGsofKhambegaonGP.
SailaniWomen’sSHGtookuptheinnovativeworkofwatertaxcollectioninMay2008.TheSHGfirstundertooktheexerciseof understanding the reasons behindpoortaxcollection.Theydecided that the communities shouldpaythewatertaxinadvancesothatthehabitofpayingforservicesisdeveloped.
TheSHG’swomenadoptedvariousmethodsfortaxcollection.Firstofall,inameeting,theydecidedtopayregulartax.Secondly,theycarriedoutdoor-to-doorvisitstoexplaintheimportancetaxpayment.Theresultswereseeninamonth’stime.WiththehelpoftheGP,aseparatewomen’sgramsabhawasorganized.Itwas unanimously decided to paytaxforthesustainabilityofthewatersupplyscheme.ThisSHGcollectedanadvance
of Rs. 100 and regular monthly collectionofRs.30perhousehold.Theyachievedasuccessful90percentcollection.TheinnovationwassuccessfulandtheGramSabhadecidedto enter an agreement with the SHGfortaxcollection.
OnMay17,2008,ameetingoftheSarpanchandofficerswasorganizedinwhichtheSHGmemberssharedtheirideasabouttheO&Mofthewatersupplyschemewhichwereappreciatedbyseniorofficers.Adetail circular was issued stating that the maintenance of water supplyschemesmustbecarriedoutbySHGsandthemodelmustbereplicatedinthestate.The circular included detailed guidelinesregardingexpensessuchasthesalaryofwaterman,TCLpowderandminorrepairs.TheSHGwouldget80percentoftheannualtotalcollectionoftaxtocoverregularoperationand20percentwouldbegiventotheGPforitsmaintenancefund.TheSHGssavetheirprofitandutilizeittobuildacorpusandtoprovideloanstoitsmembers.
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ThemodelhasbeensuccessfullyoperatingforthreeyearsandtheSHGs’incomehasrisenfromamereRs.6,000toRs.56,000yearly.Thispart-timeprofitmakingactivityhasboostedtheconfidenceoftheSHGs.Khambegaonhasbecomeasuccessfulexampleofsustainedwatertaxcollection,andapromisingmodelthatcanbereplicated.
Some factors for success includetheactiveparticipationofSHGs,thefaithshownby
Table 4: Balance sheet of the water supply scheme managed by Self help group in khambegaon
Totalno.ofhouseholds 140Total no. of connections 135Monthlycollectionperhousehold 30
Items Expenditure Revenue Rs. Rs.
Watermanpayment:750*12 9000MSEBlightbillyearly 5000TCLPowder:240Rs*12 2880Otherexp:500*12 600020%AmounttoGP 9720Numberofconnection*watertax*12months 48,600Total 32,000 48,600Balance 16,000
theGramSabhainSHGs,thecleardistributionofrolesandresponsibilitieswithinSHGsandGPs,theinitialrecognitionreceivedacrossthestate,andfinallytheincentivesthroughincomegenerationformembersofSHGs.
Currently,theKhambegaonmodelhasbeenreplicatedin 253GPsinMaharashtra. However,thereisaneedforcontinuoushandholdingofGPsandSHGsasthecommitteeskeepchanging.
MSEB: Maharashtra State Electricity Board
Inputs by: Mahadeo Jogdand, GenderSpecialist, JalswarajyaProject(RSPMU)WaterSupplyandSanitation
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Chinchalihasapopulationofabout25,000people.Twodecadesago,thisvillagewaswellknownforwaterscarcityinthedistrict.Womenandmenusedtocarrywaterfromariver2-3kilometresaway.However,thesituationistotallydifferenttoday.ThefirstpipedwatersupplyschemewasintroducedtothevillageundertheWorldBank-assistedIntegratedRuralWaterSupplyandEnvironmentalSanitationProjectin1994andsubsequentlyaugmentedduring2001-02underthesecondWorldBank-assistedJalnirmalproject.
Waterissuppliedeverydayforabouttwohours.Thevillagepipedwatersupplyschemeusesasurfacesource,hasanindependentwatertreatmentplant,pumpingmachinery(80HP)and1,100m3storagecapacity,andabout49,00metresofdistributionlines.Thewaterissuppliedthroughprivatehouseconnectionsaswellaspublicstandposts.Thereare810houseconnectionscomparedtoonly394in2001andtheremaininghouseholdsfetchwaterfromthepublicstandpostorsharetheprivateconnections.
Whatisuniqueisthatthewatersupplysystemisoperatedandmaintainedbyanindependentsociety.In2008,theVWSCchangeditsstatustobecomeanindependentsociety,fullyregistered,tobettermanagethesystem.Thesocietyiscomprisedof14villageleadersfromdifferentsections,whowereallmembersoftheVWSC.
TheGPandtheindependentsocietyhavesignedaMemorandumofUnderstanding(MoU)twoyearsago.Basically,theGPistheowneroftheassetswhilethesociety(KrishnaDrinkingWaterSupplyandRuralDevelopmentSociety)isresponsibleforoperations,repairs,maintenance,expansion,andbillingandcollectionoftariff.
TheMoUdetailsthefollowingpoints:
Functions of gP
• TheGPistheowneroftheallwatersupplyassets.Itisresponsibleforaccordingpermissionsforanynewwaterconnections
• Itisalsoresponsibleforfixingandrevisingtariffbasedonthebudgetforecastproposedbythesociety
Functions of the society (operator)
• Operation,repairsandmaintenanceofthewatersupplyscheme• Anyrepair(tobeattendedtowithin24hours)• Billingandcollection.• RetainingincometocoverallO&Mcharges• Placingmoneycollectedasonetimeconnectionfeeinfixeddeposits
AnIndependentSocietytoManageWaterSupplyServicewithGreaterAuthorityandEfficiencyLocation: chinchali village, Belgaum district, karnataka
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• Monthlyexpensessuchasallwages,electricitybills,O&Mexpenditures
• SubmittingdetailsregardingincomeandexpendituretotheGPeverymonthandsharingwith the community once a year
• Financingextensionofthedistributionlinetofacilitate new house connections
• Testingwaterqualityonaregularbasis
Initially,whileplanningandimplementationoftheWorldBankassistedproject,theVWSCwasestablishedinthevillagetomobilizethecommunity.Afterthecompletionoftheprojectin2002,theGPtookovertheresponsibilityofO&M.However,theGPwasunabletorecoverthewatertarifforcontrolillegalconnections.Asaresult,theO&MresponsibilitywastransferredtotheVWSCin2003.DespitetheefficientandtransparentmanagementofthesystembytheVWSC,somehouseholds(particularly,therichandvillagepoliticians)wereresistingpayingforwater.TheVWSCdidnothavelegalpowerstoissuenoticestodefaulteranddisconnect.ThisisthemainreasonforregisteringtheVWSCasanindependentsocietyunderKarnatakaSocietyActin2008-09andsigninganMoUwiththeGPforO&Mofthewatersupplysystems,withclearrolesandresponsibilityandpowers.
Varioustrainingandawarenessbuildingactivitieshavebeencarriedoutbythedistrictsupportunit(DSU)oftheJalnirmalproject.Inaddition,adviceandtraininghasbeenprovidedbyDSU.
ThecurrentwatertariffisRs.60andRs.10permonthforprivatehouseholdconnectionsandpublicstandpostusers,respectively.ThesocietyhasbeenablerecoverthetariffandhasapositivebankbalanceofRs.3,00,000;therearenopendingbills.
Thankstothecommunity’scommitment,thewatersupplysystemhasbeenwellmaintainedforthelastnineyears.Transparencyisakeyfeatureofthecommunity’spractice.Detailsofincomeandexpenditurehasbeenpublishedandsharedwithallcustomersinthevillagesforthelast10year.Recordsrelatedtofinancialmatters,includingthecapitalcostsharing,areavailablewiththesociety.
Thenextprojectofthesocietyistointroducemeteringtocontinuetoprovidegoodandequitableservicetotheincreasingpopulation,reduceelectricitybillsandsavewater.
Inputs by: Mariappa kullapa and christophe Prevost, WaterandSanitationProgram,55,LodiEstate,NewDelhi.
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The378householdsofKhintalavillageinSaylaTaluka,SurendranagarDistrict,usedtofaceseverewatersupplyproblems.Thereisnolocalgroundwateraquiferavailableand,therefore,nohandpumps.Thenearestsourcewasariverabout2.5kilometresfromthevillage.Womenandmenusedtospendaboutthreetofourhoursfetchingdrinkingwaterfromthissource.Thevillagewascoveredbygovernmentschemesbutthewaterseldomreachedthevillage.
Thischangedwhenanewwatersupplyschemewasconstructedbasedonthe‘clusterstorage’design,proposedbytheWaterandSanitationManagementOrganization(WASMO)andtheAgaKhanRuralSupportProgram-India(AKRSP-I)aspartoftheSwajaldharascheme.Thevillagewasdividedinto16clusters.Waterpumpedfromtheintake-wellwasdistributedtoeachclusterstorage.
24x7WaterSupplywithClusterStorage:IncreasingIncomesandSchoolAttendanceandReducingHealthExpendituresLocation : khintala village, Surendranagar district, gujarat
Figure 1: cluster storage network in village khintala
Eachundergroundstoragehasacapacityof10m3 andisequippedwithahandpumponthetop.Itcanstorewatertosupply20-25householdsperday.Twostoragesareconstructedintheprimaryschoolforschoolchildren.Theschemehasbeenrunningsuccessfullyfrom2004andlifeofthepeopleinKhintalahasgreatlyimproved.
Clusterstoragehasmanyadvantages.Firstly,waterisavailableatanytime;infact,manyseethisasa24x7waterservice.Secondly,powerconsumptionisreducedasthereisnoneedtopumpwatertoanelevatedtank.Thirdly,undergroundstoragetanksareeasytoclean.Finally,itiseasytorepairhandpumpsontanks.Overall,O&Mcostsarelowerthanwithpipedwatersupplyschemes.
Itallstartedin2004whenaschoolteacherfromthevillage,Mr.JoruBhai,heardaboutWASMOandtheSwajaldharascheme.Hehelddiscussionswithinthevillagetoconvincepeopletotakeupthisschemetosolvetheirdrinkingwaterproblems.However,therewasresistancetocontributing10percenttowardsthecapitalcost,asthevillagersfeltthattheirmoneywouldnotbewellutilized.AKRPS-IalsosupportedMr.JoruBhai.Finally,thepeopleagreedtoparticipateinthescheme.ThevillagersformedaPaniSamiti(equivalentoftheVWSCinotherstates)with14members,includingfourwomen.AKRSP-IandWASMOdistrictteamstrainedthePaniSamititomanagethewatersupplysystem.ThecostoftheprojectwasRs.14,00,000andthecommunity’scontributionwasRs.1,35,000;theremaining90percentwasprovidedbyWASMO.
ThePaniSamitiisresponsibleforO&Mofthesystem.Inconsultationwiththevillagers,thePaniSamitidecidedRs.150peryearasa‘waterusercharge’foreveryhousehold.ThechargeforindividualconnectionsisRs.450/year(about20households
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havetakenconnections).ThePaniSamitiundertakesregular chlorination of all tanks and monitors cleansingoftanksbybeneficiaryhouseholds.WiththesavingsintheO&Maccount,ithasbuiltcattletroughs.InJuly2008,thePaniSamitihadsavingsofRs.41,000initsaccount.
Theimpactoftheschemehasbeenoutstandingasrevealedbythe2008AKRSP-Istudy.Bothwomenandmensavedabout3.8hourswiththenewscheme.Someofthistimeisproductivelyusedtoenhancetheirincomes.IncomesacrossallgroupshaveincreasedfromRs.300/monthforlandlesslabourers;Rs.400/monthformarginalfarmers; Rs.700/monthforsmallfarmers;Rs.1,100/monthformedium-sizedfarmersandRs.13,00/monthforlarge farmers.
Theoverallfamilyexpenditureonhealthhassignificantlydecreasedoverthefouryears.Healthproblemsincluded,besidewaterbornediseases,headache,acutechestaches,andbackacheandspineailmentsinwomenduetocarryingwaterforlongdistances.Theaverageannualexpenditureondiseasesaftertheschemewasimplementedis Rs.500perhouseholdcomparedtoRs.1,820earlier;apercentagereductionof72percentforthevillage.
Theschooldropoutratehasreducedto1.5percentin2007comparedto10-15percentbeforetheimplementationofthescheme.Earlier,aswomenwerebusyfetchingwater,girlchildrenwereinvolvedin domestic chores.
AccordingtoMr.JoruBhai,50percentcreditforhigher school attendance goes to the drinking water supplysystemand50percenttotheotherfactorssuchasincreaseinawarenessabouteducation,activeinvolvementofteachers,developedinfrastructure and sanitation facilities in the school.
Figure 2: Average monthly income of households (Rs.)
Figure 3: expenditure on disease (Rs.)
Figure 4: number of children being admitted to school
Inputs by: Jonnalagadda V. Raman Murty, WaterandSanitationProgram,55,LodiEstate,NewDelhi.
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UniquetoGramVikas2 is the adoptionofthesocialinclusionapproachwhereinallfamiliesofahabitation,irrespectiveoftheireconomic,socialandcasteconsiderations,areprovidedthesameinfrastructureandservice.UndertheGramVikasscheme,everyfamilygetsaccesstogoodqualitytoiletsandbathrooms,coupledwiththreetapsperhouseholdand24x7pipedwater
supply.GramVikas’schemeintegratestheconceptsofdemand-ledsupplythroughdecisionmakingprocessesandcost sharing.
Inaddition,thisschemediffersfromotherapproachesbybreakingwiththeformulathatequatespoorpeoplewithlowqualityservicesandproducts.Thequality,convenienceandprivacyofthe
designhavereallychangedthedailylivesofthesepoorruralcommunitiesandledtowidespreadbehaviourchange,inducingcommunities with no history of fixedpointdefecationtoadoptnewhabits.GramVikas’MovementandActionNetworkfortheTransformationofRuralAreas(MANTRA),asonMarch31,2010,hasservedabout2,50,000peoplein787villagesin22districtsofOrissa.
2 Joe Madiath, Gram Vikas, Mohuda, Berhampur Ganjam, Orissa; www.gramvikas.org; [email protected]
ThreeTaps,OneToilet,OneBathroomforAll: Inclusion,HighLevelofServicesand Long-termSupportEnsureSustainabilityLocation: orissa
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GramVikas’coreprogram,MANTRA,isaresponsetotheabysmalqualityoflifeprevailinginruralOrissa.MANTRAisanintegratedhabitatdevelopmentprogramwithwaterandsanitationasthekeyentry-pointactivity.TheMANTRAapproachsetsanewpatternforwaterandsanitationcoveragebyprioritizingsanitation in addition to safe drinking water.
Cleanwaterwillremainadistantdreamuntilopendefecationiseradicated throughout the community.Therefore,toiletsandshowerroomsarebuiltfirst.Ineachvillage,people,primarilythelandless,aretrainedinmasonry,enablingthemtocontributeskilledlabour.Themasonsleadthe construction of the toilets and bathrooms.Investmentcostperhousehold for toilet and bathroomisestimatedatRs.10,000,ofwhichhouseholdscontributetwo-thirdsandGramVikasonethird.Householdscontributeintheformofcollectionoflocallyavailablematerial–stones,sand,makingbricksandunskilledlabour.Gram
Vikas’contributionisexternalmaterialincludingceramicpan,footpads,doors,andcementandsteelforroofcasting.However,thesubsidyamountisfixedatalimitofRs.3,000perfamily.Subsidiesarereleasedoncealltoiletwallsareuptotherooflevelandthetwosoakpitsarecompleteandcovered.Allvillagersbuildpour-flushtwinpitlatrines.Pipedwaterisimportantbecauseithasbeenfound,overtime,thattoiletswithoutwatersupplyareineffectiveandunused.
Thewatersupplysystemisdesignedtoprovide70litresperpersonperday.Allhouseholdscontributetothebuildingofthewatertankinlabourandinmaterial.Themainpipelineisprovidedthroughthegovernmentwatersupplyprogram,whilepeoplebearthecostoflayingthedistributionpipestoindividualhouseholds.Interestingly,participationofallhouseholdsisanon-negotiableconditionoftheprogram.Equalrepresentationandparticipationof men and women in community decision-making and control are
the key features of the institution buildingprocess.Astheresultofthe100percentinclusioncriteria,it could take one or two years or evenmoreforacommunitytoagreetoworkwiththeprogram.CapacitiesofmenandwomenintechnicalandorganizationalaspectsarebuiltovertimetoenablehandingovertocommunitiesandGramVikas’withdrawal. The maintenance of infrastructureistheresponsibilityofthevillagers.Localyoutharetrained to undertake minor repairsandmaintenanceofthepump,motorandpipelines.Since2009,whereverwaterispumpedusingelectricity,communities are installing water meters to bettercontrolwateruseandpromoteequity.
Ninety-sixpercentofwatersupplysystems constructed are still operational,evenaftermorethan10yearsinsomeinstances.(Theoldest systems are 13 years old and thelatesttwomonths.)ThatmeansthatcommunitieshavebeenabletocoverO&Mandmanagementcoststhroughvariousstrategies,suchas:(i)collectinguserfeesto
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paythemonthlyelectricitybill;and(ii)usingtheincomefromcommunityhorticulturepatches,fishrearingincommunitypondsand social forestry according to context-specificresources.Ifthisisn’tenough,thevillagescontributeanother0.5or1percentofthegrossproductatharvesttime.Sincetheinceptionoftheprogram,fivepumpshavebeenreplacedbythecommunitywiththeir own funds at a cost of Rs.25,000.
Ontheotherhand,tocopewiththepopulationgrowth,theinterestonthecorpusfundisusedforextendingsupporttonewfamilies,thusensuring100percentcoverageofallfamiliesatalltimesinthefuture.Nearly300familieshavebenefitedfromthisarrangement since 1996.
Sourceandenvironmentalsustainabilityisalsoaddressed.Insomedrought-proneareassuch
asinwesternOrissa,groundwaterrechargeisimplementedinabout30percentoftheschemestoraisethewatertableandpreventspringsfromdryingupthroughwatershed management activities.Theareaaroundthesourceiskeptcleantopreventpollutionofthewaterandensurethepipesarenotblockedbydebris.Thetreecoveraroundthesourceofthespringismaintainedatthewatershedleveltoslowdownsurfacewaterrun-off.
Incaseofgravityflowwatersupplysystems,thoughtheinitialinvestmentcanbehigh(dependingonthelengthofpipelineandsizeofstoragetank),therecurringcostsarelow.Ontheotherhand,tubewellsanddugwellsrequirewatertobepumped,thusraisingthecostofO&M.Tomeetoperationscost,amonthlyfeeperhouseholdofRs.30to50isfixedtopaytheelectricitybillforpumping(Rs.800to1,500).In
caseofmetering,thetariffishalfpaiseperlitre(Rs.5perm3).AssumingthatthemonthlyhouseholdbudgetisRs.3,000,waterexpenditurerepresentsabout1-2percent,whichcomparesfavourablytoacceptablestandards.
Thewatersourceisphysicallyandchemicallytestedbeforethewatersupplyisconnected.Oncethesupplyisconnected,wateristestedeverythreemonthsinthedryseasonandalmosteverymonthintherainyseasonas,afteraheavydownpour,itismostvulnerabletotheinfiltrationofcontaminants.Insomeareas,itwas found that contaminants suchasarsenic,fluorideandnitratesinthetubewellwaterhaveincreased.
GramVikaseducatespeopleabouthealthandhygiene,handwashingandtheimportanceofcleanlinessingeneral.Theimpact
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Inputs by: christophe Prevost and dr. Suseel Samuel, WaterandSanitationProgram,55,LodiEstate,NewDelhi.
onpeople’shealthisimpressive.Datafor2006showthatof81,000villagers,wherethewaterandsanitationprogramisimplemented,themajoritywerefreefromdiseases.AninternalanalysisbyGramVikasoftheirhealthdataforasampleof4,976peopleshowsan85percentreductioninwaterbornediseases/illnessoverallafterimplementationofthewaterandsanitationprogram,with88-90percentreductioninincidenceofdiarrhoea,jaundiceandmalaria.
Programruleshaveevolvedovertimebutkeyprincipleshaveremainedthesame:“allornone”and“toiletbeforewater”meansthatthevillagebecomesfreeofopendefecationsoonafterthefacilitiesarebuiltandhealthbenefitsareexperiencedattheearlystage.GramVikasenablesthecommunitytobecome
self-reliant.Communitiesdrivetheprogramandbearalargeproportionoftheworkandcosts.TheGovernmentofOrissaplaysthe role of a facilitator in this particularschemeandprovidesthebulkoffinancingforthewatersupplyinfrastructure.
Thisexperienceshowsthatverypoorandsmallcommunitiescanmanage and take charge of the O&Mcost.Highlevelsofservicealong with the community’s long-termsupportarekeyfactorsforsustainableservicedelivery.Thehighlevelofservicesmakesarealdifferenceinpeople’slife.Householdconnectionsand24x7servicesparewomenthedrudgery of fetching and carryingwater,andgivesthemmoretimetopursueproductiveactivities.Toiletsprovideprivacyandconveniencetowomen,sparingthemtheindignityof
havingtowalktopotentiallyunsafeplacesinthehoursofdarknessjusttoperformbasicbodilyfunctions.Bathingroomseliminatetheneedtobathefullyclothed and often in the presenceofmenincontaminatedpondsinwhichanimalswallow.Thereisclearlya“willingness topay”forthisimprovedlevel ofservice.
Long-term technical and institutionalsupportprovidedbyGramVikastobuildcapacityofthe community to take care of the system,developnormsforO&Mand undertake other developmentactivitiesisalsocritical.Incorporatinglivelihoodstraining(fishfarming,socialforestry,masonry,plumbing,etc.)asanintegralpartofthelong-termsupportprogramhelpsthecommunitytomeetcapitalandO&Mcosts.
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KumbhroraislocatedinthedroughthitareaofMahobaDistrict,onahillyslope,andisinhabitedby1,619people.
Beforeimplementationofthedugwellpipelinewatersupplyscheme,thevillagesufferedfromlackofwater;thethreeopenwellsandeighthandpumpswereinadequatetomeetdemand.Thehandpumps,installedbyJalNigam,driedupduringthedryseasonasthewaterlevelsdropped.Theminimumdischargeavailableinsummerwas 10to15litreperminute(lpm).Theopenwellswerenotprotected; theirsurroundingswereunhygienic,leadingtothethreatofwaterbornediseases.
Peoplewereunawareofhealthysanitationpracticesandopendefecationwasrampant,leadingtoaseriousenvironmentalthreatforthevillageandalsothewatersource.Thesmalltankinthevillageusedbyvillagersforbathing,animalwashing,washingclothesandotherdailywork,wasthesourceofdiseaseandinfectionasthemajorityofhouseholdswasdependentonthishighlypollutedwater.Theotherwatersourcewassituatedfarfromthevillageandinaccessibleintherainy season.
TheprojectobjectivesweretoimprovethequalityoflifeofthevillagersthroughinterventionsinwaterandsanitationtoenhanceaccessofthecommunitytowaterandsanitationbyinvolvingthegovernmentandtheGPandenhancingpeople’sownershipofthescheme,whichwereachievedtoagreaterextentduringtheprojectperiod.
Kumbhrorawasselectedin1996aspartoftheSwajalprojectinphaseone.Theplanningphasetookninemonths.Ademanddrivenapproachwasthecriteriaforvillageselection.Thecommunityplayedaleadingroleinplanningandimplementationactivitiesthroughdecisionmaking.SupportorganizationssuchasGramonnatiSansthanprovidedsupportincommunitydevelopmentactivitiesaswellasconstructionwork.Women’sdevelopmentactivitieswereundertakenforwomen’sempowermentwithanemphasisonbehaviouralchange.Asystemiclearningapproachwasfollowedthroughoutthescheme.Abalancedapproachestohygieneandsanitationawareness;achoiceamongdifferentwaterandsanitationtechnologies;strongemphasisonwaterandsanitationapproaches;thestrengtheningofenvironmentalcatchmentprotection,watershedmanagementandwatersecurityplanforthevillage;systematicuseoftheparticipatorymethod;a
EnhancingOwnershipandAccesstoWaterandSanitationwithSwajalLocation: kumbhrora village, Mahoba district, uttar Pradesh
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community-basedapproachtoservicedelivery;andcommunity-basedO&Mofthewatersupplyschemeweretheprojectpriorities.
Mobilizationofresourcesincluded:SwajalprojectRs.9,02,551,WaterAidIndiaRs.1,30,000,andgovernmentandcommunitycontributionRs.2,10,000.
Atpresent,theschemerunsonelectricpowersupply.WaterAidprovidedfurthersupporttoimplementintegratedwaterresourcesmanagementactivitiessuchasroofwaterharvestingwithrechargingpitandminicheckdamnearthewatersource,whichhascontributedtomakingtheschemesustainable.
Traditionalthinkinghamperedtheprogressoftheprojectinthebeginning.Theeldersfromthevillageswerenotreadytoacceptthesimplefactsrelatedtowaterandsanitation.Certaininnovationssuchasintegratedwaterresourcemanagementdidnotreceivesupportfromthecommunity.Thecommunity,withitsprejudicesandbiasesaboutnewtechnologyanditsusefulness,couldnotputafewchangesintopractice.Thefactthathandpumpsaresafersourcesofdrinkingwaterthanopenwellswasalsonotacceptedinthebeginning.Theage-oldmethodsofstorage,handlingandusingwaterandfoodwerefirstdiscussedandtheirprosandconswerealsoexplainedtothecommunity.Afterdemonstrationsandrigorousdiscussions,thecommunitybegantobeconvinced.Becauseoflowerlevelsofliteracy,theexposureofthevillagerswasalsolimitedandhenceawarenessgenerationtookmoretimethanexpected.
Droughtwasthebiggesthurdleduringtheprojectcycle.Around40-50percentofthevillagersmigratedbecauseofconsistentdroughtforfouryears.Theprogramreceivedasetbackinsomevillages,wherethemigrationwashigher.Inthesevillages,communityactionandindividualresponseswereslow.Peoplehadotherprioritiesratherthanconstructionoftoilets.Anotherdifficultywasthecollectionoflocalcontributions;theVWSChaddifficultiesincollectingtherequiredmoney.O&Malsotookabackseatsometime.TheVWSCworkedhardtopersuadepeopleandencouragethemintocommonaction.Butoncetheyunderstoodtheimportanceofwaterandsanitationinimprovinghealth,activitiesgainedmomentum.
Thankstotheproject,peoplehaverealizedtheimportanceofsafedrinkingwaterandareusinghandpumpsratherthanwellsfordrinkingwaterpurposes.Theincidenceofwaterbornediseaseshasreducedleadingtoimprovedstatusofhealthandlessexpenditureonillness;hygienicpracticesrelatedtowaterandfoodhaveconsiderablyimproved;thevillagershaveunderstoodtheimportanceofthequalityofwaterandtakenecessarymeasurestomaintainit;thecommunitynowhaslocalskilledpersonsforO&M;and,finally,theattitudeofdependencyeitheronthegovernmentororganizationshasreduced.
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Thecommunity’ssenseofownershiphasincreasedandpeopledependonthemselvesforO&Mofwaterresources.
Atthebeginningoftheproject,itwasobservedthatitwasdifficulttocommunicateinformationtoadults.Childrenprovedtobethebestchangemakers.Theyhavetheinquisitivenessandadesiretolearn.Theycanpasstheinformationontotheirparentsandothereldersoncetheyunderstandit.Theactivitiesrelatedtothehygieneprogramwerebasedonthesefactsandweresuccessful.Parents,especiallywomen,startedsayingthattheyhadbeenpressurizedbytheirchildrentofollowsafeandhygienicpracticesrelatedtofoodandwaterhandlingandtheyweretryingtochangetheirbehaviour.
Bundelkhandisinfamousforitssocio-culturaltraditionsthatprovidehardlyanyspacetowomeninthepublicsphere.Womeninitiallyneedsomesupporttocomeoutandlearnandshareinformationandstartactuallyparticipatingindecisionmakingprocesses.Thisboostsherconfidenceandgivesherstatusinthefamilyandthevillage.Ittakesmonthstocreateaconduciveatmosphereforwomentocomeoutandparticipate.Oncetheybecomepartofvariouscommittees,theyareexposedtoanarenaofissuesandthis,inturn,encouragesthemtospeaktheirmind.Thisstrategyhashelpedtheprojectandnowwomenascaretakers,ashandpumpmechanics,asmembersofVWSC,areperformingwell.
Forsustainability,thegovernmenthastobeapartandparceloftheprogram.Knowingthis,Gramonnati,fromthefirstday,involvedvariousgovernmentdepartmentsintheproject.Departmentssuchaseducation,PanchayatRaj,health,andruraldevelopmentwereinvolvedfromtimetotime.TheresourcesofthegovernmentatPanchayat,BlockandDistrictlevelsweremobilized.Theofficerswerealsoinvitedforvariouscommunityprogramsthroughouttheprojectperiod.Theseofficerswerealsoinformedabouttheprogressoftheprojectandtheirguidance was sought.
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Thiscontinuousinflowofinformationandsustainedeffortstocreateawarenesspaidoffintermsofchangeinbehaviourof60percentofthepopulation.However,thetaskwasindeedadifficultone.People,withtheirownconvictions,alwaystriedtofollowoldpatternsofbehaviour.Seniorcitizensarguedwithvillageworkersandittooktimeforthemtounderstandthereasonstochangetheirexistingbehaviour.
Aninitialsurveyshowedthat90percentofthepopulationwasunawareofhealthypracticesofhandlingfoodandwater.Duringinitialmeetings,peopledidnotshowinterestinthesetopics.AftermuchdeliberationwiththeVWSC,itwasdecidedtoconducthealthyhomecompetitionsineachvillagetocreateinterestandawarenessamongthepeopleabouthealthybehaviour.Thecommunitymonitoringteamsvisitedhousesandselectedthewinnersonthebasisofpre-decidedcriteria.Thehouseswithmaximummarksweregivengiftsatacommunityfunction.Thisstrategyprovedbeneficialas familymembersgainedstatusandrecognitionandwereselfmotivatedtofollow hygienicbehaviour.
Inthebeginning,whenhygieneeducatorsstartedtalkingaboutqualityofwateranditsrelationtovariousdiseases,noonebelievedthem.Peoplearguedthattheyhavebeendrinking water without testing for generations and did not feel the need to test it.
Throughaseriesofmeetingswithcommunity-basedorganizations,peoplewereconvincedtoundertakethisactivityintheirvillages.Theyweregiveninformationaboutvarioussalts,impuritiesinwateranddiseasestheycause.Waterfromvarioussources wastestedandresultswerediscussedwiththem.Afterseeingtheresults,peoplestartedusingwaterhandpumpsfordrinkingpurposesratherthanopenwells.Whenthis changehappened,thepercentageofwaterborneillnessesdecreased.Thisfactwasbroughttotheirnotice.Sincethen,testingofqualityofwaterhasbecomearegularfeatureoftheprogram.
Alltheseeffortshelpedthecommunityaswellasthegovernmenttobecomeactiveindeliveringimprovedservices.PeoplehavealsobecomeawareaboutdifferentschemesrelatedwithwaterandsanitationandhavepressurizedtheGPfortheirimplementation.Ithelpedtoestablishadirectcommunicationchannelbetweentheconcernedofficersandpeople.TheVWSCwasalsostrengthenedtouseaconvergenceapproach.
Inputs by: dr. Arvind khare is a social worker working with the NGOGramonnatiSansthan,Mahoba.E-mail:[email protected]
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AnEfficientSystemtoRecoverWaterTaxesLocation: Shiraguppi village, Belgaum district, karnataka
Shiraguppi,theGPheadquarters,issituatedatadistanceof150kilometresfromtheBelgaumDistrictcentreandliesatadistanceof60kilometresfromtheTalukcentre,Athani.RiverKrishnaflowsclosetothevillage.ThepopulationofShiraguppiis9,186.Sugarcaneistheprominentcommercialcrop.Shiraguppihasapipedwatersystemwith740homeshavingtapconnections.HomeconnectionsarechargedamonthlyfeeofRs.41.50.HouseholdsgettingwaterfromthepublictaparechargedamonthlyfeeofRs.10.
TheRuralWaterSupplyandSanitationCommitteegetsamonthlyelectricitybillof Rs.35-40,000,paideverytwo-threemonths.AftermostofthesugarcanegrowersofShiraguppiharvesttheircrop,theypaythewaterbillbetweenthemonthsofJanuary toMarch.
InShiraguppi,themethodforpaymentofwaterbillsisunique.Door-to-doorcollectionofwatertaxhasbeenstopped.Thewaterusersthemselvespaytheannualwatertax.DefaultersareincentivizedtopaybyexcludingthemfromGPmeetingsandnotissuingthemcivicorlegaldocuments.
Three challan System
TheRuralWaterSupplyandSanitationCommitteehasanaccountinShiraguppi’sKarnatakaVikasaGrameenaBank.Allwatersusershavetopaywatertaxintothisaccount.Thereisachallansystemtopaythewatertax.Itisatri-copy(carboncopy)challan.Theyearofpaymentofthewatertax,propertynumberandnamemustbefilledinthechallan,alongwiththebillamount,andpaidtothebank.Ofthethreechallans,thebankretainsonechallan,anotherchallanisgiventotheRuralWaterSupplyandSanitationCommittee.Inthismanner,afterpayingthewatertax,thechallannumber,billnumber,billamountareallrecordedintheCommittee’srecords.Oneofthechallansisretainedbythewateruser.
non-payment of Water Tax means non-issue of documents
ThosewhodonotpaywatertaxoranyotherbillsarenotissuedanydocumentsbytheGP.Nocertificateisgiveneither.OnlyafterpayingupthebillsaretheyallowedtoattendtheGPmeetings.
In2007-08,apersonfromthevillagepaidthousandsofrupeesaswatertaxatonego.Alongwithwatertax,thispersonhadnotpaidhisotherGPtaxesformanyyears.WhentheRuralWaterSupplyandSanitationCommitteemeetingwasheldinvillagecommunityhall,thisissuewasdiscussed.Itwassuggestedthatanoticebesentorprocessionorjatha gomarchingtohomesofpeoplewhodonotpaytheirdues.However,inafewdays,thepersonpaidallhisduestogether,andhasbeenpromptwithhispaymentssince.
AwarenesslevelsamongthepeopleofShiraguppiaresohighthattheypaytheirwatertaxoftheirownvolition.
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Instead of engaging contractors tobuildthewatersupplysystems,BeneficiaryGroups(BGs)directlyprocurematerialsandconstruct the schemes on their own,employinglocalworkers–bothskilledandunskilled.Thecommunity contracting system adoptedintheimplementationoftheJalanidhiRuralWaterSupplyProjectinKeralahassuccessfullydemonstratedthevalueofempoweringcommunitiestoberesponsiblefortheimplementationandmanagementofthewatersupplysystems.
Communitycontractingresultedinsubstantialreductionintheconstructioncosts(about15percentlessthantheapprovedestimates),ensuringgoodqualityconstructionandtransparency.TheaveragecapitalcostpercapitaisaboutRs.3,000.Thisapproachalsohelpedinmobilizinglocalresources,especiallymanpowerforconstruction,andmakingthebeneficiariesactivelyinvolvedintheentireprocesswherebytheirownershipandsustainabilityof the schemes are enhanced. Equallyimportant,thewater
supplyschemescompletedandcommissionedarenowbeingoperatedandmaintained(manyofthesenowformorethanfiveyears)bytheBGs.Watertariffshavebeenfixedappropriately,correspondingtoO&Mexpenditures,andarebeingleviedand collected in all the schemes.
Theobjectiveoftheadoptionof the community contracting approachwastoensuretransparencyandaccountabilityintheconstructionactivitiesand eliminate contractors and
CommunityContractingforCostEfficiency,TransparencyandAccountabilityinConstructionLocation: Jalanidhi Rural Water Supply Project, kerala
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associatedproblems.TheprojectfundsweretransferredtothebankaccountsoftheBG.Allpaymentsweremadefromthataccountbytheoffice-bearersoftheBG.Therisk in entrusting the construction fundswiththeBGsandtheirlackoftechnicalcapacityinbuildingtheinfrastructurewasovercomethroughintensivecapacitybuildingprogramsfortheoffice-bearersofBGs,closemonitoringandsupervisionfromthestaffofthesupportorganizationsandKeralaRuralWaterSupplyandSanitationAgency(KRWSA)andputtinginplacenecessarysystemsforchecksandbalances.
Toensuretransparencyinpurchasesandpayments,regularmeetingsoftheExecutiveCommitteeandGeneralBodyoftheBGwereheld,inwhichquotationswerepresentedanddecisionstakencollectivelyforallmajorexpenses.Inordertofacilitateproperselectionof construction materials like pipesandtheirspecials,productdemonstrationswereorganizedinGPsinwhichmanufacturerswereinvitedtopresenttheirsamples.IndependentConstructionQualityMonitoringconsultantswereengagedtohelpensuretheappropriateness,timeliness
andqualityoftheconstructionundertaken and of the other servicesprovidedduringprojectimplementation.
TheJalanidhiProjectimplementedbytheGovernmentofKeralawithWorldBankassistanceadoptedthecommunitycontractingsystem,wherein the entire construction responsibilitywasvestedwiththeExecutiveCommitteeoftheBG.MembersoftheExecutiveCommitteeresponsiblefortheconstructionactivitiesweregiventraininginvariousaspectsofconstruction management such as procurementprocedures,qualityassessmentofmaterials,fundmanagement,recordkeeping,accounting,qualitychecks,etc.,bythetrainingdivisionofKRWSA.ThesupportorganizationsemployedattheGPlevelprovidedhandholdingsupporttotheExecutiveCommitteeoftheBGinconstruction management.
JalanidhiProjectwasimplementedin122GPsinKeraladuringtheperiod2001-2008byKRWSA.Theprojectimplementedabout3,700microwatersupplyschemes mostly in the remote andwaterscarcelocations,whichbenefittedabout1.8millionpeopleintheruralareasof13districtsofKerala.
AtypicalJalanidhischemeprovidespipedwatertoabout50households,onanaverage,usingagroundwatersource(openwellsorborewells),storagetankandpumpinganddistributionlines.Thebeneficiaryhouseholdsareprovidedwithyardtapswhich
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supplyabout70litrespercapitaperday(lpcd)ofdrinkingwater.The schemes are owned and operatedbytheBGs.O&Mcosts,includingpowercharges,wagesofthepumpoperatorandrepaircostsarebornefullybytheBGsbycollecting monthly water charges fromeverybeneficiaryhousehold.The monthly water charges are generallyaroundRs.40-50perhousehold.
TheGPsfacilitatedtheimplementationoftheschemesbyproviding10percentcontributiontowardsthecapitalcostandthenecessarytechnicalsupportthroughsupportorganizations.Thebeneficiariescontributed15percentofthecapitalcostandareresponsibleforO&Mcosts.Thebalance75percentofthecapitalcostwasprovidedbytheGovernmentofKeralausingtheWorldBankcredit.Therewasreducedbeneficiarycontributioninthecaseofmarginalizedcommunities(ST)andwithinaBGtherewascrosssubsidizationtoensureinclusionofthepooresthouseholdsinthevillages.OutofthetotalprojectfundingofRs.392.2crore,Rs.52.96crore had come as community contributionsandRs.26.82crorefromtheGPs.Eventhetribalpopulations,whohithertohadonlyreceivedfreeservices,haveacceptedthechangeinthinkingandcontributedRs.83.6lakhincashandlabourtowardstheircapitalcostcontributions.
Thiscostsharingapproachhasbeenconsideredasaneffectivemeansof“ownership”andasademonstrablecommitmenttowards the maintenance of the assetscreatedundertheprojectforthebeneficiaries.
The success of the community contractingapproachisevidentinthegoodqualityoftheinfrastructureconstructed,costsavings,timelycompletionofthework,communityownershipoftheassets,etc.Themajorityof the Jalanidhi schemes were completedbelowtheinitialestimated costs. The community contractingresultedin15percentsavingsinthecapitalcostsofwatersupplyandsanitationschemes.Therewastransparencyintheentireconstructionwork,with the community choosing andprocuringthematerialsandemployingtherequiredlabour.Paymentsweremadethroughtransparentprocesseswhichresultedinbeneficiariesgettingconvincedabouttheexpenditureandtheutilizationoftheresourcesattheirdisposal.Theprojectalsoshowedthattheinvolvementofpoorlyeducatedortechnicallyunqualifiedlocalpeopleintheplanning,design,contracting and management phaseshasnotadverselyaffectedthequalityoftheinfrastructure.Onthecontrary,themajorityoftheschemeshavebeencompletedwellintimeandwithsuperiorconstructionqualitystandards.
The success of the community contractingmethoddependsmainlyon:(i)thecapacitybuildingfortheleadersoftheBGsintheconstructionprocesses; (ii)thehandholdingsupporttotheBGduringtheconstructionphasethroughsupportmechanisms;and(iii)thechecksandbalancesinplacethroughappropriatesystemsinfundandprocurementmanagement.
The community contracting methodisreplicable.Itwillhelpinabigwaytogetthecommunityfullyinvolvedintheprojectprocessesanddevelopasenseofownershiptowardstheassetscreated.Itwillbringdowncostsandwintheconfidenceofthepeopleandbuildtheircapacitiesto successfully manage the systemsbythemselves.
Thisexperienceshowsthatthemyththatthevillagerscannotbuildengineeringprojectswasprovederroneousbythefactthatthousandsofsmallwatersupplyschemeswerebuiltsuccessfullyusing the community contracting method.Indeed,peoplecanimplementandmanagewatersupplyprojectsandmeettheO&Mneedsoftheresultantwatersupplyschemesiftheyareproperlytrainedandauthorizedtodoso.Transparencyandaccountabilitycanbeensured iftherolesandresponsibilities ofthedifferentstakeholders arebalancedthroughwell definedpowers.
Inputs by: dr. Suseel Samuel, WaterandSanitationSpecialist, WaterandSanitationProgram,55,LodiEstate,NewDelhi.
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GovernmentofIndiainitiatedthereformprograminruraldrinkingwatersupplythroughtheSectorReformPilotProjects(SRPs)in67selecteddistrictsacrossthecountryin2001.InKerala,thedistrictsofKasaragodandKollamwereincludedinthisreforminitiativewhichaimed at facilitating demand driven,communitybasedmicrowatersupplyschemesinruralcommunities,sufferingduetoscarcityofproperdrinkingwaterfacilities.Thereformphilosophywastopromotecommunity
SuccessfulImplementationofSectorReformPilotProject: PanchayatiRajInstitutionscanDoit!Location : kasaragod district, kerala
participationandownershipindevelopingandmaintainingsimpleandsustainablewatersupplyschemeswhichcanensureaffordableandsafedrinkingwater.TheSRPinKasaragodDistrict has come out with flyingcoloursindemonstratingthefeasibilityandviabilityofcommunity managed water supplyprogramsintheruralareas.Thisdecentralizedapproachgeneratedtremendousenthusiasmandconfidenceamongthepeopletowardstheproject.Italsoensured
transparencyandaccountabilityinprojectimplementation.
ThestategovernmentdecidedtoentrusttheresponsibilityforimplementingthisSRPwiththePanchayatiRajInstitutions(PRIs).TheDistrictPanchayatwasmadetheimplementingagency.TheGPswerethegiventheresponsibilitytoidentifythewaterscarceareas,mobilizethecommunities,andplanandimplementthedrinkingwatersupplyschemes.SupportwasprovidedbytheProjectSupport
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Unit(PSU)andGramPanchayatVolunteerResourceTeam(GVRT).ThePSUhadamultidisciplinaryteamofprofessionalswithqualificationsandyearsofexperienceinmanagement,communitydevelopment,training,engineeringandfinance.TheGVRTalsowasamultidisciplinaryteamwithqualifiedpersonsinengineering,communitymobilization,accounts,etc.,andmanyofthemwereresidentsoftherespectiveGPs.WhilethePSUoperatedfromtheDistrictPanchayatoffice,theGVRToperatedfromtheGPoffice.TheGPsinKeralaarequitelargecomparedtootherstateswithapopulationofabout25,000,onanaverage.ThewatersupplyschemesareimplementedthroughBGsof households interested in becomingbeneficiariesoftheproject.TheseBGswereregisteredundertheCharitableSocietiesActwithaGeneralBodyofmemberhouseholds and an elected ExecutiveCommittee.Onanaverage,eachBGhadabout40-50memberhouseholds.
FiveGPswereselectedfortheinitialphaseandlateritwasextendedto12moreGPs.TheselectionoftheGPstookplacethroughatransparentprocessusingwelldefinedcriteria.IneveryGP,about25watersupplyschemes each were taken upafteradetailedresourcemappingandcommunitymobilizationprocess.Thewater scarce areas within a GPwereidentifiedthroughGramSabhasandBGswereformed.Theoffice-bearersoftheBGsweregivenintensive
theBGswereresponsibleforprocurementofmaterials,employingskilledandunskilledlabour,etc.TheSRPfundsweretransferredtothebankaccountsoftheBG.Allpaymentsweremade from that account. The progresswasmonitoredbytheGVRTandPSU.
Inall,439communitymanageddrinkingwatersupplyschemesand97schoolwatersupplyschemesin32GPswerecompletedunderSRPandthesubsequentSwajaldharaProject.Thesewatersupplyschemesbenefitabout1,50,900peoplein23,627households,whohavebeenprovidedwithhouse
O&Mcostincludingthepowercharges,wagestothepumpoperatorandtherepairexpensesarepaidfromthemonthlycollection of water charges from beneficiaryhouseholds,whichisonanaverageRs.50permonthperhousehold.Amajorityoftheseschemes(morethan90percent)arestillfunctional,quitewellmanagedbytheBGswiththeirownresourcesandnosubsidyfromthegovernmentorPRIs.
ThededicatedandefficientleadershipofthePRIsinthedistrictisthemajorreasonbehindthissuccessstory.TheleadershipofboththeDistrictPanchayatandtheGPsexhibitedadeepsenseof
trainingatvariousstagesofimplementationbythePSUandGVRT.TheBGswereactivelyinvolvedintheidentificationofthesource,designingthescheme,mobilizationofthe10percentbeneficiarycontributiontowardscapitalcost,constructionsupervision,etc.Theentire construction was carried out through the community contracting method in which
connectionsthroughayardtap,accordingtopeople’sdemand.ThetotalexpenditureisaboutRs.343millionofwhichthecommunitycontributedaboutRs.33million(10percent)andtherestwascontributedbytheGovernmentofIndia.
These schemes are now fully managedbytheBGsundertheguidanceoftheGPs.Theentire
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locally.Itiscosteffectiveand canprovidesatisfactorylevels ofservice.
Theprojecthasprovedthatrural communities are willing to contributetodevelopingfacilitiesfortheirbetterment.Thegeneralperceptionthatpeopleareunwillingtocontributeforwaterfacilitiesisnowanoldstory.Here,amajorityofthebeneficiariesarethepoor–belowpovertyline(BPL),SC/STandotherbackwardclasses.Theycontributed10percenttowardsthecapitalcostandarenowsharingtheO&Mcost without hesitation. The managementoftheO&MaspectsbytheBGs,especiallytheircontrolinregulationofwatersupplyand collection of monthly user charges,isanindicationoftheirlevelofownershipandcapacity.
The enthusiasm and momentum createdbytheSRPindevelopingacultureofparticipativedevelopmentintheruralcommunitiesofKasaragodistremendous. The success of this approachisnowmotivatingpeopleinuncoveredareastoputpressureontheirlocalgovernmentleadershiptoinitiatesimilarprogramsintheirlocalitiesalso.Attheendoftheprojectperiod,ithasemergedasagoodmodelforPRIled,demanddriven,and community managed water supplyprograminthestateandthe country.
Inputs by: dr. Suseel Samuel, WaterandSanitationSpecialist, WaterandSanitationProgram,55,LodiEstate,NewDelhi.
helptheBGstomanagevariousaffairslikeprocurement,finance,bookkeeping,O&M,monitoringandevaluation,etc.,aregoodexamplesofaneffectivecapacitydevelopmentstrategy.TheprojectimplementedseveralcapacitydevelopmentprogramsforthePRIstocapacitatethePRIrepresentativestoplayafacilitatingroleintheimplementationoftheproject.
Thetransparencywithwhichtheentireprocesswascarriedoutisanimportantfeature.Thecommunitycontractingprocessadoptedinconstructionoftheschemeshelpedineliminatingmalpractices.Thisenhancedthefaithofthepeopleinthisprogramwhichmaximized theirparticipation.Italsohelpedinreducingthecostswhich is reflected in the completionofschemesat about85percentcostoftheapprovedestimates.
Thesuccessoftheprojecthasdemonstratedthat,toalargeextent,solutionstodrinkingwaterproblemsinthevillagescanbefoundlocallybyharnessinglocal resources under the aegis ofthelocalgovernments.Theinitialsupportforinformation,education and communication (IEC),capacitybuildingandcapitalcostcanempowerpeopletomobilizethemselvesandactcollectivelytofindsolutions
Thecapacitydevelopmentactivitiesundertakenmadesubstantialcontributionintheeffectiveimplementationoftheproject.Iteducatedtheusergroupsonthephilosophyof community managed water supplyprogramsandcapacitatedthemtotakeupthechallengingtasksofbuildingawatersupplyschemebythemselves.Thevarioussystemsandproceduresdevelopedbytheprojectto
commitment and worked hard in implementingthisdifficultnewinitiativewhichisdifferentfromtheconventionalsubsidyorientedpopulistprograms.ThematurityshownbythePRIleadershipinrisingabovenarrowpoliticalconsiderationsandcooperatinginsuccessfullyimplementingthisprojectisagoodmodelfordecentralizeddevelopmentadministration.
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Successful24x7WaterSupplyinaSmallTownLocation: Malkapur town, Satara district, Maharashtra
ThewatersupplysysteminMalkapurtownisthefirstinitiativeinIndiawheretheentiretownisoperatingon24x7basis.TheinitiativeatMalkapurhasledtoremarkableefficiencyimprovement:i)percapitadailyconsumptionreachedanaverageof110litres;ii)waterrequirementreducedby30percent; iii)operationalcostrequirementreducedbyRs.75,000permonth;iv)revenuecollectionefficiencyincreasedfrom60to80percent; v)sufficientpressureinthedistributionnetworkhasreducedelectricityconsumptionoftheMunicipalCouncilaswellasfortheconsumerstotheextentof27.528kilowatt(KWH)permonth;and,finally,unaccountedforwater(UFW)representsbetween 8-12percent,whichisanextremelygoodperformance.ThewatersupplysystemisoperatedbythetechnicalunitunderthesupervisionoftheMunicipalCouncil.
Malkapurareaiswellknownforitsenterprisingfarmersandanefficient co-operativesectormanagingsugarmills,liftirrigationsystems,milkproduction,andcollection and selling. It is fast growing town becauseadjoiningKaraddoesnothavespacetoaccommodateagrowingpopulation.Thegrowthratesbetween1981-91and1991-2001are58percentand275percent,respectively.Thepopulationin2009wasaround35,000whilethe1991censuspopulationwas5,976.In2007,Malkapurgotthestatusoftown.
Apipedwatersupplyscheme,commissionedin1988,wasdesignedforanexpectedpopulationof14,000in2010onthebasisof40litrespercapitaperday.In2001,thepopulationwasalreadyabout23,000surpassingtheinitialforecast,whichresultedinpoorservicelevels.TheGPcouldnotmeetminimumrequirementforwaterevenafteroperatingthesystemforallthosehoursof
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the day when electricity was available.Therewasnofixedtimeforwatersupplytothecitizens;it was usually two or three hours everyalternateday.Peoplehadtoresorttotankerandborewellwater.TheGPwasunderpressureandalsodependedon11borewellswithpowerpumps,inadditiontothepipedwatersupplysystem.Withnofixedscheduleforwatersupply,peoplehadtowaitdayornight.Thepoor,unreliable,untimelyserviceledtononrecoveryofwaterchargesfortheGP.Tryingtoprovideserviceunderthegivenconstraints,theGPincurredadditionalexpensesonenergyforborewellpumpsand tankers.
AugmentationofthewatersupplysystemwasapprovedinJune1999butstartedinDecember2002.Thesystemwasdesignedtoprovide55lpcdofwaterforapopulationof67,196peopleprojectedfortheyear2030.ThebulkwatersystemconsistedofwaterabstractionfromperennialriverKoyna,andpumpingittothewatertreatmentplant.Thetreatedwaterispumpedtothemasterbalancingreservoirlocatedonthehill. The treated and disinfected wateristransferredtothefiveservicereservoirscoveringsixzonesofdistribution.ThesystemuptotheESRwasreadybyJanuary2005.Watersupplydistributionwasdonethroughthe earlier system.
ThenextphaseforimprovingthewatersupplyinMalkapurfocusedonthedistributionnetwork.MaharashtraJeevanPradhikaran(MJP)suggestedtheconceptof24x7watersupply.TheengineersofMJPprovided“the”critical
input,extensivemobilizationandhighqualitytechnicalsupporttotheGPtoensurethis24x7initiativesucceeded.
InJanuary2007,theGPmetandresolvedintheGramSabhatoeffectivelyimplement24x7watersupply.TheelectedrepresentativeandMJPengineersformed teams and conducted ward wise meeting of consumers andwomeninparticularandexplainedthebenefitsof24x7watersupply.Itwasalsoexplainedthattelescopicrateswouldhelptheminavoidingwastage of water. The charges wouldbeonlyforthewatertheyusedasreadbyameterasagainsttheearlierflatrates.Tocurbexcessiveutilizationofwaterbytheconsumers,theelectedrepresentatives,supportedbyMJP,agreedonthetelescopicratestariffstructureanddecidedonthreeslabswiththefollowingrates:upto70lpcdatRs.4.50per1,000litres;70to120lpcdat Rs.7.00per1,000litresandabove120lpcdatRs.10.00per1,000litres. Rates for commercial connections were decided asRs.9,14,and20per1,000litresdependingonthetypeofactivity.TheactualworkonthedistributionnetworkstartedinMarch2008.
TheGPandMJPpursuedtheinitiativeasasingleteam.TheGovernmentofMaharashtraprovidedcompletesupporttotheinitiativethroughfundingundertheAcceleratedRuralWaterSupplyProgramme(ARWSP).TheMemberSecretary,MJP,helpedinimpartingeducationforusingthesoftware,WaterGems,anddesigning the system himself
whenhewasChiefEngineer.ThemanufacturerofpolyethylenepipesallowedtheelectedrepresentativesandengineersofMJPtovisitthefactoryandexplainedmanufacturingandquality.TheaftersalesupportfromM/s.ARADMeters,Israel, isnotable.
The main outcomes of shifting to a24x7watersupplyare:
• Improvementindeliverytimeandservices.24x7supplyhastotallyremovedthe constraints of waiting for irregularwaterservicesandpeoplehavemoretimeforproductiveactivities.Womenareespeciallyappreciativeofthe24x7supplyastheydonothavetofetchthewaterfromlong distance.
• Qualityofwater.Thequalityof water is now guaranteed asthepipesarecontinuouslypressurized.KrishnaMedicalCollege,Karad,carriedoutastudyonthequalityofwaterafter the commissioning of the24x7system,andreportedthat100percentofthesampleswerepotableandfreefrom contamination.
• Decreaseinwaterborneillnesses in children. The surveycarriedoutbyAnganwadiSevikaindicatedthatthewaterbornediseasesinchildrenhavereducedremarkablytonearzerolevel.
• Reductioninwastageofwater.Wasteful use of water has reducedbyabout30percent.DemandmanagementbyIECandthetelescopictariffstructurecontributetothisperformance.Allzonesarenowgetting24x7supply
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andpumpingrequirementhasdecreasedto13-14hourscomparedto19-20hoursbeforethedemandmanagementexerciseandimplementationofthetelescopictariff.
• Shiftingcontrolofthedistributionsystemfromthevalvemantotheconsumer.Valvesarenolongerrequiredtobeoperatedinthedistributionnetworkandconsumersdonotdependanymoreonthevalveoperators.
• Meterreadingandbillingaresimplified.Thetypeofwater meters installed can bereadremotelybydrivingthrough the streets using handhelddevicesandradiofrequency.Dataarefreefromerrorscomparedtomanualhandling. The readings are downloaded from the handheldi-paq(ahandhelddevice)tothecomputerandmonthlybillsaregeneratedimmediately. Thus the earlier annualbillingprocedureisnow carried out on a monthly basis.Asaresult,thecashflowoftheMunicipalCouncilhasimproved.Thesystemmakes it easier for consumers topayattheendofeachmonthcomparedtoearlierwhenalargesumhadtobepaidonceayear.Atthesametime,revenuerecoveryhasimprovedfrom60percentearlierto80percentandisimprovingdaybyday.
• Savinginelectricity.Hugesavingsinelectricityhavebeenmadeaswaterinnolongerrequiredtobepumpedbypeoplelivingintwoorthreestoreybuildingsand
theMunicipalCouncilalsostoppedusingits11powerpumpsonborewellsforsupplyingwater.Thishassavedelectricitytothetuneof3,30,336KWHayear,basisactualelectricitybillingdatapre-andpost-project.ThisexercisewascarriedouttosubmitaproposalfortheEnergyConservationAwardtotheMaharashtraEnergyDevelopmentAgency(MEDA).Theenergysavedis
equivalenttoareductionof450tonnesofcarbondioxideintheatmosphere.
• Reductioninoperationcost.Asimpleautomationsuchasoperatingrawwaterpumpsfrom the water treatment plantusingGSMtechnologyhas reduced the cost of operationastherawwaterpumpingstationisnowun-manned. This has eliminated therequirementoftwopumpoperatorsthere.
Box1:KeyprinciplesfollowedinMalkapurtoimplement24x7watersupply
Theconsumershallgetwaterwheneverheopensthetap.Consumersneedwateratdifferenttimesoftheday.Thismakesredundanttheconceptofstorageofwaterandthrowingitawaythenextdaywhenfreshwaterisreceived.Theinvestmentinstoragevessels/tanksalsocomestoanend.
Consumerspayastheyuse:Thisprincipleofconsumerspayingaspertheirusageprovidestheincentiveforresourceconservation.Themeteredwatersupplysystemprovidesanopportunitytochargeasperthevolumesofwaterconsumed,unlikeinun-meteredflatrates,wherethequantityconsumedisnot the criteria. This encourages consumers in a metered system tominimizetheuseofwater,closethetapwhentheydonotwantwater.Thishelpsthepressureinpipestobemaintainedandconsumerslocatedathigherelevationdonotsufferaslowerelevationconsumerstrytoclosethetapassoonastheirrequirementisfulfilled.Thisprovidesequityamongstconsumers.
Payathigherratewhenusinghigherpercapitawater:Thetelescopicratesadoptedrequirethehigherpercapitausageofwatertobepaidathigherrates.Theminimumrequiredwaterisprovidedataffordablerates.Thusthepoorarecateredtowhiletheyalsoenjoythebenefitof24x7wateravailability.Thehigherrateinslabsforhigherconsumptionrecyclesthewealthfromtherichtothepoor.
Theservicetoworkonnolossbasis:Thewatersupplyservicewasadvisednottoberunataloss.Tariffratesweredeterminedaccordingly.Greatcarewasalsoneededtokeepoperationalexpendituretoitsminimum.Effortsshouldbemadetoautomateasmanycomponentsofthesystemaspossible.
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Inputs by: Rajendra holani,ChiefEngineer,MaharashtraJeevanPradhikaran;Manohar Shinde, VicePresident,MalkapurNagarPanchyat;u.P. Bagade,SectionalEngineer,MJP;Basugade,
SectionalEngineer,MJP;Bhopale,SectionalEngineer,MJP.
madeeffectivewaterauditingpossibleatanypointoftimeandto100percentaccuracy.Fourthly,thesuccessfulimplementationofthetelescopictariffisanotherinnovativeaspectoftheinitiative.ItssuccessfulimplementationispossibleonlywithgreatestmicrodetailingandAMRtypemeters.Fifthly,theprovisionofbulkmetersattheoutletoftheESRandatconsumerpremises,andthepressuresensoratthesalientpointinthedistributionnetworkhasmadeitpossibletocalibratethe hydraulic model and simulate the system. This has made it possibletomonitorthesystemand determine where it has gonewrongbyunderstandingthepressuresensorreadingtransmittedtothecomputer,usingGSMatfixedtimeintervalsandcomparingitwiththerangeinwhichthepressureshouldnormallybe.Possibleleakagesinthesystemarediscoveredwithout going to site.
ByusingAMRmeters,ithasbecomepossibletounderstandtheleakagesintheplumbingsystemattheconsumer’spremisesevenbeyondthewatermeter.Thisispossiblebytakingreadingsatdifferentpointsintimeinadayornight. Those meters which show abnormallyhighconsumptionatnightcanbeinvestigatedbyapproachingtheconsumerandconfirmingwheretheleakagesareintheplumbingsystem.Thisexercisehasmadeconsumersaware and the leakages in
plumbinghavebeenremoved,leakingtapshavebeenchangedandtherehasbeenapositivechangeinhabitsofpeople
Theinitiativeisreplicablewherethesystemcapacityissufficientto cater to an increased demand inthetransitionphasewhenthetownisswitchingoverto24x7supplyanddemandiseffectivelymanaged through mass awarenessandtelescopicrateimplementation.Theperi-urbanareaswherethedistributionnetworkistobelaidtotallyafresharethebestareaswherethesystemcanbereplicatedsuccessfully.
Theschemeissustainable,bothphysicallyandfinancially.ThewateravailabilityinthesourceriverKoynaissufficient.Thesystemcapacityissufficienttotakecareoffluctuationsin demand for another 10-15 years.Financially,theschemeissustainableastheoperationscostandrevenuematchclosely.TheMunicipalCouncilhasdecidedtoincreasetherateseveryyeartoretainthesustainabilityofthesystem.Infact,acommitteeoftherulingparty,oppositionparty,expertsandthosewhowereopposingtheinitiativeorrequestingforlowerrateshasbeenconstituted.Thecommitteehasbeentaskedtoproposerates in such a manner that there willbenolossinoperatingthesystem.Therecoverylevelsarealso increasing.
• ReductioninUFW.UsingAMRtypebulkmetershasmadeitpossibletotakeallthe readings remotely and withthesesnapreadingsitispossibletocarryoutdayto day water audits. The measuredUFWinthesystemisbetween8-12percent,whichisanexcellentperformance.
Theprojecthascomeupwithanumberofinnovations.Firstly,thedesignoftheWaterGemssoftware to design the system. Secondly,theuseofrollsoflonglengthsofHighDensityPolyethylene(HDPE)pipesthatrequiresfewerjoints.Thejointsare made using electrical fusion weldedcouplersandspecials.Thehouseserviceconnectionsusefusionweldedtappingteesfixedwithbrassferrule,followedbycompressionfitting,singlelengthofMediumDensityPolyethylene(MDPE)pipetotapteetothemeterinthepremisesoftheconsumer’shouse,AMRmeterandballstopcocksbeforemeter.Allthismaterialofconstructionandjointingmethodology made the system innovativelyleakproof,whichisthebasicrequirementfor24x7operationofanysystem.Thirdly,theuseofAMRmetersforbulkmeteringtomeasuretheflowleavingservicereservoirsandonall consumers connections has madeitpossibletoreadthemusingahandhelddevicewhiledrivingalongthestreetfor10minutesforeachzone.Thishas
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Morethan75percentofIndia’spopulationlivesinruralareasand85percentoftheruralwatersupplyisgroundwaterbased.HenceborewellswithIndiaMarkIIhandpumpsarethemostimportantelementsofruralwatersupply.However,itisalsoawellknownfactthat,duringsummerwhenthewaterlevelsdeplete,accessingwaterbecomesthatmuchmoredifficult.Ifpumpinglevelsdepletebelowtheliftingcapacityofthehandpump,36metres,itstopsworkingandwaterscarcity is declared in that area
UseofSolarEnergyforDualPumpScheme: ABoonforWomenLocation: Maharashtra
despitewaterbeingpresentintheborewell.Inruralareas,generallywomenhavetofacealltheseproblems.Thepatriarchalsocietyholdswomenresponsibleforsuchroutine tasks hence these women craveforatapwatersupply.
TheGroundwaterSurveysandDevelopmentAgency(GSDA)oftheWaterSupplyandSanitationDepartmentoftheGovernmentofMaharashtra,realizedtheplightof rural women and came forward withaninnovativesolutioncalledDualPumpScheme.
Inthisscheme,asinglephase1HPsolarpoweredsubmersiblepumpisinstalledintheexistinghighyieldingborewellhavingahandpump.Pumpedwaterisstoredina5,000litretankandwatersupplyisprovidedtoeachhousethroughatap.Rooftoprainwaterharvestingismandatorytomaketheschemesustainable.Hence,watersupplyisrestoredbyeitheroneofthepumps.
Afterimplementationof1,000suchschemes,duetohugedemand,theGovernment
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ofMaharashtradecidedtoimplementtheseschemesusingrenewablesourcesofenergy such as solar energy in difficulthillyhabitations,whereelectricitysupplyisnotavailablenear the source. The scheme has becomeoneofthemostuseful,economical,eco-friendlyandpopularschemesinthestate.
TheseschemeshavenowbeenimplementedinLeftwingaffectedblocksofGadchiroliDistrict.Thesevillagesaresituatedindeepforestsandmostlyinaccessibleduetothehilly terrain where the collection ofrecoveryofthemaintenanceofthehandpumpschemeisaseriousproblemandrepairinghandpumpsisagreatproblemduetodifficultroadconditionsandinaccessibility,particularlyduring the rainy season.
Ifthesolarpumpdoesnotfunctionduetocloudyweather,peoplecanrestorethewatersupplywiththehelpofthehandpump,asusual.These
schemesdifferfromthepreviousschemeswhichareborewellbased.Earlier,submersiblepumpswereinstalledonthehigh yieldingborewellswithouttakingcareofartificialrecharge.Hence,shiftingofpumpswascommon when the ground water availabilitydecreased.Housetohousetapconnectionswerenotprovided.Pumpsinstalledwerealsoofhighercapacity.Electricitychargeswerebeyondthefinancialcapacityoftheendusers.Removalofthehandpumpcylinderandriserpipesforregularmaintenanceandrepairs,withoutremovingthesubmersiblepump,isappreciatedbythehandpumpmechanicsandvillageartisans,nowpossibleduetoaspecialwaterchamberdevelopedby theGSDA.
ThisisademanddrivenschemewithseveralIECactivitiescarriedoutattheBlockandZilaParishadlevels.Anumbersofworkshopswithaudiovideoandpowerpointpresentationswereconducted.Habitationswithhighyieldingborewellsandtotallydependentonhandpumpsmadeawareoftheschemewiththehelpofprintedmaterial.Adocumentarywasscreenedintheworkshopsand meetings. Junior engineers fromtheZilaParishadwereimpartedtraining.Progresswasreviewedatstate,regionalandDistrictlevels through videoconferencestosavetimeandmoney.AllschemesareimplementedbyGPsonly,undertheguidanceandsupervisionofengineersofthedepartment.
Theschemecomprisesfivemajorcomponents:i)highyielding
borewell/tubewell(yieldnotlessthan2,800litresperhour);ii)installationofsolarenergypoweredsubmersiblepumpswithrequiredphotovoltaicarrays;iii)HDPEstoragetankof5,000litrecapacityandarrangementforelevatingitto3metreheighttogivesufficientheadfor the distributionsystem;iv)distributionsystemfor30houseswithindividualtapconnections;andv)rainwaterharvestingstructure.
Asperdemand,individualtapconnectionscanbeprovidedbytheGP.Generally,twotothreestandpostsareprovidedatthebeginningtosupplywatertoallhabitats.TheGPcandecidetherateofrecoveryforO&Mofthescheme,whichisnegligibleasthefirstfiveyears’annualmaintenance of solar water pumpingsystemisprovidedfreebythesupplieraccordingto the terms and conditions of contract.
ThesolarwaterpumpingsystemispromotedbytheMinistryofNewandRenewableEnergy,GovernmentofIndia.Hence,subsidyattherateofRs.70/perwattisreimbursedifthesystemwithoutbatterybackupisprocured.Generally,5,000litresof water is stored in a tank so batterybackupisnotrequired.However,ifrequired,thesamesolarphotovoltaicarrayscanbeusedforotherpurposessuchas street lighting if the energy isstoredinthebatteries.Inthiscase,thesubsidyisRs.90perwatt.TheGPhastosubmitnecessaryreimbursementformsalongwithaprojectreport.
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Basically,this900wattwaterpumpingsystemisverysmall,havingapumpingcapacityof5,000litresperday.Duringhotsunnydays,the5,000litrestanktakestwotothreehourstofill.
Duetothisinnovation,boththesystemandsourcehavebecomesustainable.Hence,fundsreceivedundertheNationalRuralDrinkingWaterProgramme(NRDWP)forsustainabilityareusedfortheseschemes.Makingthisschemecompulsoryforhabitationswhicharetotallydependentonhandpumpsiscurrentlybeingconsidered.
Firsttheyieldoftheborewell/tubewellischeckedwiththehelpofayieldtestingunitprovidedwiththesubmersiblepumpandgenerationset.Ifthispumptestgivestheyieldnotlessthanthedesiredlimitof2,800litresperhour,theschemeisproposed.EstimatesarepreparedbytheJuniorEngineersoftheZilaParishadforallthesecomponents.Technical sanction is accorded bytheExecutiveEngineeroftheRuralWaterSupplyDivisionworkingundertheZilaParishadandadministrativesanctionbytheGramSabha.GPsareprovidedfundingthroughGSDA.Thestategovernment’senergydepartmentmade a rate contract for the solar waterpumpingsystemsuitable
forborewellsfor900and1,800watts,whichmadeprocurementeasyfortheGP.ManpowerisavailablewiththeZilaParishadandGSDAforthesupervision.Inveryfewplaces,somecontractualengineers were engaged for the projectperiod.
Generally,aschemecanbecompletedwithinaweekiftechniquesdevelopedbyGSDAsuchaspre-fabricatedsteelstructures,pre-castRCCfoundationblocks,areused.Monitoringiscarriedoutfromtheregionalandstateleveloffices ofGSDA.
Dualpumpbasedwatersupplyschemes,eitherpoweredbyconventionalelectricityoronsolarenergy,provedtobethebesteversolutiontothedrinkingwaterproblemsofhabitationsdependentonhandpumps.
Keyfactorsofsuccessofthisschemeinclude:effortlesspumping;assuranceof24x7watersupply;noelectricitycharges;fiveyears’freemaintenancebythecontractor;securityofwaterdueto5,000litrestoragetank;arrangementofspecialwaterchamberforeasyremovalofhandpumpsformaintenancewithoutdisturbingthesubmersiblepump;availabilityofsparetimeforagricultureand
otherhouseholdchores;regularschoolattendanceofgirls;andsustainabilityofthescheme and source.
There is a high demand for this technology as initially only 66 schemeswereimplementedonconventionalenergybaseddualpumpschemes.Thenitwasreplicatedonpilotbasisin200habitations.Then1,000schemesaredemandedbytheKonkanRegion(fourdistricts)and1,500bytheNashikRegion(fivedistricts).Ofthese,threeschemeshavebeenimplementedonsolarenergybaseddualpumpschemes,139solarenergybaseddualpumpschemesweredemandedbyallthe districts of the state during 2010-11.Thestategovernmenthas issued a resolution for guidelines of these schemes on August21,2010.MEDAmadea rate contract of solar water pumpingsystemsof900and1,800wattssuitableforborewellsonly.
Lessonlearnedincludethat:anynewschemerequiresIECtobeacceptedbytheendusers;anyinnovationbythedepartmentalteammembersshouldberewardedandappreciated;everysuggestionshouldbeconsideredandifitstrengthensthescheme,shouldbeincorporated;andfieldvisitsandfeedbackare mostimportant.
Inputs by: S.V. deshpande ChiefDrillingEngineer,andR.S. cherekar, Senior Drilling Engineer,DirectorateofGroundwaterSurveysandDevelopmentAgency,Governmentof
Maharashtra,BhujalBhavan,Pune.
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PeertoPeerLearning: TrainingofCommunitiesbyCommunitiesLocation:JALMITRA,Maharashtra
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Theobjectivesofinitiatingtheprogramwereto: i)preparecommunitymembersandGPcommitteestoconducttrainingforcapacitybuildingoftheotherGPsonvariousaspectsofO&Mofthewatersupplyschemes;andii)todevelopcapableGPsaskeyresourcecentresasagentsofcapacitybuildinginfutureprogramsinthewatersupplyandsanitation sector.
The strategy consists of ascertaining the training needsofthemembersofGP/Sarpanch,GramSevak,committeemembers,andSHGmemberstoassumetheirroles;anddevelopatrainingplanbasedonneedassessmentofGPsforthecommunitytounderstandtheimportanceofO&M,preventivemaintenance,regulardisinfectionofwater,adoptionofselfmonitoringmechanisms,theconceptofrationaltariffsettingofthewatertaxes,andjudicioususeofwater.
Trainingmethodologydevelopedincluded:i)adequateuseofpowerpointpresentationsandaudiovisualmediasuchasfilmclippings,shortdocumentaryfilms,roleplaytechniquetosimulatetrainingsituation;ii)aspecialshortfilmproducedin-housecoveringthemajoraspectsofO&M;andiii)atrainershandbookpreparedinsimple,easytounderstand,locallanguage
ThedistrictteamsidentifiedthetrainerGPs.GPstargetedwerethosewhichhaveexitedorareintheO&Mphase.WillingnessonthepartoftheGPstocarryoutthetrainingprocesswasalsoaprimeconsideration.ThetraineesselectedwereVWSC/GPmembers,GramSevaks,womenmembersofSHGs,andmembersoftheyouthgroups.SixtraineeswereselectedfromeachGP.
TheMaharashtraRuralWaterSupplyandSanitationprogram’sJalswarajyaProject,wasimplementedwithWorldBankassistancein3,008GPsof26districtsofthestate.ThisprojectwasbasedontheprinciplesofademanddrivenapproachandimplementationbasedonparticipativemodebytheGPsandVWSCs.
SomeoftheVWSCshavemasteredthetechniquewellandwerefoundtobeinapositiontoguidethelessdevelopedVWSCsinprojectactivities.Therefore,aninnovativeinitiativewastakentodeveloptheseVWSCsasMasterTrainerswhowillthentraintheremainingGPsinascaledupscenario.TheseMasterTrainerswerecalledJALMITRA(meaningfriendofwater).Outof3,021GPs,228VWSCsandtheir1,380memberswereselectedandtrainedasMasterTrainers.They,inturn,trained10,500membersof the community.
Astheresponsibilityofcarryingout100percentO&MofthewatersupplyschemesrestedonthecommunityandtheGP,itwasnecessarytodevisemechanismstoinvolvethesetwostakeholdersintheprocess.Capacitybuildingmechanismsweredevelopedfordistrictandvillagelevels.Atthedistrict,acapacitybuildingconsortiacarriedoutthetaskwhichalsoincludedguidingthevillageprocesses.AttheGP,supportorganizationstookupthetask.However,bothhadlimitationsanditwasalsonecessarytocontinuetheprocessbeyondtheprojectperiod.
Simultaneously,duetopoorexperienceofcapacitybuildingattheGPlevel,therewasapressingneedtofindsuitablefunctionariesforperformingthetask.UnderthenewlylaunchedNRDWP,thetaskhasassumedhugeproportions.Itwasrequiredtosustaintheprocessin28,000-oddGPsofthestatebyprovidingcredibleinstitutionsfortheprocessofcapacitybuilding.Itwasagainst
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ThetrainingscheduledevelopedfortheMasterTrainersincluded: i)trainingofmembersofthedistrictteam;ii)actualtrainingofMasterTrainers--thecommunity/GP;iii)hands-ontraining,includingtraining of the community on the varioussubworksoftheschemeforunderstandingtheworking,defects and their remedies and thepreventivemaintenance;iv)eightto10daysofroleplayofthetrainers;andv)trainingofotherGPsbytheMasterTrainerGPs.
TopicscoveredincludedO&Mofthecomponentsofwatersupplyschemes such as water source (dugwell/borewell),pumpingmachinery,pumphouse,risingmainpipeline,storagetank(ESR/GSR),distributionpipelineindetail,disinfectionpractices
for water and mechanism for ensuringeffectivedisinfection;management of household connectionsandjudicioususeofwater;andrationaltariffsetting and issues related to the collectionofwatertaxesanditseffectiveutilization.
Thispracticeworkedwell.Thetraining sessions were carried outbythecommunityattheleveloftheGP.Factorsofsuccessare:i)thetrainercommunityhadanexperienceofactuallyimplementingO&Mactivitiesandhencehadclarityontheprocess;ii)thecommunitywhichwastrainedidentifiedthemselveswiththetrainersandpeertopeerlearningplayedalargerole;iii)hands-on training on the water supplyschemeincreasedits
effectivenessasitwas“learningbydoing”;iv)simple,nontechnicallocal language acted as a good vehicle;andv)ashortfilmonO&Mspeciallymadefortheprogramhelpedinincreasing theimpact.
The learnings until this stage can besummarizedas:i)membersof the community were willing and interested in the training processasseenfromtheaverageattendance;ii)thecommunityis ready to disseminate the knowledge gained from the projectandisreadytoprepareplansforit;iii)thetrainingprocessgaveanopportunityforcrosslearningwithincommunities;andiv)toscaleuptheprocess,sustainedhand-holdingbythedistrict team is essential.
Inputs by: n. k. Jejurka, CapacityBuildingSpecialist,ReformSupport&ProjectMonitoringUnit,1stfloor,CIDCOBhavan,CBD,Belapur,e-mail:[email protected]
MULTI-VILLAGESCHEMEINNOVATIONS
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PublicComplaintRedressalSystem:IncreasedConsumerVoiceandServiceProviderAccountabilityLocation: department of Water Supply and Sanitation, Punjab
ThePunjabDepartmentofWaterSupplyandSanitation(DWSS)setupauniquepubliccomplaintredressalsystemcalledShikayatNivaranKendra(SNK)inMohaliinDecember2009.Ruralconsumerscancallatollfreenumber(1800-180-2468),andlodgecomplaintsaswellasretrievethelatestupdatesthroughauniquecomplaintnumberprovidedtothemandmakerequestsforothercustomerservices.Thecallcentreisoperatedona24x7basiswiththehelpofanadvancedInteractiveVoiceResponse(IVR)system.
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TheobjectiveofSNKistoimprovetheservicedeliverysystembymonitoringO&Moftheruralwatersupplyschemesmoreefficiently.Inordertoachievethebestresultswithminimuminputsofmen,machine and material while utilizingthelateste-governancemethodsandtechniques,itwasdecidedtosetupanindependentmonitoringsystembyoutsourcingtheworktoanto outside agency which would registerthecomplaintsaswellas monitor their timely redressal. Theaimwastoimproveservicedeliveryofexistingsystems,toenhanceefficiencyandenhancefinancialsustainabilityofthewatersupplysystemoperationsbyreachingouttothebeneficiaries.
OnlineregistrationofcomplaintsthroughSNKhashelpedinachievingsustainabilityandefficiencyinservicedelivery,reduction in closure/downtime daysofwatersupplyschemes,checkonabsenteeismamonglowerranksofoperationalstaffandfieldstaffofDWSSinvillages,timebounddeliveryofservices,andhigherO&Mstandards.Allthesefactorshaveultimatelyhelpedintheavailabilityofcleanwater,improvedefficiencyandenhancedthefinancialsustainabilityoftheruralwatersupplyinfrastructureinthestateofPunjabasaresultofincreasedcustomer outreach.
Beforetheimplementationofthesystem,theconsumerhadtoeitherenterthecomplaintinthecomplaintregistermaintainedateachwatersupplyschemeor
gotothedistantlylocatedofficeofthecontrollingofficer.Theofficercheckedtheregisteredcomplaintwhenhevisitedtheparticularsiteduringhisoccasionalinspection.Now,everyofficialisdirectlyconnectedtotheonlinecomplaintssystemthroughtelephone,e-mailandsmsimmediatelyupontheregistrationofthecomplaint.Iftheproblemisnotrectifiedwithintheprefixedredressaltime,thecomplaintisescalatedtoseniorofficialsfortheirintervention.
SNKisaneasilyaccessiblegrievanceredressalsystemwhich allows consumers to demandqualityservice,andtheirconfidenceintheruralwatersupplysystemhasgrownsinceitsinitiation.Atthesametime,theaccountabilityoftheDWSSstaffresponsibleforO&Mcanbeclearly targeted and assessed.
TomakevillagersawareaboutSNK,advertisementswereplacedinprintandelectronicmedia.Apartfromthis,thetollfreenumberwaspaintedonwallsatprominentlocationsinvillages.
InformationaboutSNKisalsoinsertedinthequarterlynewsmagazinewhichiscirculatedinprojectvillages.
Alargenumberofruralwatersupplyschemesarelocatedinremote areas where DWSS was findingitdifficulttomonitortheabsenteeismofstaffdeployedforO&M.Substantialdelayswerecausedbythefieldstaffin rectifying minor defects and leakagesinthedistributionsystemand,atsomeschemes,operationalstaffdidnotsupplywaterafteritsdisinfection.Asaresult,qualityofwatersuffered.Atmanyschemes,thetimingsfixedforthesupplyofwaterwerealsonotadheredtobytheoperationalstaff.
KeepinginviewtheshortageofstafftomonitorO&Mofruralwatersupplyschemes,itwasdecidedtosetupanindependentmonitoringsystembyoutsourcingtheworktolocal information technology companywhichwouldregisterthecomplaintsaswellasmonitortheirtimelyredressaltoimprove
Box2:EnhancedAccountability
Forefficientoperationofthecomplaintredressalsystem,detailedinformationaboutthefieldofficerswhoarehandlingtheruralwatersupplyschemesin9,851habitations(asonMarch31,2010)hasbeenmadeavailable.E-mailidsandnamesofDivisionalOffices,mobilenumbersofExecutiveEngineers,SubDivisionalEngineersandJuniorEngineerswhoarehandlingtheruralwatersupplysystemhavebeenfedintothesoftware.Atthetimeofregistration,thenamesofofficersrelatingtothecomplaintvillagepopuponthescreenandthecomplaintisforwardedtothem through sms and e-mail for immediate redressal.
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theservicedeliveryoftheexistingsystems.
Thereare14,111habitationsinPunjab.AsonMarch31,2010,9,851habitationswereprovidedwithwatersupply,8,600withpipedwaterand1,251withhandpumps.Traditionally,watersupplyservicesareoperatedandmaintainedbytheDWSSthroughthefieldofficeslocatedinsub-divisions/Blocklevel.However,since the 73rd constitution amendment,O&Mofsinglevillagepipedwatersupplyschemesin876habitationshasbeenhandedovertoGPs.Overall,theperformanceofGPswasratedfromaveragetopoor.Presently,theGovernmentofPunjabannuallyspendsaroundRs.1,500milliononO&Mofexisting5,205watersupplyschemes(asonApril1,2010)andhaddeployedoperationalstaffofmore than12,000.
Currently,threedifferentmodelsarefollowedforO&MofwatersupplyschemesinPunjab:DWSSthroughitsownoperationalstaff;GPs;oroutsourcing to local contractors fromthevillage/agency.Fortheschemesimplementedunderstategovernment’sMediumTermProgramme(beingfundedbytheWorldBankaidedPunjabRuralWaterSupplyandSanitationProjectandthroughGovernmentsofIndiaandPunjabfundedsectorwideapproach–SWAp),O&Mofallsinglevillageschemesandintra-villageworksformulti-villageschemesisdonebyGPs/VWSCs.
Inthelongterm,theGovernmentofPunjabintendsto
handoverO&MofallcompletedwatersupplyschemestoGPs/VWSCsas,atpresent,DWSSisfacingdifficultyinoperatingandmonitoringtheexistingsystemsduetoshortageofstaff.However,toturnoverthewatersupplysysteminallhabitationsto communities will take time. DWSShasbeenprogressivelytransferringO&MmanagementresponsibilityofschemestoGPs.Inaddition,DWSSisalsoutilizingprivatesectorservicecontractsforO&Mofsingleandmultivillageschemes.
TheoperationofSNKhasbeenoutsourced.Outsourcedservicesincludedesigningofsoftware,deploymentofoperatorsforthereceiptofcomplaintsandtheir further transmission to theconcernedofficialatanannualcostofRs.9,00,000.AservicestandardwaspreparedtoredressvarioustypesofcomplaintsandDWSSwasrestructuredsothatauthorizedpersonswhoprovideredressalare located no further than 5 to 10kilometrefromhabitations.TheJuniorEngineerisin-chargeatthelowestlevelandhasbeendelegatedadequatefinancialpowerstoredressroutinecomplaints.Fortheredressal ofmajorcomplaints,the JuniorEngineerhastoseek priorapprovalfromthecompetentauthority.
Registeredcomplaintsareforwardedtoconcernedfieldofficersthroughsmsande-mailfor immediate redressal. The information regarding the statusofvariouscomplaintsregisteredatSNKismonitored
bydepartmentalofficials.Thefollowingsystemhasbeenadopted:
• Auniquenumberisissuedtoeveryregisteredcomplaintwhich is also issued to thecomplainantduringregistration
• Timetoredresscomplaintshasalreadybeenprefixedfordifferentcategoriesofcomplaints,
• ThenatureoftypicalcomplaintsisprovidedinTable5andtheconcernedofficialsareexpectedtorectify/correctthesystemwithinthisfixedtimeframeandreportbacktoSNKthroughphone/smssothatSNKcanupdatethecomplainant
• Incaseacomplaintisnotrectifiedwithinthestipulatedperiod,itisescalatedtothenextlevelseniorofficer(SuperintendingandChiefEngineer)forhisinterventionafterevery48hours
• Thecomplainantisinformedbytheoperatordeployedatthecomplaintcentreregardingredressalofthecomplaintand it is not closed till the consumerissatisfied
• Consumerscanalsocheckthestatusoftheircomplaintsthroughtheunique complaintnumberprovided to them
Though the redressal system is verysuccessful,thefollowingproblemsstillpersist:
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Inputs by: DepartmentofWaterSupplyandSanitation,Punjab
Table 5: common complaints received at Snk
Comp. ComplaintDescription Maximumdaysallowedfor Code redressalofcomplaints
1 Failureofwatersupplyduetoelectricalormechanical faultinthemachinery 22 Failureofwatersupplyduetoabsenceofoperator 13 Failureofwatersupplyduetolarge-scaleleakagesinpipes 24 Failureofwatersupplyduetobadqualityofwater 25 Failureofwatersupplyinsomespecificarea,maybedueto uneventopographyorsomeotherreasons 36 Otherstypesofcomplaintsmaybeduetononlayingof Redressaltimemaydiffer distributionsystemorinsufficientdischargeofsource accordingtosituation
• Attimesfieldofficersdonotprovidethestatusofthecomplaintswithintheprescribedtimeperiod
• InformationisnotprovidedintheprescribedformattoSNK
• Genuinenessofthecomplaintcannotbeascertainedintheabsenceofconsumernumber/connectionnumberwhichisrequiredtominimizereceiptoffakecomplaints
• SNKisnotprovidedimmediateinformationaboutthetransfersoftheofficers
• Schemeshandedoverto GPsareusuallynotrestored intimeduetonon-availabilityofadequatefundswith theGPs.
DWSSisprovidingwatersupplyto9,851habitations.Itisworthmentioningthat5,720outofatotalof5,827complaintshavealreadybeenattendedtothesatisfactionofthecomplainantssinceSNK’sinception(December1,2010).Adailyprogressreportpertainingtoredressalof
previouscomplaintsandaboutthereceiptofnewcomplaintsissenttothehighestlevel,thatis,Secretary,WaterSupplyandSanitation.Incaseofcomplaintsofaseriousnature,Secretary,WaterSupplyandSanitation,immediately issues instructions totheconcernedChiefEngineerforspeedyactionandtimelyredressal.Assuch,functioningofthedepartmentisassessedat thegovernmentlevelonaday-to-daybasis.
Overthelastninemonths,with the increase in awareness amongstvillagersaboutSNK,theparticipationofconsumersinregisteringcomplaintshasincreased and consumers are enthusiastic in getting their complaintsredressedthroughSNK.Byandlarge,consumerexperiencewithSNKhasbeengoodasconsumers’complaintsare redressed to their satisfaction andDWSStootakespreventivemeasurestoavoidthecomplaints’recurrence.
Thisexperienceshowsthataneasilyaccessiblegrievanceredressal system can change theparticipationlevelsofthebeneficiariesandincreaseaccountability.Peoplearebehavingmoreresponsiblywith the tool in their hands to askforqualityserviceandtheirconfidence in the rural water supplysystemshasincreased.TheaccountabilityoftheDWSSstaffcanbeclearlytargetedandassessed.TheGovernmentofPunjabhasdecidedtoretainSNKbyrenewingtheannualcontract with the outsourced agencyandcontinuetoprovidefundsfromitsannualnon-planbudget.Thestategovernment’sHealth,ElectricityandEducationdepartmentsarealsoexploringtheideaofprovidingasimilarservicecentreforthebenefitoftheirconsumers. AteamofPublicHealthEngineersfromWestBengalvisitedPunjabonSeptember30,2010tounderstandtheworkingofSNK.
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TheAhmednagarDistrictinwesternMaharashtraisknownforitsexcellentcultureofco-operatives.ThewesternpartofAhmednagarDistrictisacanalirrigatedarea,growingsugarcanetoaverylargeextent.OneofthemajorriversisRiverMula,withalargedam(capacity26,000millioncubicfeet)onit.
OperationandManagementofRegionalWaterSupplySchemebyJointVillageWaterSupplyCommitteeLocation: Baragaon nandur and 14 villages, Ahmednagar district, Maharashtra
Thecanalfromthisdamprovideswaterforagriculture.FifteenvillagesalongthebankofMuladownstreamofthedamdevelopedsalinityinthedrinkingwatersources,asthesourceswereextractinggroundwaterfromtheriver.Theheavysalinityposedproblemsofhealth,particularlyabdominaldiseases.
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Amulti-villagewatersupplyschemeforthese15villagesusingwaterfromMuladamwasimplementedbyMJPandthesystemisoperatedandmaintainedbytheJointVillageWaterSupplyCommitteeofthebeneficiaryvillages.
Thecommitteehasbeenoperatingthesystemforthelasteightyearsinasustainablemanner.Itprovidesgoodqualitywaterintheservicereservoirstoeachvillage,andthereafterthevillageoperatesthesystemwithinitsarea.Thewaterratesforindividualconnectionholdersaredecidedbythecommittee.TherevenueiscollectedbytheindividualGPand80percentofthecollectionistransferred to the account of the committee while 20percentisretainedbythevillage.ThismodelhascreatedacorpusofRs.113,00,000.
BeforetheimplementationoftheruralregionalwatersupplyschemeforBaragaonNandurandtheother14villages,allthelocalsourcesofthesevillagesfellwithinthesalinetrackhencemostvillagesweretankerfedformostofthedaysinayear.TheDistrictPublicHealthLaboratory,Ahmedangar,confirmedthesalinityoflocalsourcesofthesevillages.Consideringallaboveproblemsofquantityandqualityoflocalsourcesinvillages,theDistrictCo-ordinationCommitteemadearesolutiontoimplementasingleregionalpipedwatersupplyschemeforallthese14villagesandnearbyhabitations,withMulaDamasanassuredsurfacewater source. It was also decided that the scheme shouldbeimplementedbyMJP,astatelevelagencyworkinginthewatersupplyandsanitationsector.
Thetopographyoftheareaandthelocationofvillagesaswellastheadministrativelymanageable
designbytheMJPworkedtogetherinsuchawaythatthepowerrequirementisverylow;150HPpumpsaresufficientfora162,000population.ThesalinityinthedrinkingwaterbroughtallthesevillagestogetherintheformofajointcommitteeundertheleadershipofMr.ShivajiraoGade,residentofBaragaonNandur,whocontinuestobechairmanofthejointcommitteeforthelasteightyears.
Sustainability,bothphysicalandfinancial,wasaddressed.ThesourceofwaterisMuladam,whichisclosetothesevillageswithalargestorageandgoodqualityofwater.Fromthefinancialpointofview,thedamislocatedupstreamofthesevillagesandthereforethepumpingrequirementislowcomparedtoothermulti-villageschemes.Thedesign of the system was strategically created in suchafashionthatanindividualvillagecanbeisolatedfromthemainlineincaseofnon-paymentof water charges.
Thewatersupplysystemwascommissionedtemporarilyintheyear2000bypumpingthewaterfromMulaDamtothevillageswithouttreatment,bychlorinatinganddisinfectingthewater.Thiswaterwasfarsuperiortotheearliersalinewaterandthereforepeoplecouldfeelofthechangeevenduringthetemporarilycommissioning.Theirmindsetwasthereforepreparedforthesystem.Priortocommissioningofthesystem,manyvillagerswhosoldmilkatRahuritownwouldfilltheiremptymilkcontainerswithwaterfromtheESRatRahuritownandtakeittotheirvillagesfordrinking.Oncommissioningofthescheme,thispracticehastotallystopped.
Theearlierdrinkingwaterhadtotaldissolvedsolidsrangingfrom1,230to3,020milligramperlitre(mg/l)asagainsttheacceptednormsof1,000mg/l.Thetotalhardnessrangedfrom400to960mg/lasagainstthenormsof300mg/l.Aftertheoperationofthenewsystem,thetotaldissolvedsolidsstand at344mg/landtotalhardnessis136mg/l.Asaresult,abdominaldiseaseshavereducedtoaminimum,accordingtogovernmentdispensariesandprivatedoctors.
TheoperationofthesystemwastakenoverbytheJointVillageWaterCommitteewithinthreemonthsofthetrialrunofthecompletedschemeinMay
2002.TheBlockDevelopmentOfficerand Mr.ShivajiraoGade,CommitteeChairmanalongwithMJPengineersheldmeetingsineveryvillagefromtheconstructionstageandinformedthevillagersaboutthesystemanditsbenefits.Theywerealsoinformedaboutthewatertariffsandrunningthesystemsustainablybygeneratingadequaterevenue.Inthetemporarilycommissionedstageitself,thepeoplecouldunderstandthevalueofgoodqualitywaterduetoreducedexpensesonhealth.Theywerethereforepreparedtopayforwaterandsaveonhealthexpenses.
CurrentchargesleviedareRs.800peryearperconnectionandthenumberofconnectionsare3,680.Theindividualvillagecollectsthisrevenueandpasson80percenttothejointcommittee.Fromthisrevenue,thejointcommitteemeetstheexpensesonelectricity,chemicals,manpower,maintenanceandtestingofthewaterincludingpaymentforrawwater.TheaccountsofthejointcommitteerevealthatpresentlyithasasurplusofRs.113,00,000.
ThejointcommitteeconsistsoftheSarpanchofeachvillageandonepersonfromeachvillagenominatedbytheGramSabha,totaling30.ThejointcommitteehastheBlockDevelopmentOfficerasitssecretary.However,duetohisbusyschedule,theauthorityhasnowbeenvestedinoneoftheGramSevaksofManjrivillage.Themonthlymeetingofthecommitteetakesplaceregularlyinwhichthestatusisreviewed.Ineachreview,villagewisecomplaints,villagewisereceivablesdue,andproblemsinsystemmaintenance,monthlyexpenditure,etc.,arediscussedandbetterservicesattempted.
Thesuccessofthejointcommitteehasresultedfrom:i)drasticchangeinthequalityofthewateranditspositiveimpactonthehealthofthecitizens;ii)thecapacitybuildingoftheoperatorswhohavebeenproperlytrainedintheResearchandTrainingCentreofMJPatNashik;iii)thestrategicdesignofthesystemwhichhelpedinachievingfinancialsustainability,thankstothelocationof
thesourceatahigherelevationwhichlowersoperatingexpensesandthedistributionnetworkfromwhichadefaultervillagecanbeisolatedanddisconnected;iv)lowmanpowerrequirementandsharedresponsibilitybetweenanindividualGPforvillagewaterdistributionandcollectionofrevenueandtheJointCommitteefortheoperationofthebulksystemandprovidingwatertoeachvillagehasmadeitmanageable;andv)activeinvolvementofallvillageleadersundertheleadershipofMr.ShivajiraoGade.
Thisprojectisbeingoperatedbythejointcommitteeforthelasteightyears.TheMulaDamislargeenoughtofeedthesystem,andhasprovidedwatereverydaytoeveryvillageinthesystem.Thefinancialsituationisstrong.Everyyearthesystemcouldgeneraterevenueoverandaboveexpenditure.ThecorpusisRs.113,00,000asinMarch2010.Theannualexpenditurein2009-10wasRs.15.08lakhandthesaleofwaterbroughtinRs.18.48lakh.Otherreceiptssuchasinterestonfixeddepositsandincentivegrantsfromthestategovernmentareadditional sources of funds.
Thatgoodleadershipcanbringlike-mindedpeopletogethertorunasysteminaphysicallyandfinanciallysustainablemanneristhelessonlearntfromthisexperience.Thismanagementsystemandinstitutionalarrangementsforoperatingamulti-villagewatersupplyschemecanbesuccessfullyreplicatedinareasthathavefaceddrinkingwaterproblemsandthereforeknowthevalueofgoodqualitywater.Theproblemitselfbringsthepeopletogetherandgroomsagoodleadershipwhichcansustaintheoutcomesofaviableproject.
Thereplicabilityiscertainlyalsothereintheareaswhicharelocatedinageographicallydisadvantageouspositionandthereforerequirelargerexpenditureforbringingsafedrinkingwater.ThegovernmentneedstoprovidegrantsforO&Mforthesesystemstoassisttheprojecttobecomesustainableinthelongterm.
Inputs by: R.g. holani, ChiefEngineer,MJPRegion,Nasik;P.R. nandanware, ExecutiveEngineer,MJPWorksDivision,Sangamner;n.M. Longani, Sub-DivisionalEngineer,MJPSub-division,Shrirampur; and R.S. Thorat,Sect.Engr.,RuralWaterSupplySub-division,
Rahuri,ZilaParishad.Ahmednagar.
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WATER QUALITy
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InthetribaldominatedvillageofGunderdehiofAmbagarhChowkiBlockofRajnandgaonDistrictofChhattisgarh,capacitybuildingandawarenessgenerationeffortshaveresultedindemonstratingthatcommunitiescansustaintheresponsibilityofvillagesanitationanddrinkingwatersources.This hashelpedthevillagetosustainitsstatusasa NirmalGram.
Watersecurityisnotcompletewithoutwatersafety.Providingadequateandsafewateronaregularandsustainablebasiscontinuestobeachallengewithinruralwatersupplysystems.Chemicalcontaminationofwaterrequirestechnicalmitigationmeasures.However,biologicalcontaminationiscompletely
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SustainingNirmalGramStatusLocation: gunderdehi village, Rajnandgaon district, chhattisgarh
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in the control of the users and results from the practicesthatcommunitiesobserve.
GunderdehiGPwasselectedfordevelopmentasamodelvillage,basedonfindingsofafollow-upoftheMulti-DistrictAssessmentofWaterSafety(M-DAWS)carriedoutin20GPsofMohallaandChowkiblocksofRajnandgaonDistrictinNovember2009.Asapartofthefollow-upprogram,461handpumpsand23pipedwatersourcesweresurveyedbyActionforFoodProduction(AFPRO)withUNICEF’ssupportincollaborationwiththePublicHealthEngineeringDepartment(PHED).Thefollow-upreiteratedthatbiologicalcontaminationoccurredmainlyduetohumaninducedactivitiessuchaswashing,bathing,freeaccesstoanimals,improperdisposalofwastewater,etc.Peoplewerefoundtobeunawareaboutwaterqualityissuesandshowednoconcernforkeepingtheirwatersourcesclean.Theneedofthemomentwasaninterventionfocusedonbringingaboutachangeincommunitypracticestopreventriskfactorsatthesourceaswellascreatingasenseofownershipandestablishingacommunity-basedsystemformonitoringofsources.
TheGunderdehiGPcomprisesvillageKilargondiandhasapopulationofaround1,835.Thepeopledependon15handpumpsandtwopipedwatersupplysystemsfortheirdailywatersupply.Thiswasoneofthemostvulnerablevillageswithallitssources in the medium to high risk category. The follow-upsurveyshowedthatallthesourceswerepronetoriskfactorssuchaswashingclothesand
utensilsandbathingnearthesource,inappropriatedrainageofthewastewater,freeaccesstoanimals,stagnationofwater,andpoorhandlingofwater.
TheprogramwasintroducedtothevillageleadersandfunctionariessuchastheSarpanch,thePanchayatSecretaryAnganwadiworkers,teachersandmembersfromtheNehruyuvaKendraandthewomen’sSHGs.Streetplayswereperformedtocapturetheinterestofthecommunityonissuesofenvironmentalsanitation.Source-wisemeetingswere held to generate interest and create a closer contactwiththecommunity.ThismotivatedthecommunitytomaintainitsNirmalGramstatus.
Convincedabouttheneedforcleanandsafesources,peopleimmediatelygottogethertoinitiatecorrectiveaction.WaterUserGroups(WUGs)wereformedforeverysourceandpeopletookuptheresponsibilityofmaintainingcleanwatersources.Theyrepairedthehandpumps,fencedthemusing
Box3:CleanHabitatsandSafeWaterforAll
InRamparahabitationofGunderdehivillage,afteradrainwhichwassiltedforseveralyearswascleaned,theproblemofstagnantwaterisundercheck.TheproblemofwastewaterenteringthenearbyhousesofresidentssuchasSaraswatibaiistakencareof.
Similarly,whenthecisternofthepipedwatersupplysystemneartheAnganwadiwascleanedafteralmosttwoyears,peoplewereabletoaccesssafewaterfromit.Ramotinbai,anelderlywomanresidinginthevicinity,isveryhappy.Shenolongerfacestheproblemofwater-bornediseasescausedbydrinkingthewaterfromthenearbyopenwell,assafepipedwaterisavailableinthevicinityofherhome.Shehasplantedasmallkitchengardentoutilizethewastewaterfromthecisternandkeepitssurroundings clean.
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Inputs by: Rushabh hemani, UNICEF,Raipur.
locallyavailablematerial,constructedplatformsandmade arrangements for drainage of waste water. Kitchengardenswerecultivatedbydivertingthewastewaterfromthehandpumps.Chokeddrainagelineswerecleanedwhichnowpreventsstagnationof water. Rules were laid down for use of the sources. Activitiessuchaswashingclothes/utensilsandbathing,etc.,arenowprohibitedandfinesfixedforbreakingtheserules.
Theseproactivestepstakenbythecommunityhaveresultedinmanybenefits.Today,thereisadrasticimprovementinthestatusofthesources.Allthesourcesthatwereearliereithermediumorhigh risk now fall under the low risk category. The watersourcesnearthetwoprimaryschoolsandtheAnganwaditoohavebeencleanedandsafewatertothechildrenensured.AccordingtotheSarpanchandothermembersofthecommunity,theincidenceofwater-bornediseaseshasgonedown.EventheAnganwadiworkerofthevillagereportsthatthenumberofdiarrhoealcasesamongchildrenbelowfiveyearsofagehasgonedown.TheeffortsofthepeoplehaveresultedinachievingMillenniumDevelopmentGoal(MDG)7ofensuringsustainableaccess to safe drinking water.
Sinceallthesourcesarewellmaintained,accesstothewaterpointhasbecomeeasierandgettingwaterfromthehandpumpis
nolongeradistastefultaskforthevillagewomen.Appropriatedrainageofwastewaterpreventsstagnationofwaterandbreedingofmosquitoes.Itisnotjustthewatersourcesthatthecommunityhascleanedup.Earlier,thearealeadingtotheAnganwadiandtheprimaryschoolalwayshadstagnantwater,causedduetoseepagefromanearbycanal.ThismadeitverydifficultforthechildrentoreachtheAnganwadiandtheschool.Italsoledtoaveryunhealthyenvironmentforthechildren.Thecommunitysortedoutthisproblembyexcavationofatemporarydrainalongthecanaltoconnecttoanearbynallahsothatseepagewatercoulddrain off easily.
TheWUGsinGunderdehicollectcontributionsasandwhenrequiredforsmallrepairworksandtomeet the costs of cleaning the sources. They meet everyfortnighttotakestockofthesituationandtake necessary action to maintain good sanitary conditionsnearthesources.TheyreporttotheGPonceamonthtoaddresslargerissuessuchaschokeddrainagelines,disposalofsolidwaste,etc.Theformationofsource-wiseWUGshasdecentralizedtheprocesstothelowermostlevelwithinthevillage.Ithascreatedthespacefortheinvolvementofmoreusersintheentireprocess.Withalittlebitoffacilitation,thecommunityrealizedthat it is well within its own means to maintain cleanwatersourcesandadoptgoodsanitationandhygienehabitstoensuresafewaterandimprovedhealth.Forthistheyneednotdependonthegovernmentoranyotherexternalagency.ThepeopleofGunderdehihavedemonstratedthatthecommunityinevenaremote,backwardtribalvillagecantakeownershipandassumetheresponsibilityandsafewatersupplyandimprovedhealth.Itprovidesmotivationtotheothervillagesintheclusterwhereitisplannedtoupscaletheintervention.
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StatusofArsenicMitigationSchemesinWestBengalLocation: West Bengal
InWestBengal,arseniccontaminationofgroundwaterwasfirstdetectedduringtheearly1980sindifferentdistrictsadjoiningBhagirathi/Hooghlyrivers.Investigationshowedthatarsenicbeyondpermissiblelimitof0.05mg/lexistedinthegroundwater.Thearsenicproblemwasfoundtobegeogenic,i.e.,duetothepresenceofexcessivearsenicinthegeologicalformation.Groundwaterwasthemainandstaplesourceofdrinkingwaterinsuchareasduetoitseasy,inexpensiveandlocation-specificabstraction.Therefore,thedrinkingwatersupplysystemintheaffectedareasreceivedaserioussetbackowingtoarseniccontaminationofground water.
Groundwaterin79Blocks(outof341blocksinthestate)intheDistrictsofMalda,Murshidabad,Nadia,North24Parganas,South24Parganas,Howrah,HooghlyandBardhamanisatriskofarseniccontamination.Basisthe2001Census,thepopulationoftheseblocksis166.54lakh(ofthestate’sruralpopulationof577.35lakh).Similarly,2001Censusofpopulationofurbanareasatriskofarsenic contamination in the ground water is 120lakh(outofstate’stotalurbanpopulationof224.86lakh).
InordertotacklethearsenicmenaceinWestBengal,threetypesofmitigationmeasureshavebeentakenupsofar:
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Short-term Measures
• Handpumpfittedtubewellsatdeeperaquifers
• Ringwells
Medium-term Measures
• Arsenictreatmentunitwithexistinghandpumpfittedtubewells
• Arsenicremovalplantsforexistinggroundwaterbasedpipedwatersupplyschemes
• Largediameterdeeperaquifertubewellsforexisting/newpipedwatersupplyschemes
• Newgroundwaterbasedpipedwatersupplyschemes
Long -term Measures
• Surfacewaterbasedwatersupplyschemes
Sofar,thestategovernmenthasprovidedarsenicfreepotabledrinkingwatersupplytoapopulationof106.43lakh(Census2001),whichconstitutes63.91percentofthetotalpopulationatrisk,throughvariousshort,mediumandlongtermmeasures.
Thoughvariousmeasureshavebeenadoptedinthepast,asanimmediateandintermediateintervention,surfacewaterbasedwatersupplyschemeshavebeenfoundtobetheonlypermanentsolution.
Aftersomanyyearsofexperienceinarsenicmitigation measures,itwasessentialtoreviewtheentiresituationtoimplementfuturemitigationprogramsinamorejudiciousandorganizedmanner.Somefactsabouttheefficacyofthevariousshort-andmedium-termmeasuresthathasbeenobservedovertheyearsare:
• Ringwellsarenotwellacceptedbythepeopleandpronetobacteriologicalcontamination
• Arsenictreatmentunitsattachedtothehandpumptubewellshavebeenfoundtobeveryeffectiveasanintermediateintervention;
however,inthelongruntheseunitshavefailedtoservethepurposeduetoO&Mandsludgedisposalproblems
• Deepaquiferreplacementtubewells,insomecases,turnedouttobeineffectiveduetoleachingofarsenictothedeeperlayerfromthetop
• Tubewellsofsomeofthegroundwaterbasedpipedwatersupplyschemes,thoughsunkindeeperarsenicfreeaquifers,showedthepresenceof arsenic in time due to leaching action
Consideringallthesefacts,,amasterplanwaspreparedonfuturemitigationmeasuresinconsultationwiththeArsenicTaskForce,GovernmentofWestBengal.Themasterplanwaspreparedinordertocoverallarsenicaffectedhabitationsidentifiedonalong-termbasis.Thefollowingstrategywasadopted:
• Allarsenicaffectedvillagestobecoveredbypipedwatersupplyschemes
• Areascoveredbyexistingshort-termandmid-termmeasures such as arsenic treatment units attached handpumptubewells,replacementtubewells,etc.,tobeincludedwithinthefutureplanofaction
• Attemptstobemadetocovertheaffectedareaswithsurfacewaterwhereveravailable
• Affectedareas,whichcannotbecoveredundertheexisting/proposedsurfacewaterbasedpipedwatersupplyschemes,shouldbeservedbygroundwaterbasedpipedwatersupplyschemes
• Allproposedgroundwaterbasednewpipedwatersupplyschemesshouldhaveprovisionforanarsenicremovalplantunlessasafeaquiferwell,separatedfromthecontaminatedlayerbythickimpermeablebarrier,isavailable
• Allexistinggroundwaterbasedpipedwatersupplyschemesintheaffectedareasshouldhaveaprovisionforarsenicremovalplants,exceptwheresafeaquiferwellsseparatedfromthecontaminatedlayerbyathickimpermeablebarrierareavailable
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Inputs by: PublicHealthEngineeringDepartment,WestBengal.
Table 6: Summary of the master plan
Sl. TypeofScheme No.of Nos.of Census Design Estimated No. Schemes Mouza Population, Population Cost Covered 2001(lakh) (lakh) (Rs.crore)
1 Surfacewaterbased 12 1378 35.902 63.310 1511.78 scheme 2 Newgroundwater 338 1479 40.412 65.850 974.32 basedschemewith/without acqiferrecharge3 Acqiferrechargeinexisting groundwaterbasedscheme 165 663 28.840 36.620 82.69 Total 515 3520 105.154 165.780 2568.79
Meanwhile,theGovernmentofWestBengaldecidedtoprepareanactionplanwhichaimstocoverallarsenicaffectedvillagesofWestBengalwithalongtermsolutionofpotabledrinkingwatersupply.Towardsthisend,allpublichandpumptubewells(1,32,000)inthe79arsenicaffectedblocksweretestedinlaboratorieswithactiveparticipationofthelocalGP.Safehandpumptubewellswerepaintedblue,andthecommunitywasinvolvedingeneratingawarenessamongthepeople.TubewellswerelocatedbyGlobalPositioningSystem(GPS)instrumentsandthetestresultswereplottedongeographicinformationsystem(GIS)maps.BasedontheseGISmaps,hydro-geologicalstudiesconductedbyvariousotherdepartmentsofthestategovernment,andtheefficacyofthevariousmitigationmeasuresalreadyimplementedbythegovernment,amasterplanwaspreparedtocoverallthe3,229villageswithalongtermsolution
BasedonthepresentdataonarsenicaffectedhabitationsandontherecommendationsoftheArsenicTaskForce,theGovernmentofWestBengal,pipedwatersupplyschemeshavebeenpreparedtocoverallarsenicaffectedhabitationswithalong-termsolution.
Thefollowingconsiderationshavebeenkeptinmindwhileformulatingthewatersupplyschemes:
• Anyvillagewherethereisanarsenicaffectedhabitationhasbeencoveredunderthepresentscheme.Frompreviousexperience,ithasbeen
observedthatarseniccontaminationingroundwaterisdynamicinnaturewhichspreadsbothhorizontallyandvertically,dependingonthehydro-geologicalconditionofthearea.Presently,thevillageboundaryhasbeenconsideredastheextentofhorizontalspreadofarseniccontamination
• Whileformulatingamulti-villagepipedwatersupplyscheme,non-affectedcontiguousvillageshadtobetakenwithinthecommandareaofthescheme,becauseofthenatureofarseniccontaminationingroundwater(pointabove)
• Theprovisionforanarsenicremovalplanthasbeenprovidedinallthenewlyproposedgroundwaterbasedschemes
• Thetotalnumberoftheproposedschemeshasbeenarrivedatbasedonthepresentdataonarsenicaffectedhabitations
Thestategovernmentisnowpoisedtoimplementthemasterplanandithastakenambitionsstepstocoverallarsenicaffectedandsurroundingvillageswitharsenicfree,potabledrinkingwaterundertheBharatNirmanprogramby2011.Theactionplanenvisages515pipedwatersupplyschemesinordertocover3,520villagesbenefittingapopulationof165.78lakhatanestimatedcostofRs.2568.79crore.AsummaryofthemasterplanforarsenicmitigationispresentedinTable6.
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KanjipaniisasmallvillagelocatedintheinteriorsofthecivicstrifeaffecteddistrictofDantewadaofChhattisgarh.Althoughthepeopleherefaceuncertaintimesduetothesituation,today,theycollectivelyowntheresponsibilityofO&Moftheirwatersources(handpumps)andensurethatwatersafetyisnotcompromised.
Dantewadaispredominantlyatribaldistrictwithmajorpartsunderthickforestcoverandmanyvillagesarelocateddeepwithintheseforests.Overthepastdecade,DantewadahasremainedattheheartofcivilconflictbetweentheMaoists
CommunityEmpowermentforEfficientHandPumpO&MLocation: kanjipani village, dantewada district, chhattisgarh
andthegovernment.Poorroadconnectivityandtheprevailingconflictmakeaccesstoandfromvillagesverychallengingandthishasresultedinaslowpaceofdevelopmentinthearea.ItwasundersuchadversecircumstancesthataninterventionforcapacitybuildingofthelocalcommunityforO&Mofhandpumpsandforimprovedsanitationandhygienepracticeswasinitiatedinagroupof30remotevillages,17fromSukmaBlockand13fromChhindgarhBlock,includingKanjipani.
TheinterventionwassupportedbytheIntegratedChildProtection
Programme(ICPP),apartnershipbetweentheTribalWelfareDepartmentandUNICEF.TheinterventionwassupportedatthefieldlevelbyateamfromAFPROandVanvasiChetnaAshram(VCA),alocalnon-governmentorganization(NGO).ItwasmodelledontheinitiativetakenupinfourcampsofKontaBlockofthedistrictforInternallyDisplacedPeople(IDPs).
Kanjipaniliesabout30kilometreaway from Sukma and has a total populationof1,000people.Thepeopledependedon13handpumpsinstalledbythePHED.However,lackofunderstanding
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ontheissuesofwaterqualityandwatersafetyhadledtoverypoorupkeepofthewatersources.Washingandbathingpracticesatthehandpumpandanimalsstraying near the drinking water sourceswerecommon.Atmanyplaces,thishadleadtowaterstagnationwithin2-3metresofthesourceandevenfoulsmell.Peoplewouldhavetocovertheirnosestoavoidtherepressivesmell.Accordingtosome,thewaterwouldeventurnbrownafterstorageforacoupleofhoursinthepot.Theincidenceofdiarrhoeal cases was high. With accesstolimitedwater,personalhygienewasalsopooramong the community.
Beforetheintervention,mostwater sources came under the highriskcategoryasperthesanitarysurveillanceresults.The women and girls faced a difficulttimeindealingwiththeseunsanitaryconditionseveryday,whilefetchingwater.Beingavillageintheinteriorsofaconflictpronearea,linkagewiththehandpumptechniciansofthePHEDwasdifficultforthepeopleofKanjipani.Asaresult,evenminorrepairsofhandpumpswouldoftentakeaverylongtimeandcauseinconveniencetothepeople.Incaseahandpumpbecameinoperable,thewomenandchildrenwouldhavetotraveltothenextclosesthandpumpand fetch head loads of water to meet their household needs.
Giventhebackgroundoftheconflictandinsecurity,atthevillagelevel,thegeneralenvironmentwasoneofsuspicionandtrepidation.Hence,itwasdecidedtofirsttakeintoconfidencethePRIandotherfunctionariesofKanjipanisuchastheSarpanch,PanchayatSecretary,Anganwadiworker,andinformthemaboutthepurposeoftheintervention.They,inturn,assistedwithmobilizingthecommunityandconvincingthemtocometogetherforcollectiveaction.GramSabhasandhabitationlevelmeetingswereheldtogetthepeopletogether.ThecommunityorganizersfromVCAwereinstrumentalinestablishingarapportwiththecommunity.Duringthemeetings,peoplewereexplainedtherelationbetweensafewater,improvedsanitationpracticesandhealth,theneedforprotectingwatersourcesfromcontamination,handlingandstorageofsafedrinkingwater,importanceofhandwashing,chlorination of sources and water testingthroughfieldtestkits.Stepsformitigatingtheproblemand ensuring water safety were alsodiscussed.WUGsforeachsource were formed to create a mechanism for community ownershipandinitiateacommunity-basedmonitoringsystem.
Afterafewmeetingsforawarenessgeneration,thepeoplecouldseeforthemselvestheriskthat they were causing to their ownhealth.Oncethecommunityunderstood the need for maintaining cleanliness around thewatersources,theygottoworkimmediately.Bio-fencingwith locally sourced wooden logs was constructed around all
thehandpumpsbycommunitymembers,thusrestrictingtheentryofcattleatthesources.Assoak-pitswerenotfeasibleduetohardrockstrata,thespillagewasdivertedthroughchannelsformaking kitchen gardens. Washing andbathingnearthehandpumpswerestrictlyprohibited.Thus the community took the initiativetoaddressallthemajorrisk factors to their water sources. ThehandpumpsneartheprimaryschoolandtheAnganwaditoowerefencedandprotectedfromcontamination to make safe wateravailabletochildren.AttheAnganwadi,thewastewaterisbeingusedtodevelopakitchengarden,wherebananatreeswereplanted.ThechildrenattheAnganwadinowgetfreshfruitfrom their own garden which supplementstheirdaily nutrition needs.
MadviKosa,SarpanchofKanjipani,isproudtostate,“Everymorning,wecleanthesurroundings of the drinking water sources and on the wall nearbywewriteamessageforallstatingthatwashingandbathingisstrictlyprohibited.Everyonerespectsthismessage.Weareproudthatgraduallyourvillagehascometobeknownasa modelvillage.”
AsapartofthetrainingimpartedbyUNICEFonbasicrepairsandmaintenance for local care-takers andWUGmembers,twopersonsfromKanjipanihavealsobeentrained,onefortheO&Mofhandpumpsandtheotherforwaterqualitytesting.Followingthetraining,thehandpumptechnician,Mr.ShankerNegi,hasrepairedfourhandpumpswhich were in disuse and the community has now started using
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them.Heensuresthatallhandpumpsareingoodfunctioningmodeand,ifthereisanymajorfault,hepromptlyinformsthePHEDaboutit.Earlier,whenthehandpumpwasdefunct,basicrepairswouldsometimestakealmost a month and would cost aboutRs.500.Theabsenceofanoperablelocalhandpumpalsomeantincreasedburdenonwomenofhavingtofetchwaterfromadistanthandpump.Peoplewould also resort to using unsafe sources.However,nowwiththetrainedcare-takeravailablewithinthevillage,therepairisspeedyandcostminimal.ButkiNagiofKanjipanisays,“Earlierwefacedlotsofproblemswheneverthehandpumpbrokedown.Nowthein-villagecare-takerrepairsthehandpumpimmediatelyandwatersupplyisrestoredwithinaday.”ForthewomenofKanjipani,quickrepairsmeanhavingaregular,almostuninterruptedsupplyofwater,savingthemfromthedrudgeryofhavingtowalktoadistanthandpumpincaseofabreak-down.
Mr.BudduRamcarriesoutthe chlorination at all 13 hand pumps,teststhewaterqualityregularly,andreportstheresultstothePHEDeverythreemonths.Accordingtohim,eversincethesourceshavebeenprotectedfromcontamination and chlorination is beingdoneregularly,thewateratallhandpumpsissafefordrinkingpurposes.Withtheareaaroundthehandpumpnowbeingcleanedandmaintainedregularly,accessingthewaterpointisnolongeranunpleasanttaskforthewomen.Theyarealsoconfidentof
thequalityofthewaterthattheirfamilymembersconsume.
WUGshavebeenformedforallthesourcesandpeoplehavestartedcontributingforO&Mof their sources so that they get basicrepairsofhandpumpdonefrom their own resources leading toprovisionofsafewaterroundtheyear.TheWUGsmeetevery15daysatthehabitationlevelandmeettheGPonceeverymonthtodiscusslargerissues,ifany.
Thetraininghashelpedthecommunitytofamiliarizethemselveswiththedifferentpartsofthehandpumpandevenifmajorrepairsarerequiredinthebelowgroundhandpumpassembly,theyareabletodescribeit accurately to the concerned PHEDofficials.ThustheyhavebeenempoweredtoraiseO&MissueswithPHEDatBlockandDistrictlevelsincaseofamajorrepair.Ageneralobservationhasalsobeenthatthetraininghashelpedpeopletounderstandhowtooperatethepumpproperly (e.g.,avoidingrapidpumping)andasaresultbreakdownsarealso lessfrequent.
ThepeopleofKanjipanihavecompletelyalteredthesurroundings of the their sources andhavetakenownershipofO&Mofthehandpumpsaswellasregularwaterqualitytestingtoensurewatersafety.O&Mofhandpumps,includingminortechnicalrepairsandchlorinationbythelocallevelcare-taker,isnotacommonsight.However,inKanjipani,thelocalvolunteershavetakenupthistaskwhole-
heartedly.Effectiveandefficientmanagement of their drinking watersourceshascontributedtotheMDGofsustainableaccesstosafedrinkingwatertoallbringingaboutimprovementinthehabitatofthecommunityandthelivesof women and children. In one ofthemostbackwarddistrictsofChhattisgarh,thisisamajorachievement.Frombeingmerespectatorsofthedeterioratingwatersupplysystemsoftheirvillage,thepeoplehavebecomeperformersbytakinglocalactioninmakingthevillageself-sustainedandcapableofmanagingitsownaffairs,withminimumdependenceonanyexternalagency.
WhilethisisthestoryofKanjipani,thingshaveprogressedintheother29villagestoo.Theconceptof safe water sources has gained favourwiththecommunityandpeoplehavestartedtakingprecautionstokeeptheirdrinkingwater sources clean. In almost all thevillages,source-wiseWUGshavebeenformedandtheyhaveacceptedtheresponsibilityofO&Moftheirsources,someveryactivelywhileothersstillneedhandholdingandmotivation.Kanjipanihasdemonstratedthat,inspiteofthecivilunrestandtheimpendingsenseofinsecurity,withsomecapacitybuildingandfacilitation,theusercommunitycaneffectivelymanageitswatersourcesandensureefficientservices.Thepositiveroleplayedbythecommunityhasenhanceditsself-imageandself-confidenceand,inatenseenvironment,providesinspirationforothervillagestofollow.
Inputs by: Rushabh hemani, UNICEF,Raipur.
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3 References and key resources: Water Safety Plans for Rural Water Supply in India, Policy Issues and Institutional Arrangements. DDWS and WSP, 2010.Sikkim Village Water Safety Planning Training Manual and Planning Templates (RMDD and WSP, 2010)Dhara Vikash - http://sikkimsprings.org/
EnsuringGoodSafeWaterwiththeWaterSafetyPlan3
Location: Sikkim
InSikkim,thegovernmenthasintroducedacomprehensivedrinkingwaterandsanitationprogramthatincludesCommunityLedTotalSanitation(CLTS)toachieveopendefecationfree(ODF)villages,villagedrinkingWaterSafetyPlanstoensurepotablewater,andaSprings-shedDevelopmentProgram(DharaVikash)toensuresourcesustainability.Thisnotedescribesthewatersafetyplanninginitiative.Itprovideslessonsaboutthedemonstrationandimplementationapproach,policyissuesandinstitutionalarrangements,andkeysuccessfactors.
ThemainprojectpartnersweretheDepartmentofRuralManagementandDevelopment(RMDD),GovernmentofSikkim;theStateInstituteofRuralDevelopment(SIRD);alocalNGO,theSikkimDevelopmentFoundation(SDF);andtheWaterandSanitationProgram(WSP).
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4 Comptroller and Auditor General, Government of India, August 2009.
Safe drinking water is key to ensuringimprovedpublichealth.InSikkim,intheperiod2002-07,asmanyas2.77lakhpersonswereinfectedwithwaterbornediseaseslikediarrhoea,cholera and gastroenteritis out ofwhich25peoplelosttheirlives4.Thenumberofactualcases of diarrhoeal diseases is probablyevenhigherasmanycasesgounreported.Between2006and2007,RMDDwithsupportfromWSP,conducteda‘SectorAssessment’forruraldrinking water and sanitation. Subsequently,furthersupportwasrequestedforCLTSandwaterqualitymanagement.
Theobjectivesofthewatersafetyplanninginitiativewere
fourfold:i)bettermanagementofwaterqualitybypreventingcontaminationbeforeithappens;ii)itisa‘learningbydoing’mechanismtoachieveimprovedoperationalmanagement;iii)itprovidesanapproachtoprioritizingimprovementprograms(physicalandoperational)basedon health outcomes which emphasizecustomerservices;andiv)itprovidesaconcretemeansoflinking sanitation and hygiene to watersupply.
Theapproachadoptedwasbasedonan“actionresearch”methodology,whichwassubsequentlyrolledoutinthreephases:
• Phaseone(2008,initialpiloting):Initialpilotdemonstrations
wereconductedintwoGPs(KamlingandChisupani).ThiswasfollowedbyworkshopsinSouth and West Districts to get consensus and commitment to action and carry out activitymapping.ThenastateworkshopwasheldwithRMDDinGangtoktoagreeonpolicyissuesandinstitutionalarrangements
• Phasetwo(2009,scalinguptoalldistricts):AtRMDD’srequest,pilotswerethenheldineightGPsinallfourdistricts in Sikkim. Training oftrainerworkshopswereheldforSIRDfieldfacilitators,RMDDJuniorEngineersandPanchayatInspectors,andstateworkshopsondistrictplanningcoordination were held to
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orientatedistrictofficials.Inaddition,supportwasprovidedtopreparewaterqualitytestingprotocolsandrecommendtrainingoptionsfordistrictlaboratorytechnicians,andSDFprovidedsupporttoRMDDforastateIECinitiative
• Phasethree(2009-2010,establishingastateprogram):Inthefinalphase,aStateRuralWaterPolicywasdraftedbyRMDDandtrainingprogramsforallVWSCsrolledoutbySIRD
InDecember2009,aStateRuralWaterPolicywasdraftedbyRMDD.Thekeypolicyissuesidentifiedwereasfollows:
• AdoptionofthedrinkingWaterSafetyPlanapproach(withtheSprings-shedDevelopmentProgramthiscanprovidecomprehensivedrinkingwatersecurity)
• Establishingnewrolesandresponsibilitiestosupportdecentralizedplanningandimplementation
• UsingWaterSafetyPlanimprovementprogramsasthebasisforinvestment
• Convergenceoffundingat districtleveltointegratewith programsthataddressprotection andconservationofdrinking
watersources,e.g.,NationalRuralEmploymentGuaranteeScheme(NREGS),BackwardRegionsGrantFund(BRGF)
• Conjunctiveuseofgroundwater,surface water and rainwater harvesting,especiallytoensurerobustnesstonaturalcalamities
Inputs by: yangchen d. Lepcha, AssistantDirector,StateInstituteofRuralDevelopment(SIRD),Karfectar,Jorethang,SouthSikkim-737121
The institutional arrangements are showninFigure5.Overallpolicyand standards are those set out atnationallevelunderthenewNRDWP.Establishingawaterqualitymanagementprogramisastateresponsibility.Districtsareresponsibleforplanningcoordinationandwaterqualitytestinglaboratories.TrainingisprovidedbySIRD.Planning,implementation,O&MandmanagementistakenupbytheGPandVWSC.
Anumberoffactorsofsuccesswereidentifiedduringtheimplementationprocess.Mostimportantistocreateownershipand commitment to action. In Sikkim,theprocesswasledbythegovernment(RMDD)andworkwascarriedoutbylocalpartners(SIRDandSDF)withtechnicalsupportfromWSP.Inaddition,itiscriticaltobuildontheexistingsituation,forexample,todovetailtoexistinggovernmentprogramsandworkwiththeexistinginstitutionalarrangements and stakeholders.
Lessons learnt regarding implementationshowthatthereareadvantagesinadoptingwatersafetyplanning,including:preventingcontaminationbeforeithappens,improvingoperationalmanagement,prioritizinginvestmentsonthebasisofpublichealthoutcomes,and linkages to hygiene and sanitation.Inaddition,byidentifying the functions requiredtosupportwatersafetyplanning,itispossibletoarticulateactivitymapping(rolesandresponsibilities),andimproveneedsbasedtrainingprograms.AlsothepreparationofWaterSafetyPlans(andassociatedoperatingplansandserviceimprovementplans)becomesatransparentmeansfordevelopingresultsbasedfinancing.Importantly,itisrecognizedthatthisrequireslong-termpoliticalcommitmenttoimplementationoftherecommendedpolicyandinstitutional framework.
Figure 5: Institutional arrangements
Verificationofdrinkingwaterquality
Awarenessraising
Baselinesurveysforwaterquality
Preparationofoperatingplans
Preparewater safetyplansCheckingthe
operationofdrinkingwatersafetyplans
Managementof watersupplysystems
Audit/reportingonmanagementofdrinkingwaterquality
Training
Districtplanningcoordination
Overallpolicyandstandards
EstablishWQMprogramme
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NauniMajhgaonGPissituatedabout15kilometre.from Solan town in Solan District ofHimachalPradesh.TheGPisaNirmalGramPanchayatwithapopulationofabout1,500persons(129families).
TheTotalSanitationCampaignwastakenupin2006andnowtheGPisfullyODF.Thewatersourceshavebeenconservedbyconstructingrainwaterharvestingtanksandundergroundtanksineveryhousehold.Watersourcesareproperlycoveredandprotectedagainstpollution.Checkdamshavebeenprovidedonnalahsundertherainwaterharvestingsystem.Tankshavebeenconstructed for collection of rain water and this water is used for irrigation.
AVillageModelforWaterSupplyandSanitationLocation: nauni Majhgaon gram Panchayat, Solan district, himachal Pradesh
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AdrainagesystemprovidesforsewagedisposalthroughouttheGP.Vermicompostunitshavebeensetupandincineratorsinstalledforwastemanagement along with the construction of waste waterpitsandthewastedisposalsystem.Dustbinshavebeenprovidedtoeveryhousehold,shopandoffice.Kitchenandbathroomwastewaterdrainshavebeenlaidforwastedisposal.Solarlights(82)havebeenprovidedforstreets.Everystreethasbeengivenaconcretefloorwithcovereddrains.
TheGPhaswonfollowingawards:
1. National-levelNirmalGramPanchayataward (Rs.1lakh)bythethenPresidentofIndiaDr.A.P.J.AbdulKalam.(2006-07)
2. MaharishiValmikiTotalSanitationAward(Rs.5.lakh)in2008
3. StateMaharishiValmikiTotalSanitationAward(Rs.10lakh)in2009
4. FirstBimaGramPanchayatinthestate
Inputs by: hemant Tanwar
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DrinkingwaterqualityinruralareashasemergedasakeypolicyconcernfortheGovernmentofIndia.Ithasbeenestimatedthat,attheruralhouseholdlevel,accesstodrinkingwaterisashighas90percent,butmosthouseholdsstillhavetomakedowithpoorqualitywater.Bacteriologicalcontaminationduetopoorsanitaryconditionsremainsthemajorcauseofconcern,butotherwidelyreportedcausesofcontaminationinclude:(i)fluoride;(ii)arsenic;and(iii)hightotaldissolvedsolids.Intensiveuseoffertilizersandpesticidesinagriculturealsoresultsincontaminationofsurfacewaterbodies(runoff)andgroundwater(seepage).
DefluoridationofWater: APublicPrivatePartnershipInitiativeLocation: Andhra Pradesh
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AndhraPradeshisamongtheworstfluorideaffectedstatesinthecountry,withanestimated1,881habitationsreportingfluorideincidenceinadditiontoothertypesofcontaminations(physicalandbacteriological).Theincidence and intensity of water pollutionishigheramongpoorhouseholds.Provisionofsafedrinkingwaterinasustainablemanner,therefore,iscrucialforimprovedqualityoflifeintheruralareas,ingeneral,andthatofpoorhouseholds,inparticular.
Theexistingwaterpurificationprocess,undertheruralwatersupplyschemes,involvesaccessing water from surface (tank,river,canal,etc.)sources;processitthroughSlowSandFilters(SSFs),chlorinationandpumpingtoanoverheadtankforsubsequentpipedsupplytothe community or households. Inthecaseoffluorideaffectedareasdefluoridationplantsareestablishedatthecommunityorvillagelevel.Insomeareas,domesticdefluoridationfilters5 wereprovidedtothepoorhouseholds.Despiteanumberofinitiativestowardsprovidingsafedrinking water in rural areas,waterrelatedhealthproblemsseemtopersistinasignificantway.
SomeofthereasonsidentifiedinthedeltaregionsofAndhraPradeshinclude:i)poorqualityofrawwateratsource(lackofsourcemanagement);ii)powershortagesresultinginmixingof treated and untreated water (lackofawarenessandcontroloverlocalmanagement);iii)poorcondition and maintenance of
SSFs(absenceofmanagementcapacitiesamongtheGPs);iv)scarcityoffundswiththeGPs(financial);andv)lackofstoragecapacitiesandimproperhandlingpracticesbythepooratthehouseholdlevel.
Thesituationisnodifferenteveninthecaseofdefluoridationplantsinstalledinsixdistricts.Institutional(people’sparticipation,awareness,etc.),financialandtechnicalproblemsareidentifiedasmajorreasonsforthefailure(PRED,2007).Alternativemechanismssuchasprovisionofsurfacewater,rainwaterharvestinganddistributionofhouseholddefluoridationfiltersarebeingexplored.Whiletheadoptionofhouseholddefluoridationfiltersfailedtotakeoff6,othertwomechanisms(surfacewaterprovisionandrainwaterharvesting)needstronginstitutionalbackup.
Thereisgrowingevidencethatsomeofthepublicinitiativesinvolvingprivatepartiesareeffectiveinaddressingthewaterqualityissuesintheruralareas.Duringthemid2000,someNGOssuchasByrrajuFoundation,WaterHealthInternational,NaandiFoundation,CenterforWaterandSanitation(CWS),SmaatAqua,etc.,establishedwatertreatmentplantsindifferentpartsofthestate.TheseNGOsworkedincollaborationwithtechnologyproviderslikeWaterHealthInternationalandTATAProjectsfordevelopingtechnologies at one end and with thecommunitiesandPRIsforestablishingandtherunningthe
plantsontheotherend.Someofthetechnologiesadoptedinthestateare:
• RoofwaterharvestingmethodspromotedbybothGovernmentofAndhraPradeshandsomeNGOs
• HouseholddeflouridationmethodspromotedbysomeNGOsaswellasGovernmentofAndhraPradesh
• Privateenterpriserssellingwaterinruralareasparticularlyin coastal districts and Nalgonda
• Watertreatmentplantswithultraviolet(UV)andreverseosmosis(RO)technologywithpublicprivateparticipation
• Microfiltertechnologiespromotedbysomeoftheorganizationstothegovernmentandotheragencies
Thoughdifferenttechnologieswereadoptedbydifferentagenciestomitigatewaterqualityproblemsinthestate,watertreatmentplantswithUVcoupledwithROtechnologywhichcantreatbothchemicalandbacteriologicalcontaminationhavegainedmomentum.ThecapitalcostvariesfromRs.3.5lakhto0.00lakhsdependingonthetypeofcivilstructuresoptedbythevillages/agencies.
FundsareprovidedbydifferentagenciessuchasNGOs,communities,philanthropists,politiciansforsettingupofwatertreatmentplants.Itismadeclear
5 These filters are distributed to the households for filtering drinking water at the individual household level. 6 The active aluminium filter needs thorough cleaning every two weeks, which the households find difficult to maintain.
thatthecommunities/GPssharepartofthecapitalcostinadditiontoprovidingspaceandrawwaterfor treatment.
TheparticipationofGlobalPartnershipforOutput-BasedAssistance(GPOBA)providedassistanceworthUS$1milliontoNaandiFoundationtosetupwatertreatmentplantstoimproveaccesstosafewaterforthepoor.
Water treated in the treatment plantsissuppliedthroughjerrycanesof10-20litrecapacityatfixedpoint,i.e.,nearthetreatmentplantsorsometimesdifferentsalepoints.ThewatertariffisRs.2-3fora20litrecanifsuppliedatthetreatmentplant.Ifthewaterissuppliedatthedoorstep,an
additionalchargeofRs.1-2ischargedpercantowardsthetransportationcostdependingon the distance. Some of the local unemployedyouthareengagedintransportationofwatercanstosupplyatthedoorstep.
Waterqualitytestsarecarriedoutbytheagenciesestablishedtheplants,usingprivatelaboratories,onaregularbasisandtheresultsaredisplayednearthetreatmentplantsforthepublic.
Somerapidstudiesbydifferentagencieshaverevealedthatthepenetrationlevelvariesfrom30-90percentdependingontheextentofthewaterqualityproblemsinthevillage.Itisalsoindicatedthatthereisbehavioural
change among the communities wherethewatertreatmentplantsareestablished.Inmanyvillages,peoplecarrypurifiedwatertotheworkplacesorfarmersareexpectedtoprovidepurifiedwatertothelabourforcetheyengage for any work.
Thoughthisinitiativestartedinafewvillagesin2005,currentlyitis estimated that such treatment plantshavebeenestablishedinmorethan1,000villagesinAndhraPradesh.InadditiontotheNGOs,manywomen’sSHGsandGPshavesetuptreatmentplants.TheGovernmentofAndhraPradeshhasidentifiedsomeagenciesthroughabiddingprocesstoexpandsimilarinitiativestomorevillagesthroughoutthestate.
Inputs by: Mariappa kullapa, WaterandSanitationSpecialist, WaterandSanitationProgram,55,LodiEstate,NewDelhi.
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Indian agriculture and rural life aretodayheavilydependentongroundwater.Approximately80percentofthetotalwaterresourceswithdrawnareutilizedfor agriculture. Further lowering ofgroundwatertablescanseriously threaten India’s hard-earned food security at a time whenIndiawillneedtoproducemore food to feed its growing population.Inaddition,whilstdomestic water for drinking is
WaterHarvestingtoAugmentWaterResources:TraditionalTechnologyandCommunitiesarePartoftheSolutionLocation: Alwar district, Rajasthan
arguablythehighestpriorityuseofwater,itisactuallyaverysmallconsumer of water resources. Intheabsenceofasystemthat safeguards the meagre quantityrequiredfordrinkingwaterfirst,thereisahighriskthatbigconsumersofwaterwillsignificantlydepletethewaterresources,deprivingthedrinkingwatersectorofthesmallquantitythatpeopleneedtodrinktosurvive.
Solutions to ensure drinking watersecurity,however,exist.ThishasbeenamplydemonstratedbythesuccessfulexperienceoflocalcommunitiesinAlwarDistrictinRajasthan,supportedbytheNGOTarunBharatSangh(TBS)anditsfounderMr.RajendraSingh7.Itispossibletoharvestand augment water resources through the construction of small waterharvestingstructurescalledJohadsandtheimplementation
7 Mr. Rajendra Singh , Tarun Bharat Sangh, Tarun Ashram, Bhikampura, District Alwar, Rajasthan, India ; www.tarunbharatsangh.org ; [email protected]
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ensureswateravailabilityinwellsorboreholesusedfordrinkingwatersupplyandirrigation,evenforseveralsuccessivedroughtyears.Also,duringthedryseasonwhen the water gradually recedes in the Johad,thelandinsidetheJohad itselfbecomesavailableforcultivation.Thislandperiodicallyreceivessiltandmoisture,andthatallowscropcultivationwithout irrigation. So the Johad doesnottakeawayvaluablearablelandfromcultivation.
Afterconservation,themainissuethat surfaces is the management ofwater.TBSisacommunity-basedorganizationwhichworks on demand-side water management.ThevillagershavealsoformedanArvariSansadto frame rules of water use. Theseincludethecompensatoryagriculturalcroppattern,underwhichafarmercandevoteonly25percentofhislandtowaterintensivecropswhilethebalancemustbecultivatedwithnonwaterintensivecrops.
Rainwaterharvesting through smallstructuresrevivedfiverivers–Bhagani-Teldehe,Arvari,Jahajwali,SarsaandRuparelwhichhadbeenreducedtoseasonalrivers–benefitingsome250villagesin1995.Theareawassubsequentlydeclareda’whitezone’bythestategovernment.
Inagriculture-dominatedvillages,the change in surface water andgroundwateravailability,especiallyinwinter,hasincreasedsignificantly.SincetheRabicropisthemaincashcropinthisregion,this has translated into significant
oflocalwatergovernance.Since1985,8,600Johads havebeenbuiltin1,086villages.Thishasresultedintheriseinwaterlevelsintheshallowaquifer,increaseintheareaundersingleanddoublecrops,increaseinforestcoveranddrinkingwatersupplysecurity.
The water collected in a Johad duringmonsoonpenetratesintothesub-soil.Thisrechargesthegroundwaterandimprovesthesoilmoistureinvastareas,mostlydownstream. The ground water canbedrawnfromtraditional
openwells,builtandmaintainedbythevillagersthemselves,withoutanyinputfromoutside.Asthepercolationprocesstakessometime,dependingonthesoil,depthofwater,etc.,duringthistemporaryperiod(sometimesseveralmonths),thewaterinthe Johad is directly used for irrigation,drinkingwaterbyanimals,andotherdomesticpurposes.
Theotheradvantageofthisstructure is that it checks soil erosion,mitigatesfloods,and
economicgains.Insomevillages,farmershavediversifiedintocropssuchasonion,vegetablesandflowers(insomecases)duetoassuredwateravailability.This has led to an increase in agricultural income.
Communitiesnowenjoythebenefitsofsustainabledrinkingwatersupply,thankstotherevivaloftraditionalwaterharvestingstructureswhichhaveimprovedgroundwaterrechargeand,consequently,significantlyincreasedthewatertablelevelinallwellsandboreholes.Astudycarriedoutintheprojectareashowsthatthewatertableinwellshasincreasedby20to50feet,andthatevenafterseveredroughtsin2003and2006,waterlevelsremainedsufficientlyhightoprovideadequatewatersupplyforthepopulation.
Inputs by: christophe Prevost, SeniorWaterandSanitationSpecialist, WaterandSanitationProgram,55,LodiEstate,NewDelhi
Thecostofstructuresbuilthasbeenlowinmostcases,thusallowingvillagecommunitiestobeabletomobilizetheircontributions,accountingforabout30percentofthecapitalcost.SeventypercentoftherainharvestingstructurescostlessthanUS$1,000and10percentmorethanUS$2,500.
Johads areaprimeexampleoftheingenuityofinexpensive,simple,traditionaltechnologythatisquiteremarkableintermsofrechargingground water of the semi-arid regions leading to the eradication ofruralpovertyitself,generationofmassiveruralemploymentandreduction in distress migration fromruralareastourbanareas.
Thustheissueofwater,asshowninRajasthan,isnotaboutscarcitybutaboutitscareful
useandaboutitsequitableanddistributedaccess.Theparadigmofwatermanagementwillhavetobereworked,sothatitisdesignedtoharvest,augmentanduselocalwaterresources,leadingtodrinkingwatersupplysecurityandinclusivegrowthatalllevels.Inthiscontext,traditionalcommunity-basedwater management systems pavethewayforidentificationofappropriateadaptationandmitigation strategies to address theimplicationsofclimatechange on economy and ecology. Theexemplaryintegratedwater resources management interventionsofcommunitiesinAlwarDistrictshowthepotentialadaptationandmitigationmeasuresatlocal/regionallevelhavetoaddresstheglobalchallenges of climate change impactonwaterresources.
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SourceProtectiontoEnhanceMultipleUsesof Drinking WaterLocation: khasi hills, Meghalaya
RuralcommunitiesinhillregionssuchastheNorthEastofIndiaaredependentlargelyonnaturalsourcesfordrinkingwater.However,inrecenttimes,naturalsourcessuchasspringshavebeguntodryupduetodeforestationintheupperreachesofwatersheds.Deforestationhasbeendrivenbyanumberoffactorsincludingtimbertrade,miningandcultivationofhillsslopes.UndertheInternationalFundforAgriculturalDevelopment(IFAD)sponsoredNorth-EasternRegionCommunityResourceManagementProjectforUplandAreas,SpringTrapChambers(STCs)havebeenpromotedwiththeobjectiveofprotectingnaturalsourcesofdrinkingwater.
Landsfromwherenaturalsourcesofdrinkingwater,suchassprings,originateareunderthreeformsofownershipinMeghalaya:i)individuals;ii)clans;andiii)community-basedorganizations.TheIFADprojectselectedlandsundercommunity-basedorganizationsonwhichSTCswereestablished.TheSTCsaremanagedbyNaturalResourceManagementGroups(NAMGs)whichfocusisonpreservationoftheenvironment,developmentofagriculturalpotentialandaddresssocialissuessuchasrepresentationofwomenindecisionmaking.WomenarenotpartofdecisionmakingintraditionalinstitutionsintheKhasihillsthatareknownasDorbors(equivalentofvillagePanchayats).
IFADsupportedtheprojectfrom1999to2008inMeghalaya,TripuraandManipur.InMeghalaya,projectvillagesareorganizedinto19clusters;selectionofvillageclusterswasbasedoncriteriasuchasdistancefromroads,relativepoverty,presenceofcommunitycatchmentlands,etc.TwoSTCdesignshavebeendevelopedbytheprojectinconsultationwithPHEDstaff:i)designfortheplains;andii)designforhilllocations.
Protectionofdrinkingwatersourcesthatserveapopulationofapproximately7,12,500hasbeenenhancedasaresultoftheIFADproject.Existingrulesrelatingtocatchmentprotection(suchastimberfelling,banonhuntingandfirecontrol)havebeenenforcedmoreeffectively.MultipleuseofwaterfromSTCshasbeenemphasized(drinkingwater,clotheswashing,livestockrearingandkitchengardens).TheaverageannualhouseholdeconomicbenefitsderivedfromtheuseofSTCsareinrangeofRs.84,550,000inMeghalayaalone.Inadditiontoeconomicbenefitsderivedfromlivestockrearing,householdsalsoderivenon-economicbenefitsthroughenhancedfoodsecurityprovidedbykitchengardens(mustardleaves,beansandcabbage).
Inputs by: Mariappa kullapa, WaterandSanitationSpecialist, WaterandSanitationProgram,55,LodiEstate,NewDelhi
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Thehydro-geologicalfeaturesofMaharashtra(93percenthardrock,variabilityinrainfall)imposelimitationsongroundwateravailability.Competingdemandsongroundwater,particularlyforagriculturalpurposesthroughindiscriminatepumping,haveledtoanunsustainablesituation,warrantinginnovativesolutionsthroughcommunitypartnership.TheaquiferpilotsimplementedinPune,BuldhanaandAurangabadDistrictsthroughtheJalswarajyaWorldBank-assistedprojectareastepforwardinachievingsustainableaquifersthroughcommunityparticipation.
AchievingSustainableAquifersthroughCommunityParticipation,SciencesandDemandManagementLocation: Pune, Buldhana and Aurangabad districts, Maharashtra
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Theprojecttookupthechallengetoleadthepaththroughpilotingmanagementofgroundwaterataquiferlevel,bymotivatingthevillagecommunitylivingoncertaindesignatedaquifers,tothink,planandimplementsustainablegroundwatermanagementsolutions.ThiswasactivelyfacilitatedbythestateagencyGSDA,monitoredbytheDWSSReformSupportProjectManagementUnit(RSPMU)oftheGovernmentofMaharashtra.
Threeaquiferswerechosenthathadreasonablechallengesanddiversityforgroundwatermanagement,onascientificbasis,byGSDAinconsultationwiththecommunityandRSPMU.Groundwaterrechargemeasures,includingvariousmanagementoptions,wereplannedandimplementedbythecommunityinaparticipatorymannertakingintoconsiderationtheentireaquifer’srainwatercollection,run-offandstoragepotential.ThiswasguidedbythedistrictunitsofDWSS,GSDAandsupportorganizations.
Thepilotexperimenthasprovedthatthecommunityataquiferlevelcanbebroughttogetherforparticipatorygroundwatermanagement,and therefore it has emerged as a rational tool in ensuringthesustainabilityofgroundwatertomeettheneedsofthevillagecommunity.Theadditionalquantityofgroundwaterretainedintheaquifertranslatestoanavailabilityofabout1,690kilolitreofwaterperhouseholdperyear;oritcanirrigateanadditionalareaof3,900hectareperyear,inadditiontoprovidinground-the-yeardrinkingwatersecuritytothevillagers.ThepilothasalsoresultedincostsavingsofRs.88lakhperyearfortheGovernmentofMaharashtrabyavoidingtankersuppliestovillages.
SimilarpilotsarebeingimplementedinanotherWorldBank-assistedproject--MaharashtraWaterSectorImprovementProject.Basedonthelessonslearned,asofNovember2010,thetheGovernmentofMaharashtraisconsideringscalinguptheinitiative.
Sustainabilityofgroundwaterresourcesispossibleonlywhenthevillagecommunityunderstandsthedynamicsoftheaquiferandlearnshowtomanageit.Untiltherecentpast,avillageorblockwasconsideredasaunitfordevelopmentalactivities.
However,sincetheseareonlyadministrativeunits,theimportanceofcollectiveactionformanagementofnaturalresources,suchasgroundwater,wasignored or neglected which resulted in under- or over-utilizationofsuchresources.
Theconceptofmanaginggroundwaterresourcesataquiferlevel,throughcommunityparticipation,waspilotedforthefirsttimeinthecountryundertheJalswarajyaproject,facilitatingtheadoptionofaholisticapproachtoproblemsolving.Thepilotisinterestingbecauseof:i)itssizeanddiversity–itcoveredabout60villages,infiveaquifersintheDistrictsofPune,BuldhanaandAurangabad,inatotalareaofabout430squarekilometre,infiveriverbasins(Godavari,Purna,Bhima,ManjraandPatalganga);ii)itbroughtthecommunitytogether–AquiferWaterManagementAssociations(AWMAs)wereformedamongstthevillages,facilitatedbythedistrictteamsandGSDA;andiii)itadoptedholisticmanagementapproaches–throughsimpleandinnovativephysicalworkswithtechnicalsupportfromGSDAanddemandmanagementpracticesfacilitatedbythedistrictunits.
Maharashtrareceives85percentofitsprecipitationfromsouth-westmonsoonfromJunetoSeptember.Rainfallishighlyvariablebetweenyearsanddroughtsarerecurrent.Thereiswidevariationinthespatialdistributionofrainfallacrossthestate,rangingfrom3,000to6,000millimetreayearintheWesternGhatsto600millimetreayearintheEasternrainshadow/droughtproneareasofthestate.Groundwaterdevelopmentandmanagementisamajorchallengebecauseoftheoccurrenceofheterogeneousandcomparativelylowwateryieldinghardrockformations(basaltandgneiss)comprisingthemaingroundwaterbearinghorizon,whichoccupyabout93percentofthegeographicalareaofthestate.Inaddition,groundwatersourcesinrelativelysmallpatcheshavebeenaffectedbyseawaterencroachmentinthecoastalareas;excessivefluorideconcentrationsinNanded,yeotmalandChandrapurDistricts;andsalinityinthealluvialarea.
Cultivationofcropslikesugarcane,fruit,etc.,whichrequirelargequantitiesofwaterinthewaterscarceareas,isheavilydepletinggroundwatersources.Largenumbersofborewells/tubewellsarethemain
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sourceofirrigationinallthepartsofthestate.Forabout80percentofthevillages,groundwateristhemainsourcefordomesticneedsaswell.About22percentofthetotal2,316sub-watershedsarecategorizedassemi-critical,criticaloroverexploitedwithdecliningwatertabletrends.Thoughthispercentageisnotworrisomeinitself,itisaggravatedbylowrainfall,highpercentageofwaterguzzlingcommercialcropsandanalarmingandprogressivedeteriorationofgroundwaterandsoilquality.Inthiscontext,managementofgroundwaterresourcesattheaquiferlevelthroughtheinvolvementofthecommunityseemedtobethewayforward.
Theobjectiveoftheaquifermanagementpilotcomponentwastodevelopandtestapproachesforholisticandsustainablemanagementofwaterresourceswiththeinvolvementofstakeholders.Themainelementsofthestrategywere:
• Buildcapacityofstakeholdersinthepilotareaforsustainablemanagementofgroundwaterresources
• Analyzethecurrentstateofgroundwateravailabilityanduse-patternsandtheirimplicationstosourcesustainabilitywithinthepilotarea
• Provideinformationtostakeholdersongroundwateravailabilityandsensitizethemontheneedforadoptionofcommunity-centreddemandmanagementoptions
• Developandimplementasustainablegroundwateraquifermanagementmodel
Atthestatelevel,thepilotwascoordinatedbyanAquiferManagementPilotcoordinator.The
threedistricts–Pune,BuldhanaandAurangabad–formedDistrictTechnicalCommitteestoappraiseplansanddooverallmonitoringofprogressonbehalfofthedistrict.Toprovidefieldimplementationsupport,TechnicalSupportGroups(TSGs)wereformed,headedbyaseniorgeologist.TheAWMAsareexecutivebodiesattheaquiferlevel,formedoutofVWSCs,toworkonbehalfoftheAquiferWaterManagementSabha(AWMS)–thecollectivegroupofbeneficiariesataquiferlevel–whichmakesdecisionsinaparticipatorymanner(Table7).SupportorganizationsandtechnicalserviceproviderswerehiredtosupportAWMSs/AWMAsonanongoingbasisinplanningandimplementingtheinterventions.
Theprocesswasfacilitatedbythedistrictandstateteams.Thecommittees,withtechnicalfacilitationfromdistricts,supportorganizationsandtechnicalserviceproviders,haveanalyzedthepresentsituation,visualizedthefuturescenario,collectivelydecidedandimplementedthemeasuresthatwouldbetakentomanagethegroundwatersustainably.
Structural Measures: Low-cost structural measures (withimprovementssuggestedbyGSDA)wereimplementedtoarresttheadditionalavailablerun-off,whichotherwisewouldhavebeenwasted.Asinthemainproject,eachcommunityhastocontribute10percentagainstthecapitalcostofthesemeasures.Actually,630aquiferstrengtheningcivilworks(71percent)outofatotalof891costlessthanRs.1lakh,and228works(25percent)costbetweenRs.1and5lakh.Only33works(4percent)costmorethanRs.5lakh.Theactualcivilworksstartedduringearly2009.
Thesupply-sideinterventionshavebeenplannedtakingintoconsiderationtherun-offcalculations
Table 7: Village/aquifer level institutions
No District Numberof Numberof Numberof Numberof Aquifers VWSCs AWMSs AWMAs
1 Auangabad 03 30 03 012 Pune 01 09 01 013 Buldana 01 20 01 01 Total 05 59 05 03
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inaparticularaquifer.Rainfall,acreage,numberofdugwellsandgeo-morphologicalparameterswereactuallycomputedandconsideredforcalculations.Allexistingstructureshavebeenconsideredalongwiththeongoingandproposedworksunderdifferentschemesbydifferentdepartments,bringingconvergencesoastoavoidoverlapping.TherechargepotentialthatcanbeaccommodatedintheaquiferwasestimatedscientificallybyGSDA.Rechargemeasureswereplannedthroughvarioustypesoflocallyrelevantstructures,withtechnicalimprovementsbyGSDA,suchastakingintoconsiderationtheirrechargeefficiency.
Thethinkingofthecommunitywasreflectedinthenumberandtypesofrechargemeasurestakenup.Theactualsiteselectionofthecivilworkswasajointexerciseofthecommunity,supportorganizations,technicalserviceprovidersandTSG.Siteselectionwasdonebasedonthefindingsonthegroundofrecharge and discharge areas in the watersheds. Aquifergeo-hydro-topologicalfeatureswerealsoconsideredwhiledecidingthefinalmeasurestobeundertaken.Theissueofsustainabilityofgroundwater resources and the cost sharing of the interventionsproposedbythecommunitywerediscussedintheAWMSs.
demand Management option:Attheaquiferlevel,non-structuralmeasuressuchaschangeincroppingpatterns,controllingandmonitoringofgroundwaterwithdrawalshavebeenconceivedandimplemented.ThedemandmanagementwascarriedoutbytheAWMAswiththesupportofAWMSs.Communitiesweretrainedbythesupportorganizationsanddistrictteamstocarryoutthemonitoring of rainfall with rain-gauges installed in all GPs,andpreandpostmonsoonwaterbudgeting.
Althoughthepilotistoorecenttomeasureitsimpact,theevidenceisshowinginthesensethatcommunitieshavedecidedtobansugarcaneand
replaceitwithlocalcropsinPune,switchtodrips/sprinklersforhorticulturalcropinAurangabadandPune,andprohibitdrillingofnewborewells.TheyarereadyforimplementingtheGroundwaterAct.
Theinterventionsbringinadditionalgroundwaterstorageof475hectaremetreperyear,anadditionalareaof3,900hectareperyearunderirrigation,andprovideround-the-yeardrinkingwatersecuritytothevillagers.ThishasalsoresultedincostsavingsofRs.88lakhperyearfortheGovernmentofMaharashtrabyavoidingtankersuppliestovillages.ThecostofstructuralmeasuresisextremelylowatRs.1,477percapita.
Thepilotprovedtobeusefulandhasemergedasarationaltoolinensuringthesustainabilityofgroundwatertomeetvariousneedssuchasdrinking,domestic,andagricultural.Whatisinterestingandencouragingisthatthismodelcanbereplicatedelsewhere.
StrongsupportfromtheGovernmentofMaharashtraandGSDA,practicalimplementationapproachesbasedonexperiencesfromthemainprojectJalswarajya,andcontinuedsupportandfollow-upare the main factors of success.
Thepilottooktimetokick-start,withtheenergiesandresourcesofthegovernmentteamsfocusedonthemainprojectinthebeginning.Thepostofcoordinatorwasvacantforsometimeduringimplementation.Therefore,inordertoexpeditiouslyimplementsuchinterventions,dedicatedteamsarerequiredallthroughimplementation.ThepilotalsohadincludeddevelopmentoflegalandregulatoryframeworkthattheGovernmentofMaharashtracouldputinplaceforscalingupgroundwaterresourcemanagementonasustainablebasis–whichprobablycouldhavebeenanambitiousgoaltoaddressunderapilotcomponent,inretrospect.
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Table 8: Statement of benefit from the pilot work
8 Water that would have percolated to ground from run-off. Based on assessments by the GSDA.9 From item (I).10 From item (III).
No Particulars Details Districts Total Aurangabad Pune Buldana
I Technical details
Areacoveredinsqkm 178.25 95.74 159.68 433.67 Areainhectares 1sqkm100ha 17,825 9,574 15,968 43,367 Averagerainfallinmm 630 394 795 1,819 peryear Totalrun-offinhectares Areaxrainfall 11,230 3,772 12,695 27,697 meterperyear
II groundwater availability (ha m)8
Availabilityofground 410 218 354 982 waterbeforeAWMP Additionalavailabilitydue 175 75 225 475 toAWMP Totalavailableground 585 293 579 1,457 waterafterAWMP
III net available water from run-off [based on item I above]
15%oftotalrun-off(ham) 15%ofrun-off 1,685 566 1,904 4,155 80%dependability(ham) 80%above 1,348 453 1,523 3,324 Netavailablewaterin 1ham=10,000KL 13,480,000 4,530,000 15,230,000 33,240,000 KLperyear
IV Benefits per head/family
Projectpopulationinthe Pop2001x1.5 40,371 15,626 42,238 98,235 aquiferareas Grossavailabilityofwater Totalrun-off9/ 2,782 2,414 3,006 2,819 perhead(KL)/year population Netavailabilityofwaterper Netavailable 334 290 361 338 head(KL)/year water10/population Netavailabilityofwaterper family(KL)/year 1family=5persons 1,670 1,450 1,805 1,690
V Area that can come under irrigation based on groundwater (item II)
Areaunderirrigationbefore AWMP(ha) 588 4,661 3,642 8,891 AdditionalareaafterAWMP(ha) 2,000 500 1,400 3,900 Totalarea(ha) 2,588 5,161 5,042 12,791
Contd. on next page
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No Particulars Details Districts Total Aurangabad Pune Buldana
Contd. from previous page
VI Irrigation potential for crops (area in hectares that can be irrigated, based on groundwater (Item II))
JowarOR 900KL/year 14,978 5,033 16,922 36,933 WheatOR 1,800KL/year 7,489 2,517 8,461 18,467 CottonOR 3,300KL/year 4,085 1,373 4,615 10,073 Sugarcane 11,500KL/year 1,172 394 1,324 2,890
VII Indirect benefits (through reduction in tanker usage)11
No.oftankers/yearfor 49 54 4 107 last 5 years Expenditureontankers 37.9 3.9 2.1 43.9 (Rs.mil)inthelast5years Costsavedontankers/year 7.6 0.8 0.4 8.8 (Rs.mil)sincetheyareno longerrequiredinthe aquiferareas
11 Some of the villages in the aquifer areas were being provided with water by mobile tankers in summer.
Inputs by: deerajkumar (IAS),ProjectManager,Jalswaraja,Departmentof WaterSupplyandSanitation,GovernmentofMaharashtra,and
n.V. Raghava,WaterandSanitationSpecialist,WorldBank,NewDelhi
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Lapodialiterallymeans‘notgood’inthelocallanguage.Historically,theresidentsofthisvillagehavebeenlookeddownupon.However,Mr.LaxmanSingh’sworkonwaterconservationhasearned international recognition forthevillage.Heisnotverywellread,buthisthinkingonwaterconservationhastransformednotonlyLapodiavillage,butalsonearbyvillages.Theentirestatewassufferingfromdroughtandwatercrisis,butnotLapodia.AsmallbeginningthroughcommunityparticipationhasearnedhimtheappreciationoftheUnitedNations,theGovernmentofRajasthanandtheGovernmentofIndia.TheDheerubhaiAmbaniMemorialTrustestablishedbyReliancehasalsoawardedMr.LaxmanSinghforhisefforts.
ThestorybeganduringtheEmergency;theyoungLaxmanSingh was a student of 10th class. Whilevisitingthevillageduringschoolvacations,hebecameupsetwhenhesawtheconditionofthevillage;villagerswerefightingeachotherandenteringintolitigation.LaxmanSingh
WaterConservation–AnInnovativeProcessLocation: Lapodia village, Rajasthan
decided to do something for the village;hestartedasmallschoolwiththehelpofhisfriendswherechildren from all walks of life couldstudyfree.Hisnextventurewasdiggingapond(talab) along withhisfriends.Impressed,therestofthevillagerssoonjoinedin. Since the talab,wastobeusedforirrigation,itwasdecidedthatonememberfromeachhouseholdwouldparticipateinthediggingwork.Thiseffortatwaterconservationledtoaseriesofotheractivities,asaresultofwhich there is no water crisis in Lapodiatoday.
There are three talabsinvillage:AnnSagar,PhoolSagarandDevSagar.Everyyear,duringmonsoon,allthetalabsfilluptothebrim.Asaresult,allhandpumpsandtubewellsarerecharged and the community getsgoodqualitywaterroundtheyear.AllnearbyvillagessufferfromproblemsofsalinityexceptLapodia.
LaxmanSingh’seffortshavepaidrichdividendsinothervillagesalso.Heisalsoworkinginthenearbyvillage,Nagar.Hiseffortin
ShailSagarvillagehassucceeded.The local talabisfulluptothebrim,thewellsarerechargedandlocalresidentsareexcited.Goodqualitywaterisavailableatameredepthof50feet.
In1987,LaxmanSinghcameupwiththeideathatpeopleshouldputasmuchwaterbackaspossibleintotheground,toensuresustainability.HedevisedanewtechniquecalledChoukaSystemforgroundwaterrecharge.Afteryearsofexperimentation,thistechniquehasnowbecomeeffective.Inthistechnique,smallrectangulardykeswithentryandexitpoints,are constructed. The rectangular dykesarecalledChoukas.TheslopeinsidetheChoukaissuchthatamaximumof9inchesofwaterstandsinit,whichensuresmoisture in the soil round the year. When after years of hard work,peoplesawtheresultsoftheChoukaSystem,theyrealizedthatalltheeffortwasworthit.ThetreesinsidetheChoukagrowveryfast,thegroundwater is recharged and there is no dearth of water for drinking purposes.TheChoukasare
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constructedinpasturelandandpeoplehavevoluntarilyremovedencroachment from thousand of acresofpastureland.Theyhavesoweddifferentvarietiesofgrasswhichhasresultedinadequatefodderproductionforanimals.Evenduringdrought,Lapodiaproducesmilkworthlakhsofrupees.
Today,thousandsofpeoplehavejoinedLaxmanSinghinhiswork.RamKaranGujarhasplanted2,000treesspendingfromhisownpocket,motivatedbyLaxmanSingh’swork.Allencroachmentshavebeenvoluntarilyremovedbythepeoplefromcatchmentareas of talabs.Everyyear,theGramVikasNavyuvakMandalofLapodiaheadedbyLaxmanSingh holds a pad-yatra (rally)to create awareness on water conservation.In1994,theGovernmentofRajasthanrecognizedLaxmanSingh’seffortsandprovidedfinancialsupport.TheChoukaSystemandLaxmanSinghhavereceivedaccoladesandappreciationfromtheGovernmentsofRajasthanand India as well as eminent environmentalexpertsandprivateorganizations.LaxmanSingh’sexperimentwithcropseeds and organic agriculture arecontinuing.Hehasalsodevelopedawildlifesanctuarynearthevillage,andthevillagershavetakenanoathtoprotectanimal life.
What is the chouka Technique
GramVikasNavyuvakMandal,Lapodia,withthehelpofseveralinternationalorganizations
developedtheChoukaSystemforwaterconversation,todeveloppastureland.Thetechnologywasfirstemployedinasmallareaandresultswerestudied.TheChoukaSystemwasscaledup,afterconfirmationofpositiveresults.ThesalientfeaturesofChoukaSystemare:
• Itisapurely indigenous and naturaltechniqueforpasturelanddevelopment
• Themaximumbenefitwithminimumexpenditureisaccrued
• Moistureisretainedintheentirepastureland
• Rainwaterisharvestedforadefiniteperiod
• Waterisstoredin10percentarea for ground water recharge
• Itisagoodtechniqueforfodderproduction
• A9inchwatercolumnismaintainedintheChoukafor10 to 30 days
• AllChoukasareinterconnectedandwaterflowsfromonetoanother and ultimately the overflowfallsintoatalab
• Localfloraisgrowninthepastureland
• Theentirepasturelandisconvertedintodifferentzonesof moisture content
• Differentvarietiesof fodder aregrownbasedondifferentmoisture contents
chouka construction
• Firstofall,pasturelandismeasured
• TheconfigurationofChoukasisfinalizedbasedonslopeofpasturelandanddirectionofflowofwater.Theoverflowshouldfallintoarivuletorapond.
• AlayoutdrawingofChoukasisprepared
• MicroplanninginsidetheChoukaisdone
• ThemainwalloftheChoukaisconstructedbetweentwohighestpointsonthedownstreamsidetoarrestflowof water
• Theheightofthewallis0.5to0.75 metre. The walls are made upoflocalsandexcavatedfrominsideChoukas
• Inthemainwall,asmallpassageforexitofwaterisprovided
• ThelengthandbreadthoftheChoukaisconstructedinsuch a manner that the height ofwaterwithintheChoukashouldnotincreasebeyond 9 inches
• Arivuletorpondisconstructed at the end of thepasturelandwheretheoverflowfromtheChoukasiscollected
• Localbabool, ker, khejari seeds aresprinkledontheChoukawalls
• DifferentvarietiesofgrassaregrowninsidetheChoukas
Impact of chouka System on Pasture Land
• AsaresultoftheChoukaSystem,socialmobilizationhastakenplaceandencroachmentsremovedfrompastureland
• DuetoconstructionoftheChoukas,theentirepasturelandisdividedintozonesofdifferentmoisturecontent
• Duetoretentionofrainwaterin10percentofthearea,anincreaseingroundwaterlevelintheentirevillagehastakenplace
Inputs by: CommunicationandCapacityDevelopmentUnit,Rajasthan.
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12 Reference : Andhra Pradesh Farmer Managed Groundwater System Project –Project Document http://www.apfamgs.org/Default.aspxEvaluation of FAO cooperation with India, Andhra Pradesh Farmer Managed Groundwater Systems (APFAMGS - GCP/IND/175/NE http://www.apfamgs.org/upload/PDF/GCPIND175NET-APFAMGS-eva-final.pdfTechnology and knowledge for gender equity and justice http://www.apfamgs.org/upload/PDF/CP532006_40031.pdfThe Trail of Change, Villagers View point on APFAMGS intervention, September-2006 http://www.apfamgs.org/upload/pdf/RE502006_40035.pdfDeep Wells and Prudence, Towards Pragmatic Action for addressing groundwater Overexploitation in India. http://www.apfamgs.org/upload/PDF/world_bank_rep.pdf
Realizingthecriticallinkbetweenfoodproductionandgroundwateruse,anumberofNGOs,research institutes and national andinternationalprogramshavebeenworkingonoptionalparadigmsthatwouldencourageandsensitizefarmerstoward
moderating their water demand. Thisinvolveseducationandawarenessbuildingaroundkeyaspectsofgroundwater,itsutilizationandconservation.Theprocessincludesactiveinvolvementoflocalcommunitiesindatacollection,capacity
buildingandimprovedmanagementoftheavailableground water resources.
AndhraPradeshFarmerManagedGroundwaterSystems12(APFAMGS)projecthasdemonstratedthatanenabling
CommunityManagedDemand-side GroundWaterManagementLocation: Andhra Pradesh
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strategycouldsupportfarmersinreflectingonkeyissuesandhelpthemgenerateappropriateknowledgetobeusedinregulating ground water use. Reflectionandselfregulationencourageopportunitiesforinternalizationandsustainability.
InsevendroughtpronedistrictsofAndhraPradesh,farmersresidingin638habitations,spreadover400GPs,havevoluntarilytakenanumberofstepstoreducegroundwaterpumpingtoaddresstheproblemofgroundwaterdepletion.TheAPFAMGSprojectisapartnershipwithfarmersforimplementingtheDemandSideGroundwaterManagement(DSMG)concept.
Animportantcomponentoftheprojecthasbeenself-evolvinginclusiveinstitutions,whichanchortheprogramandactivitiesatthegroundlevel.GroundwaterMonitoringCommittees(GMCs)atthehabitationlevelandtheirfederationHydrologicalUnitNetworks(HUNs)offeraninstitutionalplatformtothefarmerstocollectivelyreflect,planandimplementtheprograms.Theparticipationoffarmershasnotbeeninaphysicalsensealone,ithasacknowledgedandvaluedtheircreativepotentialandknowledgeandhas facilitated their knowledge andinnovationsurge.Thishasfollowed a careful and consistent processoffacilitationincludinghelpingthefarmersinassessing,analyzingandplanningdifferentactivitiesrelatedtogroundwaterandlivelihoods–sustainableagriculture.Adoptinganexperientiallearningprocess,
usinganon-formalpedagogicalformat,hashelpedthefarmersappreciatethescientificnuancesofgroundwaterandsustainableagriculture.Animportantimpacthasbeentheappreciationoffarmers’knowledgebythestateagencieswhichhavereciprocatedwithphysical,financialandtechnologicalsupport.TheAPFAMGSprojectisimplementedbynineNGOscoming together as a network underanodalNGO,supportedbytechnicalconsultantsofferingnecessary technical facilitation. Theprominentanchorsarehabitationlevelinstitutions–GMCsandtheaquiferlevelfederationHUN.ThelocalinstitutionsworkcloselywithPRIsandotherSHGs,andcommunitybasedorganizationsarecoalitionpartnersoftheprojectforpromotingprojectobjectives.
APFAMGSisaninitiativedesignedtostimulatefarmers’innovationin the assessment and analysis ofgroundwater,andfinetuneinitiativestooptimizewaterbasedlivelihoods.Theknowledgehasbeenusedtohelpthefarmersandothervulnerablecommunities deal with the depletinggroundwateranditseffectonagriculture.Theprojectuses community institutions to takeresponsibilityforassessinggroundwateravailabilityforamicrounit,andusetheunderstandingtoplangroundwaterresourcessustainablyfortheiragricultureandlivelihoodpattern.Theproject,sponsoredbytheFoodandAgricultureOrganization(FAO),has:i)offeredlocal solutions in managing groundwaterdistress;ii)reduced
groundwaterpumpingalongwith an increase in wealth creation;iii)enhancedrechargeinitiativesandconsequentriseinwaterlevel;andiv)diversifiedthecroppingsystemmatchingwithavailabilityofwater.
TheAPFAMGSmodelworksonthetheoryofbehavioralchangefacilitated through new learnings leadingtonewreflexes.Theprojecthastakenadvantageofthechangingdemographicprofileofthecountrytotapthelargenumberofyoungadults(menandwomen)withhigherlevelsofaspirationstoworkcollectivelyforacquiringnewlearnings.Thestrategyhasbeentobringupfronttheissuesrelatedtogroundwaterdistress,engagethematanintellectualplaneandchallenge them to look for local solutionstoensuresustainabilityof the ground water resource.
Forthefirsttime,theissueofwaterisnotcompartmentalizedonthebasisofindividualfarmers,habitations,villages,butlookedatcomprehensivelyatthemicro-basinlevelwithallcompeting
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recording,classification,documentation,analysis,exchangeofinformation,makinghypothesis,testingthehypothesisinthefarmers’fields,furtherexperimentsandobservations.Overall,theefforthasbeentoensurethatthereisnoattempttodilutethesciencejustbecauseitishandledbythecommunity.The transfer of information happensthroughface-to-facecommunicationusingvoice,bodylanguagesupportedbytraining
aids.Muchofthelearningmakesuseofexplicitknowledgeintotheir understanding of the world-view.Complementarytothisformoflearningarethefieldvisits,short-termandlong-termexperiments,fieldworkshopsandexhibitionsofthemodelsfromtheneighbouringareas.
Institutionshavebeenpromotedastheidealplatformtolookbeyondindividualconcernsandthusexcludeselfishinterestofafew.Genuineinstitutionsrepresentthecollectiveviewswhiledissentingvoicesarealsodulyacknowledged.Amultilayerinclusiveinstitutionthatisverticallyintegratedhasbeenbuiltintotheproject.TheGMCshasbeenconceivedasavillagelevelinstitutionofthemenandwomenfarmers.SeveralGMCswithinagivenhydrologicalboundaryjointogethertoformaHUN.Theinstitutionsprovideaplatformforfreewheelingdiscussions,receivelocalsolutionsthatareoriginal,notboundbyanyconventions,asthey say rooted to the soil.
Aspartofknowledgebuilding,locally generated data are used toraisethelevelofawarenesson common issues related to ground water distress at individualfarmlevelaswellasonthehabitationanddrainageunitlevel.Thistriggersaprocessofinternalizationofthedataandsets into motion discussions at variouslevelsandformationofopinionsonthecauseandtheeffects.Theimpact of ground waterdevelopmentgatheredas
interestsbroughttothetableandtheneedsprioritizedlogically.Nooutsidesolutionsarepresented,butlocalhomegrownideasdebated,consideredandnewinputsprovidedlargelythroughfieldexposuresandinteractionwiththosewhohave adoptedthem.
Theknowledge,capacityandskillsofthefarmersarebuiltaroundseveralstepsincludingobservations,measurements,
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dataaredeliberatedroundtheyearculminatinginaCropWaterBudgeting(CWB)workshoppriortothecroppingseasontoassessthebestcropcombinationthatcanbetakenupintheentiremicrobasinlevel.Basedontheunderstanding,thefarmersadoptsuitablemodificationsintheiragriculturalpracticesthatcanleadtosignificantreductionsinannual ground water use.
Thedecisiononcropchangesisvoluntaryandnoadviceisprovidedbytheproject.Theemphasisisonimprovingthewateruseefficiency(lesswaterformoreproductivity).Theprojectdoesnotadvocatechangesincropsbeinggrowntraditionallyorforcommercialgain.Theprojectrespectsthefarmer’straditionalknowledgeandwisdomtobeabletotakemostappropriatedecisions.Institutionsactaspressuregroupstoadvocatechangeincropping,useofsustainableagriculturalpracticesandwatersavingtechnologies.Thegovernmentalongwiththebanksprovidesthenecessarysupportforinvestmentson technologies related to watersavings.
A160percentchangeinthecroppingsystemisalready
beingwitnessed.Initially,thenumberofcropsintheprojectareawasonly14andnowhasbeendiversifiedto32.Cropdiversificationhasbeenlargelyinfavouroflowwaterconsumingandlowriskcrops.Highwaterconsumingcropslikepaddy,sugarcane,banana,turmeric,andmulberrycontinuetobegrownbutwithsubstantiallyreducedirrigation(rangingfrom20-60percent).Foodsecurityandimprovednutritionhaveneverbeencompromisedwhilechangingthecroppingsystems.Thefarmershaveworkedoutanumberofwaystoreducegroundwaterpumpingthroughchangesincropping,cropdiversification,improvedwateruseefficiency,improvedpumpefficiency,regulated construction of new wellsandrevivedabandonedwells as recharge structures. Thus thenewapproachaddressesthecomplexissueofgroundwateroverpumpingbyarticulatingthecommunity’s interests while not targetingindividualfarmers.
Governanceasdictatedbylocalinstitutionshashelpedachievesustainablegroundwaterdevelopmentbyavoidinglocalconflictsandterritorialdissensions.The most critical factor of governanceistheknowledgetounderstandandappreciatetheprobleminallitscomplexityandcreatetherequiredownership/responsibilityintheattitudeofthedifferentstakeholders.
TheAPFAMGSprojectcontinuestoinspirefundingagencies,governmentsandagro-basedindustriestoadoptthe
institution-led,knowledge-drivenapproachesintheareaofnaturalresource management.
Institutionsundertheprojecthavecontributedsignificantlyininitiatingpracticesforsustainablemanagement of ground water bytreatinggroundwaterasacommonpropertyresource.Institutionshaveensuredgroundwaterusersmakeeffortstounderstand the nature of ground wateroccurrence,cycle,andlimitationsinitsavailability.
Institutionspromotedfarmersindatacollection(rainfall,waterlevels,wellyields),calculatingground water recharge from monsoonalrainfall,andestimating their annual water usebasedonplannedcroppingpatterns,therebybuildingtheirunderstanding of the dynamics and status of ground water in the localaquifers.
Farmer data collection also facilitates access to information aboutwater-savingtechniques,improvedagriculturalpractices,and ways to regulate and manage farmers’ own demand for water. Theprojectdoesnotofferanyincentivesintheformofcashorsubsidiestothefarmers:thehypothesisisthataccesstoscientificdataandknowledgehasenabledfarmerstoworkunitedlyinmakingappropriatechoices and decisions regarding agriculturalpracticesanduseofground water resources.
Independentprojectevaluationindicatesthat,inamajorityoftheprojectareas,theinterventions
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expectedresultswerelargelyachieved.Farmersunderstandthe seasonal occurrence and distributionofgroundwaterintheirhabitationsandinhydrological units as a whole andareabletoestimateseasonalrecharge,draftandbalance.Farmersarecapableofcollecting and recording rainfall and associated ground water data.Theyhavemasteredtheconceptofgroundwaterasacommonpropertyresourceand are willing to manage it for thecollectivebenefit.Thiswasachievedthroughstrongfocusandinvestmentoncapacitybuildingandthroughtheprocessofdemystificationofscience,withoutcompromisingonthebasicscientificprinciplesofsustainablemanagement.Thishadastrongempoweringeffectonparticipants.
Theprojectworksonthesupplyside of the ground water resource throughartificialgroundwaterrechargestructurestoimprovegroundwateravailability.Themodelcanbeusefullyreplicatedinsimilarenvironmentalconditionsunderanytypeofintervention.FarmerWaterSchools(FWSs)areaplatformforgroundwaterfarmers,menandwomen,thatfacilitateexperientiallearningofdifferentcultivationtechniquesandcroppingpatternslinkedtotheuseofthe ground water resource. This wasachievedthroughintensivecapacitybuildingandprogressivedevelopmentoftheFarmerFieldSchool(FFS)conceptintotheFWS,buildingontheprinciplesofnon formal education.
7percenthavewitnessedanincrease in ground water draft duringthisperiod.Thisimpactisunprecedented,intermsofreductionsactuallybeingrealizedingroundwaterdraft,andintermsofthegeographicextentofthisimpact,coveringdozensofaquifers,hundredsofcommunities,andapproximateoutreach of one million farmers.
APFAMGShassucceededinestablishingstrongcommunityprocessesbyformallyengagingall ground water users and using traditionalandwell-establishedvehiclesofcommunitymobilization.Theprojectisrootedinastrongparticipatory,capacity-building,andgendersensitiveapproach.AnothersignificantdesignfeatureofAPFAMGSisthatit engages the farmers around a crucial element of information thatisvitalforplanningagriculturaloperations.
Theprojecthasbeensuccessfulin meeting its challenges and
havesucceededinbuildingalinkbetweenwateravailabilityand water use for agriculture. Thecoremessageoftheproject,thatgroundwaterabstractionoverthelongtermneedstobealignedwithwateravailability,istakinghold.Thisissuggestedbytheemergingpositivecorrelationbetweenwateravailabilityandwaterusein48outofthe58projecthydrologicalunits.
APFAMGSprojectdesigndoesnotcallforsacrificesinprofitabilitytoreducewateruse.Surveyresultsshowthatprojectareafarmershaveconsistentlyimprovedtheirprofitability,withthenetvalueofoutputsnearlydoublingduringtheprojectperiod,withinferiorand more erratic results in similar non-projectareas.Intermsofcumulativewaterabstractions,42percentofthehydrologicalunitshaveconsistentlyreducedthegroundwaterdraftoverthethreeyearsofprojectoperation,while51percenthavereducedthedraftintermittently,andonly
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AkeyelementintheFWSistheCWBsessionatthestartoftheRabiseason,particularlyasadecision-making tool for farm familiestoadoptalternativeagriculturalpractices,suitingtheavailabilityofgroundwater.ThisinnovationtotheFFSapproachis a key decision-making tool also atcommunitylevelandcanbeconsideredanimportantelementin increased social and natural capital.Itisalsoimportantinlightoffutureexpansionandup-scalingoftheFWSapproach.
Inaddition,trainingonlowexternalinputagriculture,inputsfromthebio-agentsproductioncentre,documentationofbestagriculturalpracticesandFarmerTrainingTeams,allledtoreductionofexternalinputs,withbeneficialconsequencesontheenvironmentandhealthoftheruralpopulation.
The local institutions and platformssetupforcommon
Inputs by: dr. k.A.S.Mani [email protected]:Mr. Paul Raja Rao, BharathiIntegrated
RuralDevelopmentSociety,Nandyal,Allagadda-518543.E-mail:[email protected]
decision-makingatthelevelofthehydrologicalunitarethrivingbodiesthatcanproveverybeneficialfortheirmembersandthewiderpopulation.Thereisgoodevidencethatsocialcapitalwascreatedanddevelopedatthedifferentlevels.
Prospectsforenvironmental,social,institutionalandtechnicalsustainabilityoftheproject’sachievementsandresultsarehigh.Economicsustainabilityoftheinnovationsproposedwilldepend,toalargeextent,onnationalandinternational food and energy pricepolicies;nevertheless,farmersshouldbeequippedwith knowledge and decision making tools that allow them to copewithexternalthreatstoagoodextent.
Finally,theAPFAMGSapproachoffersagoodparadigmforfunding agencies and federal/
state agencies working in the area of ground water management. Localgovernanceofgroundwaterbythegroundwaterusersthemselvesbringstogetherallthedifferentstakeholders,strengthenslocalinstitutions,makes the hydro-geological informationfullyaccessible,considerablyreducesthetransactioncosts,promotestheconceptofdemandsidemanagementasaviableoption,simplifiesthetasksofgovernmentdepartmentsinplayingthefacilitationroleofprovidingknowledge,skillsandcapacities.Experienceshowsthatpromotinglocal ground water regulation isnotdifficult,neithercostlynorsensitiveandcanreachthenecessary scale in the shortest time.TheAPFAMGSconceptcanbesafelyadoptedforsustainablemanagement of ground water indifferentpartsoftheworldsubjectedtolargescaleover-exploitation.
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RenovationofTraditionalWaterBodies(Oorani)toSustainAccesstoDrinkingWaterforRuralCommunitiesLocation: Tamil nadu
TheGovernmentofTamilNaduhasbeengivinggreatimportancetotheruraldrinkingwatersectorbyallocatingsubstantialfundsandotherresourcesaimedatimprovedaccesstosafeandsustainabledrinkingwatersupplytoruralcommunities.Mostruraldrinkingwatersupplyschemesaregroundwaterbasedandgroundwaterbodiesareunderseverestressduetoover-exploitation.Also,thesustainabilityoftheschemesareatstakeduetosourcefailure/depletionofsources,poorO&M,non-availabilityofthetimelypowersupplyforpumping,andwaterqualityproblemslikesalinity,fluoride,etc.
Mosttraditionalwatersupplysystemshavebeenabandoned/areunattendedbythelocalcommunitiesforvariousreasonsaftertheemergenceofpumpingtechnologyandruralelectrification.Theincreaseindemandforwaterbythedifferentsectorslikeirrigation,industryandurbanizationisthemajorchallengetobeaddressedimmediately.TheGovernmentofTamilNaduhasgivenprioritytorainwaterharvestingandmadeitmandatoryintheentirestate.Rejuvenationoftanks,pondsandotherwaterbodieswasundertakenbythegovernmentundervariousschemessuchasemploymentgeneration,anddroughtreliefprogramstocapturerainwaterwhereveritfalls,anduseitlocally.
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Undertheaegisofrainwaterharvestingthroughrejuvenationoftraditionalwaterbodies,theDepartmentofRuralDevelopment,GovernmentofTamilNadu,during2002-03,evolvedastrategyforsupplementingwaterfordrinkingandotherneedsoftheruralcommunitiesthroughinitiatingapilotprojectondevelopingtheOoranis(traditionalvillageponds)withappropriatetechnicalinterventionsandcommunityaction.TheprogramwasdesignedinpartnershipwithotherprofessionalorganizationconsistingofNGOs,technicalinstitutionsandthecommunities.Eachpartnerhasclearrolesandresponsibilitiesbasedontheirexpertise.Themajorstakeholder/partnersareshowninFigure6.
TheDepartmentofRuralDevelopmentisthenodaldepartmentatthestatelevel,responsibleforprovidingfunds,policysupport,andpreparationofestimatesthroughfieldlevelofficialsinconsultationwith,andbasedontheinputsprovidedby,theotherpartners/experts,overallmonitoringandcoordination.TheDhanFoundationisresponsiblefor selection of Ooranis basedonsetprinciples,communityconsultationandmobilization,securingcommunitycontributions/sharethroughcash/labour/materials,capacitybuilding,documentationoflessons,follow-uponO&M,andfeedinglessonsforreplication.TheCentreforWaterResources,AnnaUniversity,isresponsibleforhydraulicstudies,catchmentsassessmentsandtechnicaladvicerelatedtowaterresources,treatments,etc.
TheCentreforEnvironmentalStudiesisresponsiblefortechnicaladvicerelatedtoenvironmentalaspectsincludingpollutioncontrolmeasures,waterqualityissuesincludingwaterqualitymonitoring.CommunitiesandGPsareresponsibleforextendingfullsupporttotheprojectincludingthecapitalcostsharingof15percentthroughcash/labour/material,participationinplanning,implementationandO&M.
Tooverseethepilotproject,theRuralDevelopmentDepartment,GovernmentofTamilNadu,formedataskforceconsistingofrepresentativesfromthemajorpartnerorganizations.Initially,10Ooranis fromKancheepuram(lowgroundwater)andRamanathapuram(salineeffecteddistrict)were
selectedforthepilot.Detailedplanningwasundertakenbyallpartnersbeforetakinguptheactualrenovationofthewaterbodies.
Majorstepsinvolvedintheentireprocessare:i)formationofthetaskforce;ii)identificationoftheOoranisforrejuvenation;iii)planningincludingthesurveys/research/baselinestudiesbythegroupofexperts;iv)communitymobilization,consultation,capacitybuildingandawarenesscreation;v)designing and cost estimations and resource/fund mobilization;vi)implementationandO&M;v)andmonitoring/follow-upanddocumentation.
ThemaintechnicalaspectsinvolvedinthedevelopmentoftheOoranis are:
• ThecatchmentareaoftheOorani isidentifiedandcheckedforsufficientrun-off
• TheOorani isdeepened/desiltedbyscoopingthetopsoiltoimprovethestoragecapacity
• TheinletchannelthatallowswatertotheexistingOorani iscleanedup,therebyavoidinganysiltdepositcarriedtotheOorani
• ThefiltermediaarrangementusingslowsandfiltersisinstalledinsidetheOorani tofilterturbidwater
• AhandpumpisinstalledoutsidetheOorani for the community to fetch clear drinking water
• Fencingisprovidedtoavoidpeopledirectlyenteringandalsofromlocalpollution
• Thefiltermediaprovidedensuresgoodqualityofdrinking water
Figure 6: Major stakeholder/partners
RDD,GovernmentofTamilNadu
Communities/GPs
AnnaUniversity
DHAN Foundation
RejuvenationofallOoranisinthepilotprojectiscompletedandhandedovertothecommunitiesforO&M.Goodqualitydrinkingwaterhasbeenensuredfromalltheschemesthroughappropriateinterventions(biosandfiltersfortreatingwater).TheprojecthasensuredcleanwaterforthecommunitiesthroughouttheyearwithminimumO&Mcostbeingbornecompletelybythecommunities.TheGovernmentofTamilNaduhasscaleduptheprogramto300villagesinthestate.Theprojectcarriesoutthemonitoringofwaterquality,inflowofwaterinthepond,lossofwaterincludingevaporationlosses,andconsumptionlevel.
Communities/GPsfromdifferentdistrictshavestarted making demands for the scheme. The projectbuildspartnershipsandownershipamong the communities. In addition to increased accesstosustainablewatersupply,theproject
providesemploymentopportunitiesforthelocalcommunitiesduringitsimplementation
TheGovernmentofTamilNaduhasexpandedtheprogramofdevelopingOoranis through the Tamil NaduWaterSupplyandDrainage(TWAD)Board.Theseactivitiesareundertaken/executedunderdifferentprogramsuchasthePradhanMantriGramodayayojana,theAcceleratedRuralWaterSupplyProgramme(ARWSP).TheNationalBankforAgricultureandRuralDevelopment(NABARD)hasalsoprovidedfinancialassistance.Sofar,511Ooranishavebeencompleted.TheOoranis are supplementarytotheexistingdrinkingwatersourcesandserveasstandalonesources.Testsindicatethatqualityofwater,byandlarge,itisofgoodquality.TheGovernmentofTamilNaduhasdecidedtoexpandtheprogramtotheentirestatewhereverwaterqualityandquantityproblemsaresevere.
Inputs by: dr. k. Sridhar, TWADBoard,TamilNaduand Mariappa kullapa,WaterandSanitationSpecialist,WaterandSanitationProgram,
55,LodiEstate,NewDelhi.
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CombiningWaterSupplyandSewerageandRecyclingofWasteWaterforIrrigation:AnInterestingExampleLocation: hulakoti village, gagad district, karnataka
UndertheJalNirmalproject,HulakotiistheonlyvillageinKarnatakathathasadoptedanunderground drainage sewerage system along with the water supplyscheme.Thepopulationofthevillageisabout12,000with2,478householdsand1,290waterconnections,25standposts,and1,600sewerageconnections.Waterisavailabletwoorthreehoursperday.
Thewatersupplyandseweragesystem,completedin2006,ismanagedbytheVWSCwith24technicalstaff.AuniqueaspectofthisVWSCisthatithasfourengineers and a doctor among its members,whohavebeeinvolvedwiththeprojectsinceinception.
Thevillagerstookadecisionthattoiletswouldbecompulsoryinallhouses,shopsandbuildings
constructedaftertheinceptionoftheproject.Inaddition,apleatostopthepracticeofopendefecation was made through the Shramadaanprogram.Variouscapacitybuildinginterventionsonimplementationandmanagementofthewatersupplyschemesandpromotionofsocialactivitieswereorganized.Today,1,920householdshavetoiletsandthevillagehassixcommunitylatrines.
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Thesewerageprojectwasimplementedatacostof Rs.3,18,71,000.ThecommunitycontributedRs.35lakhforthesewerageproject.TheGPPresident,members,VWSCmembers,villageheads,andrepresentativesofwomen’sorganizationswentfromdoortodoortocollectthefunds.Atvariousstagesoftheproject,ownersofearth-movingmachinerycooperatedbylendingtheservicesoftheirmachines for free.
The sewerage system is made of 1,920connections,amainpipeline7 kilometers long consisting of HDPEandPVCpipes,42kilometrelongstonewareandRCCpipes,threedrainagezonesandonefinaldisposalandtreatmentsite.Wastewaterflowsthroughthesepipesintotwoopenoxidationreservoirswithacapacityof35lakhlitresandisthenpumpedintotheclear water tank. It is estimated thatabout50percentofthedaily1,300m3ofwastewaterproducedis collected.
Initially,itwassuggestedthatthetreatedwaterbeletoutintoapitnexttotheclearwatertank.However,theengineersadvised
theVWSCthatthewatershouldbereused.Currently,farmerspumpthiswaterintotankersforuseinirrigation.Thenextstep,underprogress,istolaydownpipestotheadjacentfieldsforirrigation and charge a nominal fee(Rs.150peracreperyear) to farmers.
Underthescheme,1,490personaltoiletshavebeenconstructed.Personal,familyandcommunityhygienehasbeensubstantiallyenhanced.Twentypublicstandpostshavebeenconstructed;andsevenschools,includingaprivateschool,havebeenprovidedwithdrinkingwatersupply;parkshavebeenconstructedinfiveschools;andAnganawadichildrenhavebeenprovidedwithtoys,aspartoftheschoolsanitationprogram,whichpromotesenvironmentalawareness and hygiene among school children.
TheVWSCpreparesabudgetandpresentsitattheGramaSabha.Watertaxesarecollectedanddepositedinthemaintenanceaccounttopayforexpenditures.Thechargesarefixed:forhouseholdsRs.60permonth;forpublicaccesspointsRs.30permonthandforcommercial
supplypointsRs.100permonth.Educationinstitutionsandhospitalsarenotrequiredtopayforwater.In2006,thewatertaxwasRs.10permonthperfamily;however,tocoverexpenses(wardstaffsalary,electricitybillandmaintenanceworks),twotaxincreasestookplacein2008and2010.Thereisnoregularchargefortheseweragesystem,excepta one-time connection fee of Rs.500.However,theVWSCisfinanciallyinapoorshapeandhas Rs. 80 lakh of electricity billspending.
DuetotheJalNirmalproject,Hulakoti,whichhasachievedalltargetstoqualifyitfortheNirmalGramPuraskar(NGPorcleanvillageaward),isnowacleanandbeautifulvillage.Thecommunityhasgivenupthehabitofdumpinggarbageandwasteinpublicspaces,wastewaterfromsewageisbeingeffectivelyutilizedforirrigation,incidencesofmalariaanddiarrhoeahavereduced,andparksestablishedundertheauspicesoftheGPandJalaNirmalprojecthavecontributedtoacleanandgreenenvironment.Thesewerageprojecthasalsocontributedtomakingthepeople’waterliterate’.
Inputs by: KarnatakaRuralWaterSupplyandSanitationAgency,JalNirmalProject
COMMUNICATIONFORWATER
ThehistoryoforganizeddevelopmentcommunicationinIndiacanbetracedtoruralradiobroadcastsinthe1940s.IndependentIndia’searliestorganizedexperimentsindevelopmentcommunicationstartedwithcommunitydevelopmentprojectsinitiatedbytheGovernmentofIndiainthe1950s.Thegovernment,guidedbysocialisticidealsofitsconstitutionandthefirstgenerationofpoliticians,startedmassivedevelopmentalprogramsthroughoutthecountry.Whilefieldpublicitywasgivendueimportanceforperson-to-personcommunicationbecausethelevelofliteracywasverylowinruralareas,radioplayedanequallyimportantroleinreachingmessagestothemasses.Universitiesandothereducationalinstitutions–especiallytheagriculturaluniversities,throughtheirextensionnetworks–andinternationalorganizationsundertheUnitedNationsumbrellacarriedthedevelopmentcommunicationsbannerfurther.
DevelopmentcommunicationinIndia,acountryofsub-continentalproportions,hasacquiredmanyconnotations.Ononeendofthespectrumarethetoolsandtechniqueslocallyappliedbycharitableandnot-for-profitorganizationswithverycloseinter-personalrelationsamongthecommunicatorsand,ontheotherend,isthegeneric,topdowncommunicationemanatingfromthegovernment.
Theneedfordevelopmentcommunicationcontinuessincealargepercentageofthepopulationlivesinruralareasanddependsdirectlyonagriculture.Povertyisreducingasapercentageofthepopulationbutalargenumberofpeoplestillliveinpoverty.Theyneedgovernmentsupportindifferentforms.Therefore,communicationfromthegovernmentremainshighlyrelevant.Inadditiontothetraditionalways,anewformofcommunicationisbeingtriedbytheGovernmentofIndiatosupportitsdevelopmentalactivities,thoughonalimitedscale.CalledPublicInformationCampaigns,publicshowsareorganizedinremoteareaswhereinformationonsocialanddevelopmentalschemesisgiven,seminarsandworkshopsareheld,villagersandtheirchildrenareengagedincompetitions,messagesaregiventhroughentertainmentshows.Inaddition,governmentandcorporateorganizationsinvolvedinruralbusinessesdisplaytheirwaresandservicesinstallsliningthemainexhibitionarea.Thisapproachbringstogethervariousimplementingagenciesandservice/goodsproviderswhiletheinformationprovidersencouragethevisitorstomakethebestuseofvariousschemesandservicesavailable.Somestategovernmentshavealsoadoptedthismodeltotaketheirdevelopmentschemestothemasses.
Strategiccommunicationisacomprehensiveandholisticconcept.Today,thevalue-additionofcommunicationtoenhancesustainabilityofruraldevelopmentprogramsiswellrecognized.Thereisalsoanincreasingawarenessthatbothinternalandexternalcommunicationshouldbecarefullyplanned,implemented,andmonitoredandevaluated.
Overall,theapproachtostrategiccommunicationsvariesandthereisconfusionaboutitsvariouscomponentsandhowitisstrategic.MostpeopleusethetermIECormediaorworse,publicrelations,todescribecommunications.Manybelievethatcommunicationactivitiesneedtobeimplementedonlyduringthelifecycleoftheprojects,fromidentificationandformulation,toimplementation,monitoringandevaluation.Communicationismorethandisseminatinginformationandknowledge,itisalsoaboutfosteringsocialawarenessandfacilitatingdialogue.Itisaboutcontributingtobuildingasharedunderstandingthatcan lead to change.
Itdoesnotaddcoststotheprojectcycle,atleastnotinthelongrun,butratheritreducesthecostsofuseless,oftenunplanned,communicationactivitiesand,mostimportantly,ensuresthattheprojectisdesignedwiththeconsensusofamajorityofstakeholders,thatitsgoalsareshared,andthatitsimplementationissuccessful.InterestingexamplesfromIndiaarecapturedinthefollowingpages.
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PunjabisoneofthemoreprosperousstatesofIndia.However,thegroundrealitiesintermsofsocialdevelopmentarequitedifferent--some30percentofthevillagesstilldonothaveaccesstobasicdrinkingwaterservice.About60percenthouseholdsinPunjabaredependentonunsafeprivatedrinkingwatersources.WithhighO&McostsfacedbytheDWSSandlowO&Mcostrecoveryfromusers,thewatersupplysystemsarebecomingunsustainable;chargedseptictankeffluentflowinginopendrainshasdegradedtheenvironmentalconditionsinthevillagesandposesaserioushealthhazard.Thecurrentinstitutional,operationalandfinancingarrangementspresentconstraintsandchallengesinachievingserviceimprovementsorensuringlong-termsustainabilityinprovidingsafedrinkingwatertotheruralmasses.
RuralWaterSupplyandSanitationProjectLocation: Punjab
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TheInternationalDevelopmentAgency(IDA)-assistedPunjabRuralWaterSupplyandSanitationProject(PRWSSP)aimstoovercomethesehurdlesbyfocusingonprovidingruralhouseholdsinthestatewithaccesstosafeandadequatedrinkingwatersupplythroughouttheyear.Theprojectisdecentralizingandempoweringthevillagerstomanageandoperatetheirownwatersupplyschemes so that they can tailor it to meet their needs.
Project communication
VeryearlyinthelifeofthePRWSSP,thestateprojectmanagementteamrecognizedtheimportanceofcommunicationinitseffectiveimplementation,especiallyincreatingademandfortheschemeamongst rural communities. The designing of thecommunicationstrategyinvolvedaniterativeprocessencompassing:i)conductingadetailedneedsassessmentstudy;ii)extensiveplanningbetweenthestateprojectmanagementteamandthedistrictmanagementteams;iii)developmentandpre-testingofmaterialsdevelopedwithintheproject;iv)effectiveimplementationoftheagreedcommunicationplan;v)regularmonitoringandevaluation;andvi)feedbackbeingintegratedintotheagreedcommunicationplan,thusmakingtheentirecommunicationprocessa‘livingandin-progress’cycleofreassessmentandrefinement.Astheprojectispeople-centricintermsofvillagerscontributingtowardsthescheme,beinganintegralpartoftheplanning,technologyselection(typeofscheme),procurement(bidinvitation,award),constructionandO&Mmanagementofallnewwatersupplyschemes,interpersonalcommunicationandcapacitybuildingareamajorcomponentoftheoutreachprogramdevelopedandsupportedbytheDWSS.
Tosupporttheseactivities,extensivebehaviourchangecommunicationmaterialshavebeendevelopedbytheprojectsuchasflipcharts,flyers,
booklets,andposterslinkedtoeachstageoftheproject’slifecycle.
Anintegralpartofthecommunicationstrategyisthewatertestingkitthathasbeenextremelysuccessful as a trigger to enter the community andinitiatedialogueontheneedforsafequalitydrinkingwaterinthevillage.Oncethedistrictteamshavegainedentryintothevillage,theprocessofconsensusbuildingandestablishingthelong-termvisionstartswiththevillagers,forthemtoagreetoowningandoperatingtheirownwaterschemewithinacleartimeframe.Throughinterpersonalcommunication,useofmassmedia,andcapacitybuilding,theentirevillagecomestoaconsensusandunderstandstheadvantageofsubscribingtotheschemeandthekindofcommitmentitrequiresfromtheirend.Thisprocessculminateswiththevillagersgarneringthecontributoryamountandtheformationofacommitteeofpeoplewillingtotaketheleadinmovingthevillagetowardssafedrinkingwaterandhelpingrunitinasustainablemannerbynegotiatingthefrequencyofwatersupply,maintainingtheaccounts,raisingbillstimely,collectingbills,holdingnon-payersaccountable,supervisingandmanagingthepumpoperator,ensuringthattheelectricitybillispaidontimeand,lastbutnottheleast,sensitizingpeopleontheneedandimportanceofwaterconservation.ThiscommitteeisheadedbytheSarpanchandisinclusiveofrepresentationfromtheweakestmembersofsocietyincludingwomen.
Inkeepingwiththeneedfortransparency,thestatemanagementteamhascreatedawebsitethathostsallprojectrelatedinformation;hasmandatedtheneed for disclosure walls that clearly articulate the dateofcommissioningofthescheme,namesofthemembersofthewatersupplycommittee,amountcontributedbythevillage,monthlybilling,monthlyexpenditure,creditinthebankpostexpenditure,nameofthepumpoperator,etc.,andputinplacea24x7complaintredressalhelplineforitscustomers.
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EngagingtheCommunityLocation: Rajasthan, gujarat
Aapni yojana13
Aapniyojnaisaruralwater-supplyprojectcoveringabout20,000squarekilometreinthreedistrictsofnorthernRajasthan,viz.,Churu,HanumangarhandJhunjhunu.Theprojectisco-fundedbytheGovernmentofGermanythroughitsdevelopmentbank,KfW.Itcoversapopulationofabout9lakhin370villagesandtwotowns,atacostofaboutRs.426crore.ThebulkofthisinvestmentisdedicatedtothetechnicalworksimplementedbytheProjectManagementCell,aspecialunitofthePHEDofRajasthan.Theproject’smainobjectiveistoimprovethehealthstatusandlivingconditionsofthetargetpopulation.SustainablesupplyisensuredfromtheIndiraGandhiCanal,asgroundwaterisinsufficientandsaline.
Toensuresustainabilityandenhancementofthebenefits,theconceptofcommunityparticipationwasusedinadrinkingwaterprojectforthefirsttimeinthehistoryofthestate.AconsortiumoffiveleadingNGOs,ledbytheIndianInstituteofHealthManagementandResearch,implementedthecommunityparticipationapproachusingavarietyoftoolssuchasbrochuresandflyers,door-to-doorcampaign,village-levelconsultations,schoolmeetings,puppetryandfolkmedia.AWaterandHealthCommitteemanagesthewaterdistributionsystemineachvillage.Thecommunitywasmotivatedthroughawarenessbuildingforpaymentofbills,waterconservation,equalandfairdistributiontoallvillages,healtheducationmeasuresandsanitationmeasures.Aswomenwerethemainbeneficiariesofimprovedwatersupplyandalsotheprincipaltargetgroupforhealtheducation,women’sparticipationwasthekeyelementacrossalltheseactivities.Theimplicationsofownershiparethatthecommunityhadtherighttodecideonplanning,designing,implementing,monitoring,operatingandmaintainingtheinstallationsofthesystemwithinitsvillage.
WASMo, gujarat14
TheMissionofWaterandSanitationManagementOrganization,Gujarat,is“workingtowardsdrinkingwatersecurityandhabitatimprovementbyempoweringcommunitiestomanagetheirlocalwatersources,drinkingwatersupplyandenvironmentalsanitation”.Inmeetingthisend,itemploystheservicesofNGOsorsupportagenciestocarryoutcommunityoutreach,buildsocialcapitalandhelpthecommunityplanitswatersupplyschemesinasustainablemanner–socially,environmentally,andfinancially.Selectedonthebasisofexistingrelationshipsinthetargetvillagessothattheyenjoygreatertrustandefficacyamongthecommunities,eachNGOteam,comprisingeightmembers,isresponsibleforaround40-50villages.ThefacilitationbytheNGOshasbeenthekeytosuccessofruralwaterinitiativesinGujarat,inadditiontotheenablingenvironmentcreatedbythestategovernmentandWASMO.MostNGOsgraduallybuildsupportandconstituencyforthewaterreformsandthenintroducetheformationofPaniSamitis(WaterandSanitationCommittees)andwaterschemesusingavarietyofsocialmobilizationandcommunicationtools.Someofthesetoolsarebrochures,posters,door-to-doorcampaign,village-levelmeetings,focusoninvolvementofwomen,andfilms.
EachvillageformsaPaniSamiti,comprising10-20membersrepresentingdifferentcastesandsectionsinthevillage.ItischairedeitherbytheSarpanchorthewardPanch.ThisSamitiistheexecutorofalldrinkingwaterprojectsandreceivesfundsdirectlyfromWASMO;thecommunitycontributes10percentormoreofthetotalcost.Allprocurement,labourandmaterial,isdonedirectlybythePaniSamiti.Mostvillageshaveimplementedwaterdeliverysystemsthatprovideaprivatehouseholdconnectiontoeachfamily.Somevillagesprovide24x7supply.Mostvillageskeepabufferstorageofsevento10daystoensuredrinkingwaterevenifpumpsorbulksupplyfails.ThereisauserfeechargedbythePaniSamiti,whichisusedforpayingbulkwaterchargesandO&Mcosts.Strongemphasishasbeenlaidinthecommunicationtoolsonpersonalhygieneandsanitation;schoolsstudentsareaprimefocusofsuchcommunication.
13 Reference : www.aapniyojana.org14 Reference : www.wasmo.org
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SuccessfulModelofPublicPrivatePartnershipinCommunicationsLocation: kerala
Palathulli-Jalasureksha2010(Palathulli –‘many-a-drop’,Jalasureksha –‘watersecurity’)wasajointcommunicationscampaign(roadshow)organizedbytheCommunicationandCapacityDevelopmentUnit(CCDU)oftheWaterResourcesDepartment,MalayalaManorama,amediahouseinthestateandUNICEF,forpropagatingthemessageofwatersecurity.
Kerala,arguablyoneofthemostrain-richstatesinthecountry,isfacingadeclineintheavailabilityandqualityofpotablewater.Thestateregistersoneofthehighestpercapitaconsumptionofpotablewateranditslowestavailability.Sandmininginriversandwatershedsiskillingtheriversandcreatingseveralenvironmentalproblems.ThewellsinKeralarundryduringsummerandthereisanacuteshortageintheavailabilityofpurewater.All44riversinKeralaarehighlypollutedduetoinflowofuntreateddomesticandindustrialwasteandagriculturerunoff.Mostindustriesarelocatednearthethicklypopulatedriversides,oftennearcitiesandtowns.Wide-spreadbacteriologicalcontaminationoffecalorigininsourcesofpublicdrinkingwatersupplies(traditionalopendugwells,borewellsandsurfacesources)isamatterofgraveconcern.Studiesshowthatthequalityofdrinkingwatersuppliesinthestateclearlyindicateshighlevelofbacterialcontamination.Thisposesaseriousrisktopublichealth.Toaddresstheissueofscarcityofpotablewateranddegradingwaterquality,amassivedrivewasconceivedtocapitalizeontheawarenessthatwascreatedinearlieryearsbyvariousgovernmentalandnon-governmentalcampaigns.Influencingthemassesforasustainedbehaviouralchangewasthecriticalchallenge.
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Despitespurtsofactivities,therestillexistsignoranceonthesubjectofwaterconservationandwaterqualitymanagementamongthepeople.Inthiscontext,Palathulli,aprojectonwaterconservationbyMalayala Manorama,andJalasureksha,aprojectonwaterqualitymanagementbytheDepartmentofWaterResources,wereintegratedtoleveragethestrengthsofbothprojectsandtodevelopthecampaign‘Palathulli- Jalasureksha’.
Malayala Manorama, the largest circulated and the largest read regionallanguagenewspaperinthecountry,alsohasleadershippresenceintelevision,radio,onlineandprintmediawithahostofmediatitles.ManoramahadlaunchedthePalathulliprojectin2004,anawarenessandcapacitybuildingcampaigntoface societal challenges related to water. It resulted in a new paradigmofconservationoffreshwaterriversandwatersourcesand,mostimportantly,rainwaterharvesting.Theprojectwasfocusedonrainwaterharvestingand was immensely successful. TheprojectwonmanyawardsliketheUNESCOIPDCInternationalPrizeforRuralCommunicationin2006andtheIndiraGandhiEnvironmentalPrizein2007.
TheDepartmentofWaterResources,GovernmentofKerala,launched Jalasureksha, a water securityprogramtoaddressthewaterrelatedproblems.Themainobjectiveofthisprogramwasto assure water security for all in asustainablemannerthrough
variousprogramsinitiatedbythegovernmentandimplementedthroughpeople’sparticipation.Thecoreofthisprogramistocombinetheeffortsofallthelinedepartmentsandrelevantorganizationsandimplementthewatersecurityplansundertheauspicesofpeople’srepresentatives.ProvisionisalsomadefortherequiredIECandhumanresourcedevelopment(HRD)activitiessoastoensureactivepublicinvolvementwhichisinvariablyaprimaryrequisiteforthesuccessofsuchanendeavour.TheCCDUKeralaisimplementingthestate-wideIECandHRDactivitiesthroughvariousprojects.
Theobjectivewastocapitalizeon the awareness already createdandinduceabehaviouralchange. The theme of the messagewas‘PureWater,PureEnvironment’givingtheconcernsonwaterqualityaholisticenvironmentalapproach.Such a messages and learning shouldideallybecultivatedinpeople’smindfromaveryyoungage.AmassivedrivewithlocalemphasizewasachievedthrougharoadshowcoveringtheentirestateofKerala.Since‘catching them young’ was the idea,thestrategywastotargetschools and interact with as manystudentsaspossible.The20-daylongroadshowjointlymanagedbyMalayala Manorama andCCDUranacrossbothurbanandruralcentresacrossall14districtsinKerala.Eachday,threeschoolsandonepublicplacewereselectedasthevenuesfortheroadshowtovisit.
Activities: AvanwasfabricatedtolooklikeatypicalhouseinKerala.Theactivitiesstagedonandinfrontofthevehicleincludedfolksongs,magicshows,spotgamesforthestudents,waterqualitytestinglabandresourcepersoninteraction,distributionofwaterqualitytestingkitstoschools,Palathulli-Jalasureksha pledgecards/stickersfordistributionandagiantdropletmascot.
Folk songs: Arenownedtroupeof10artistesconveyedmessagesontheneedforprotectingourwater sources and maintaining thepurityofwater,throughmelodic folk songs. The traditional art of folk songs not only inducedinterestbutalsomadean emotional connect with the crowd.ThesongscoveredthemeslikeKeralarivers,purewaterandpureenvironment.
Magic show: Thevariousmagictricksperformedbyarenownedmagician induced curiosity andconveyedthemessageeffectively.Aftereachitem,themagicianexplainedthemessagetotheaudience.Eachitemwasdevelopedbasedonthethemeofwaterquality,domesticwastemanagement,sanitationplanning,waterbornediseases,riversofKerala,etc.
Spot games for the students: Thecompereaskedquestionsrelated to the theme of water to the students gathered at each location.Prizesweregiventocorrect answers.
Water testing lab and resource person interaction:Aresource
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personfromCCDUinteractedwiththecrowdfor10minutes.Ateachschool,around10watersampleswerecollectedand,usingthekit,qualitytestingwasdemonstratedtotheChemistryteacherandafew senior students. During this livedemonstration,theresourcepersonexplainedtheimportanceofconfirmingthequalityofwater.
Water quality testing kit and contest kit distribution: Eachschoolwashandedoverawaterqualitytestingkitafterthelivedemonstration on how to use it.Alongwiththis,acontestkitwasalsogiven.ThecontestannouncedbyCCDUwasareportpreparationcontestwhereintheschoolswereaskedtoprepareareportusingthewaterqualitytestingkitprovidedtotheschool.ThebestreportswouldbegivenprizemoneybytheGovernmentofKerala.
Pledge stickers and leaflet distribution: Anattractivestickerwithasimplemessageonthecampaignthemewasdistributedtotheschoolstudents.Alongwiththis,informativeleafletsweredistributedtotheaudience.
giant droplet mascot: Agiantdropletwasthemascotoftheroadshow.Popularlynamed‘GrandpaRaindrop,’themascotentertained the students with a dance.
Over50schoolsand20publicplaceshostedtheroadshowactivityaspartofthiscampaign.Schools with a headcount of
over2,000studentseachwereselected.Theprogramatpublicplaceswaswitnessedbyacrowdofspectatorsateachlocation.Theresponsefromtheschoolswastremendous. The road show was receivedwithlivelyenthusiasmbytheyoungstudents.Thekeeninterestshowedbytheattentiveaudience was encouraging for the organizers.Theschoolauthoritiesexpressedappreciationofthecontentandqualityofthe road show.
Attentionandinterestwassustainedbyhighprofilecrossmediacoverage.Malayala Manorama newspapercoveredtheroadshowatallvenuesintherespectivedistrictpageswithphotographs.ManoramaNewstelevisionchannelcoveredthe road show in the local news segmentcorrespondingtoeachlocation.RadioMangoFMstationfromtheManoramaGroupgaveradiojockeybytesannouncingthearrivaloftheroadshowtothelocality.TheManoramaOnlineportaldevelopedaspecialminisiteontheactivitiesanddocumentedthephotographsandvideosonaregularbasis.
Thekeyfactorbehindthesuccessofthiscampaignwasthe teamwork and the synergy thatcouldbeachievedoutofthispublicprivatepartnership.UNICEF’sassociationenhancedthecredibilityoftheproject.ManoramaGroupprovidedtheeventmanagementexpertiseand cross media editorial coveragefortheprogram.TheDepartmentofWaterResourcesprovidedtheresourcepersons–chemistsandengineersfromKeralaWaterAuthorityandCCDUforinteractingwith students and also the waterqualitytestingkitsandliteraturefordistribution.
Palathulli- Jalasureksha is a great exampleofasuccessfulmodelofpublicprivatepartnership.Theroleofthegovernmentinfacilitatingtheprogramandthe role of the media house in responsiblecommunicationwent hand in hand. The results achievedbysuchapartnership,investingineducatingtheyoungcitizensofthecountryandtriggeringabehaviouralchange,willbearfruitsandstandthetestof time.
Inputs by: dilip koshy, MalayalaManorama; dr. Suseel Samuel, WaterandSanitationSpecialist, and Vandana Mehra,CommunicationSpecialist,WaterandSanitationProgram,55,LodiEstate,NewDelhi
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Despitesizeableinvestmentsoverthe1980sand1990sintherural water and sanitation sector inMaharashtra,manycitizensstill remained without access to safeandadequatewaterandsanitation.Ontheotherhand,therewasafinancialcrisiswhereresources were limited and needs were many. This situation promptedtheGovernmentofMaharashtratoundertakegovernancereformsinthesectorintheyear2000.
MaharashtraislocatedinWesternIndiaandhasatotalpopulationofabout97millionasperthelastcensusof2001.Outofthis,56million(58percent)populationresidesinruraland41million(42percent)inurbanareas.Thestate has 35 districts. Two of thedistrictsareurban(Mumbai
TowardsaUniformApproachforDecentralized ServiceDeliveryLocation: Maharashtra
andMumbaisuburban)whilethe remaining 33 are rural. For administrativepurposes,thestateisdividedintosixrevenuedivisions.15Theruralpopulationresidesin24,000GPs,furthersub-dividedinto40,785villagesandaround45,500habitations.
TheGovernmentofMaharashtrarural water sector reforms includedtheimplementationofauniformapproachacrossthestate,irrespectiveofsourceoffunding,where:i)localgovernmentsledtheprocessofneedidentification,designs,executionandO&Minfullconsultationwithresidents; ii)VWSCsarethevehicletoassistlocalgovernmentsintheprocess;iii)thevillageshouldcontribute10percentofcapitalcostandagreetopayforall
O&Mcosts(includingpower)throughappropriateuserfees;iv)theDistrictgovernmentprovidestechnicalsupporttothevillagesandalsosupervisesqualityoftheprocessandworks;v)thecentralizedPHEDhasbeenrestructuredtoplayarole of technical consultants to villages;andvi)theintroductionofcompetitiverewardsbasedonperformanceindicatorsforthelocalgovernments.
Allthesereformsledtoadrasticshiftfromthetraditionaltop-downapproachtoabottom-upapproachacrossthestatewithappropriateinstitutionalstructurestosupporttheprocess.
The changes in roles and responsibilitiesbeforeandafterreformsareshowninTable9.
15 Konkan, Pune, Nashik, Aurangabad, Nagpur and Amravati
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Basedonthesereforms,theWorldBankfinancedaruralwaterandsanitationprojectinthestatefrom2002-09.Theprojecthas
vPost-reforms,*Pre-reforms
Table 9: changes in roles and responsibilities before and after reforms
ProjectCycleActivities Gram Block Zila PHED17
Panchayat16 Panchayat Panchayat Plan, design & execution of water supply infrastructure
Watersupplyneedsidentification v *Communitymobilization v Design of scheme v v v Singlevillage v *Multi-village v v *Contracting v *Funds routing v v *Supervisionduringconstruction Singlevillage v *Multi-village v *Waterqualitytesting v v v *
o&M responsibility
Singlevillage v *Multi-village v v *Watertarifffinalization
Invillagewaterdistribution v *Bulkwatersupply v *
Watertariffpaymentcollection Invillagewaterdistribution v v
Bulkwatersupply *
Monitoring and grievance redressal
CapacitybuildingofGPs v
Monitoring v v v *
beenimplementedinabout3,021villagesin26districtsacrossthestate,coveringabout8.9millionruralcitizens(1,162,606
households).Arecentlyconcludedreportofthisprojectindicatesthefollowingimprovementsduetotheapproach.
16 India has adopted a three tier decentralized rural governance structure and assigned different roles and responsibilities to the three tiers.The nature of the organizations and their roles vary from state to state. The GP is the lowest tier of elected government, the Block Panchayat is the second highest tier and the Zila Panchayat is the district level elected government. 17 The PHED is the state level centralized engineering unit that has been created in the 1970s in most states to design, execute and manage water supply schemes in both villages and cities.
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Table 10: Improvements due to the project
Indicator Baseline Current Situation-2002 Situation-2010
%ofGPswherewaterschemesarefullyfunctional N/A 2,294(wherewater andaredeliveringpotablewatertothehouseholds supply asperGovt.ofMaharashtracriteria18 commissioned)76%
%ofhouseholdsusingsanitationfacilities 19% 77% inprojectvillages (220,895) 898,351
%ofGPswhere100%ODFstatushasbeenachieved 0% 61% (1848)
No.ofGPswherefullcommunitycontributionfor 0 3,022 capitalhasbeenachieved
%ofGPsholdingaminimumof6GramSabhas19 0% 93%20 peryear,tomakedecisionsonplanning, (2,810) implementationandO&MofRWSS
%participationofwomenintheGramSabha 5% 53% meetings,acrossallGPs
Inputs by: J.V.R. Murty, WaterandSanitationProgram,55,LodiEstate,NewDelhi
18 To be reachable within 1.6 km distance, 30 m vertical distance19 Gram Sabha is village assembly to make decisions concerning village development or other local issues20 Last assessed in March 2008
key Lessons
• Decentralizationispartofthelargergovernancestructureandneedspoliticalcommitment,appropriatepolicyenvironmentandinstitutional structures
• Whiledecentralizing,itisimportanttodefinetherolesandresponsibilityofcentralizedinstitutions(likethePHEDs)andalsoundertakenecessary restructuring of the centralizedagency
• Whiledecentralizationisseenasgivingalargepartofthe
rolesandresponsibilitiestolowesttiersofgovernmentorcommunities,thereisaneedtodefinesupportfromhighertiersofgovernment
• Competitions,peer-learningaregoodapproachestocapacitybuildingoflocalgovernments
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ThepilotphaseoftheruralwatersupplyandsanitationprojectimplementedinUttarPradeshandUttarakhand(popularlyknownasSwajalProject)during1996-2003becameasectormodel in India. Demonstrated successoftheSwajalPilotProjectencouragedtheGovernmentofUttarakhandtoscaleitupforimprovedcoverageinthestate,adoptingasector-wideapproach.Thescaledupproject,nowcalledtheUttarakhandRuralWaterSupplyandSanitationProject(‘GlobalFirst’ruralwatersupplyandsanitationproject),isuniqueonseveralcounts.Conceptssuchasdecentralization,partnership,communitymanagement,effectivedemand,genderanalysisandcostrecoveryaredeeplyengrainedintheprojectprinciplesadheringtothe73rdconstitutional amendment of the IndianConstitution.
TheprojectcoverstheentireruralUttarakhandandisfacilitatedbytheDepartmentofDrinkingWater,GovernmentofUttarakhandandexecutedbythreeagenciesnamelyUttarakhandPeyjalNigam(UJN),UttarakhandJalSansthan(UJS)andProjectManagementUnit(Swajal).IDA-WorldBank,GovernmentofIndia,GovernmentofUttarakhandandruralbeneficiarycommunitiesjointlyfundtheproject.TheprojecthasatotalbudgetofUS$224millionof
UttarakhandRuralWaterSupplyandSanitationProject: AFlag-beareroftheSectorWideApproachLocation: uttarakhand
whichtheIDAcreditislimitedtoamaximumofUS$120million.TheprojectcommencedoperationsinNovember2006andwillconcludeinJune2012.
Thiscasestudyattemptsto:i)describetheprojectinbrief;ii)identifysomeuniquecharacteristicsoftheproject;iii)shareexperiencesandgoodpracticesundertheproject,includingtheirapplicabilityandefficacyinimprovingsustainableservicefortheruralcommunities;andiv)detaillessonslearntforbetterworkingandplanning with communities.
Thedeliveryofsustainableruralwatersupplyandsanitationserviceisanissueofconsiderableconcernamongpolicyplannersand water sector managers of the country. The case study is intended for managers and plannerswhoareconcernedwiththechallengingproblemofhowtodeliversustainablewatersupplyandsanitationservicesintheruralareas.Evidenceexiststosupportthefactthatsustainabledeliveryofwatersupplyandsanitationservicesencompassesnotonlytechnicalissues,butalsomanagerial,social,financialandinstitutional.
Thecurrentprojectdesignissuchthatitmovesawayfromthetarget-based,supply-drivenmodeltoademand-based
approachwhereusersgettheservicetheywantandarewillingtopayforitacrosstheruralareaofthestate,i.e.,acrossthesector.Thebasicprinciplesforreformintheruralwatersupplyandsanitationservicesectorincludecommunityparticipationintheplanning,implementation,O&Mfortheschemeofitschoice,and the changing role of the governmentfromthatofaserviceprovidertoafacilitator.
Theuniquefeaturesoftheprojecthavebenefited/arebenefitingruralcommunitiesinseveralways.Admittedly,thecultureofdependenceonoutsidersforabasicnecessitylikewatersupplyhasbeenconsiderablyreducedbytheempoweredUserWaterSupplyandSanitationCommittee(UWSSC)regardingquality,quantity,servicelevelandsystemreliabilityofthewatersupplyscheme.ThebenefitsaccruedtocommunitiesduetosustainableO&MofthewatersupplyschemebytheVWSCinclude:i)reductionincopingcostaswellasmoreavailabilityofhouseholdspacedue to elimination of storing waterinlargercontainers;ii)eliminationoftraveltimeandtravelcostinlodgingno-watercomplaints,makingpaymentofbills/gettingcorrectionsinwrongbillsandgettingsanctionofnewwaterconnection;iii)improvementinMeanTimeBetweenFailure(MTBF)due
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tobetterqualityofrepairsandstrictcontrol/supervisionbythecommunity;andiv),mostimportantly,reducedbureaucracy.
Water scarcity in hilly regions isamajorissuebeingfacedbythestate.Datafromexistingwatersupplyschemesindicatedthatnearly30percentoftheschemessufferedfromadecreaseintheavailabilityofwater,especiallyduringthesummermonths,becauseofdepletionofwater sources. This also caused someofthevillagerstospendconsiderableamountoftimecollecting water for domestic use,averagingonetothreehoursperday;evenmoretimeisspentinhillylocations.Theproblemwasaggravatedbywatersupplysystemswhichhadoutlivedtheirdesignlife,andinadequateO&M.
Itiswidelyrecognizedthatsupply-drivenruralwatersupplyandsanitationservicedeliverydoesnotadequatelyservetherequirementsofuser communities as they are often located at sites without consideration of community needsorpreference.Planningofruralwatersupplyandsanitationservicesalsotakesplacewithoutdueattentiontoresourceavailabilityorquality,and the schemes are rarely financiallyviable.Theendresultisagovernment-dominatedandtarget-drivenservicethathasbecomeunsustainable.
Thecurrentprojectsignificantlydiffersfrompreviouseffortstosupplywater.Thetenetsofthecurrentprojectinclude:i)
acommunity-ledparticipatoryprogramwhichaimedtoprovidedrinkingwaterfacilitiesin rural areas with minimum provisionof40lpcd;ii)adoptionofademand-responsive,adaptableapproachalongwithcommunityparticipationbasedonempowermentofvillagerstoensuretheirfullparticipationintheprojectthroughadecisionmaking role in the choice of the drinkingwaterscheme,planning,design,implementation,controloffinancesandmanagementarrangements;iii)fullownershipof drinking water assets with UWSSCs;(iv)communitieshavethepowerstoplan,implement,operate,maintainandmanageallwatersupplyandsanitationschemes;v)partialcapitalcostsharing either in cash or kind includinglabourorboth,100percentresponsibilityofO&Mbytheusers;vi)anintegratedservicedeliverymechanism;vii)takingupofconservationmeasuresthroughrainwaterharvestingandground water recharge systems for sustained drinking water supply;andviii)shiftingtheroleofgovernmentfromdirectservicedeliverytothatofplanning,policyformulation,monitoringandevaluation,andpartialfinancialsupport.
Theproject’sdevelopmentobjectiveistoimprovetheeffectivenessofruralwatersupplyandsanitationservicesthroughdecentralizationandincreasedroleofPRIsandinvolvementoflocal communities in the state. Theprojectisalsoaimedatbringingassociatedbenefits,includingimprovedhealthresulting from reduced water-
bornediseases,environmentalsustainabilitythroughprotectionand management of water sourcecatchmentareas,andtimesavingsinfetchingwater,especiallyforwomen.Theprojectenvisagesupgradingnoorpartialcoverageofwatersupplytofullcoveragewithsustainableservice,benefitingatleast1.2millionpeople,or20percentoftheruralpopulation.Theprojectwillalsoimprovesanitationinabout30percentofruralcommunities,tobedeclaredODF.
Recognizingtheneedforscalingupreforms,theGovernmentofUttarakhandissueditsruralwatersupplyandsanitationsectorpolicy.Thekeyelementsofthepolicyincluded:i)decentralizedservicedeliverythroughdevolutionofadministrative,executive, andfinancialpowerstothethree-tierPRIinstitutions; ii)establishmentoftheStateWaterandSanitationMission(SWSM)andDistrictWaterandSanitationMissions(DWSMs),tooverseethepolicyandplanningforthesector;andiii)adoptionofanintegratedapproachtoservicedelivery,linkingwatersupply,sanitation,healthandhygiene,catchment-areaconservation,andcommunity-developmentinitiatives.
Proactiveness of top political leadership and committed bureaucracy,willingnesstoimplementreformsattheseniorlevelandabroadconsensusofprioritiescreatedmomentumandlegitimacytodrivethesectorwideapproach(SWAp)program.TheprogressofSWAphasbeen
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madeanintegralpartofAnnualConfidentialReports.
Introduction of uniform computerized accounting system: Itwasrecognizedthatthetimelyreimbursementofprojectcostisdependentontimelypreparationoftheconsolidatedfinancialstatement.Therefore,acomputerizedaccountingsystemhavingan‘accountcodeclassificationsystem’wasoperationalizedinallimplementingagencyoffices.
Adequate change management: Appropriatechangemanagementeffortstoshiftthemindsetofthe sector institutions from serviceprovidertoafacilitatorwerewhole-heartedlytakenupbyengagingreputedtraininginstitutes.
Manuals suchasoperations,procurement,financialmanagement and technical for implementationoftheprojectwerepreparedandagreedwiththeWorldBankbeforeembarkingonactualimplementation.
Iec: Theprojectprintedbooklets,leaflets,andpostersthatprovidedmessagesontheproject,includinguseoftoilets,healthandhygieneaspects.Adocumentaryfilmdepictingdetailedprocesses
forimplementationoftheprojectwasprepared.
This case study does not highlight thecaseofaparticularwatersupplyschemebutdwellsonessentialfeaturesoftheprojectasa whole.
Theprojectisbeingexecutedbythreelineagencies:ProjectManagementUnitSwajal,UJSandUJN.SWSMandDWSMoverseetheactivitiesofthreelineagencies at the state and district level.Alldecisionsforplanning,design,implementationandmaintenancearedecentralizedatthedistrictandvillagelevel.ThevillageUWSSCundertheGPisfullyresponsiblefortheintra-villageschemedesign,procurement,implementationandmanagement.UJSandUJNareresponsibleforbulkwatersupplyundermulti-villageschemes.
Supportorganizationsarecontracted for community developmentandtechnicalsupporttotheUWSSCs.Theyarecontractedbythedistrictimplementingagency,basedonadistrictspecificshortlistofapplicants,asperprocurementguidelines.TheprojectmobilizeshouseholdsforgroupactionthroughtheUWSSC,asub-
committeeoftheGP.ThecompositionoftheUWSSCis interesting as rural women constitute30percent,withanequalnumberfromSCandSThouseholds.Communitieshaveshown tremendous interest and enthusiasm in shouldering responsibilities,includingprocurementandfinancialmanagementactivities.
ThetotalwatersectorinvestmentcommittedisUS$224millionfortheSWAp.PartnersfortheSWAppool(US$224million)includeGovernmentofIndia(31percent),GovernmentofUttarakhand(67percent);andtheUserCommunities(3percent) financialshare.TheIDAwillreimbursetheGovernmentofUttarakhandshareofSWApbasketuptoUS$120Million,againstanannuallyvaryingreimbursementpattern,agreedinthePAD.Thethreesub-componentsandpercentagesharebytheGovernmentofUttarakhandaregiveninTable11.
Thefollowingprojectcycleisfollowedfordetailedplanning,implementationandO&M:
Project cycle for single village schemes:Eachschemecycleincludesfourphases,includingpre-planning(twomonths),
Table 11: component-wise SWAp budget- share of the government of uttarakhand
SWApProgramComponents TotalBudget GoUshare %IDAReimbursement Million$ %
A RWSSDevelopment 5.02 5.02 100%B RWSSInfrastructureInvestments 196.78 103.40 53%C ProgramManagementSupportandM&E 22.09 11.60 52% Total 224.00 120.00 54%
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planning(threetosixmonths),implementation(sixto18months),andO&Mphase(fourmonths).Thedurationofeachphasedependsontheschemesize,technologytypeandthetimeittakestomobilizethecommunities.
(a) Pre-planning phase: Majoroutputsofthepre-planningphaseinclude:i)selectionofsupportorganizations;andii)collectionofbaselinedata;andiii)selectionofGP/habitation.SincetheGPisnotahomogenousunit,mostoftheinformationiscollectedfromeachhabitationoftheGPtounderstandtheaccessofdifferentsocio-economicgroupstowaterandsanitationfacilities.
(b) Planning phase: This phaseincludes:i)mobilizationofcommunities,participatoryplanning,anduseofSARARtools,probleminvestigation,analysisandsolving;ii)formationofUWSSC;iii)selectionofwatersupplyandsanitationtechnologybytheusersincommunity-widemeetings;iv)capacitybuildingoncommunitydevelopment,health,feasibilityanddesignofwatersupplyschemes,catchmentareaprotection,accounting,etc.,forsupportorganization/GP/UWSSCsmembers;v)preparationofdetailedprojectreportsandcommunityactionplanforeachUWSSC;vi)collectingupfrontcashandO&Mcommunitycontributionforwatersupply,sanitation,andcatchmentareaprotectionworks;andvii)involvementofwomenandmarginalizedsectionsof
communityintheentireplanningphase.
(c) Implementation phase: The outputsofthisphaseinclude:i)preparationofimplementationphaseproposal,constructionofwatersupplyschemes,environmentalsanitationworksandcatchmentareaprotectionworksbyGP/UWSSCthroughcommunity engineers contracted outbyDistrictImplementingAgency(DIA);ii)independentthirdpartyconstructionsupervisionbytheServiceAgencyand facilitation and monitoring byDIA,contractedoutbySWSM;iii)collectingbalancecash/labourandO&Mcommunitycontributionforwatersupply,sanitation,andcatchmentareaprotectionworks;iv)trainingoncommunitydevelopment,health,women’sdevelopmentinitiatives,bookkeeping,O&M(technical,institutional,financial),etc.,forGP/UWSSCmembers;andv)preparationoftheimplementationphasecompletionreports.
(d) o&M phase: DIAprovidestechnical assistance to the UWSSCsaftercommissioningofthewatersupplyschemestoplacetheO&Msysteminorder.TrainingattheGP/UWSSClevelisconductedbyDIA.TheO&Msystemcomprisesthetechnical,financial,andtheinstitutionalsystems.AfterestablishingO&Msystemandcompletingalltheactivitiesstipulatedintheagreement,theDIAformallyexitsfromtheGP.Thereafter,thescheme’s maintenance continues tobecarriedoutbytheUWSSC.
However,thesectoragenciescontinuetomonitorandsupporttheGPsonO&Missues,includinglargerepairs,whichcannotbeundertakenattheGPlevel.
Support organizations and Service Agencies
NGOsandcommunity-basedorganizationsareinvolvedinthesectorprogramasalinkbetweenthebeneficiarycommunitiesandthedistrictimplementingagencies.Actingascatalystsintheprocess,theyareinvolvedintheschemecycleactivitiesinmotivatingandmobilizingthecommunitiesandbuildingtheircapacitiestowardstheirenvisagedrolesandresponsibilitiesinthemanagement of their water and sanitation schemes.
Thechallengesfortheprojectweretodevelopasystemwhichembodiesthephilosophyofthedemand-responsiveapproach,andprovidesanalternativetosupply-drivenservicedeliverymechanism. The challenges fortheimplementingagencywere to act as a facilitator andco-financer(toprovideassistanceatappropriatetimeandensurecapitalcostsharingbythecommunity),asamonitor(processandprogress)andasanagency to ensure the standards ofconstruction,accountsandcommunitydevelopmentactivities.
Theinnovationsandinterventionsatvariouslevelsarediscussedinfollowingparagraphs.Appropriatechangemanagement
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effortstoshiftthemindsetofthesectorinstitutionsfromserviceprovidertofacilitatorwerewhole-heartedlytakenupbyengagingreputedtraininginstitutes.StepshadtobeinitiatedforfocusingonO&Maspectsforthesustainabilityof schemes in addition to the trainingprogramsonthedesignandimplementationofruralwater and sanitation schemes. Howandwheretointeractwithdistrictlevelformalinstitutionshadtobefocusedonduringcapacitybuildinginordertocovertheeventualitiesofmajorrepairworks.TheProjectAppraisalDocumentandOperationsManualprovidethattheSWApprinciplesbefollowedforallnewinvestments.Itwasrecognizedthatin‘exceptionalsituations’theprinciplesof‘demand’responsivecommunityparticipationmaynotbepractical.Examplesofsuchexceptionalsituationsinclude:damagesduetonaturalcalamities,damagesduetoroadconstructionactivities,watersupplyschemesfortouristsenroutepilgrimagesites;andemergenciessuchasfloods,drought,epidemics,etc.ThepolicyexceptionsweresoughtfromtheWorldBank.
TheSixthImplementationSupportMission,April,2010,
Table 12: World Bank project rating India,UttaranchalRWSS(ProjectID:P083187;Loan/CreditNo.:42320
KeyProjectData CurrentRatingsandFlags
EffectivenessDate 11/30/2006 DevelopmentObjectives SatisfactoryClosingDate 06/30/2012 ImplementationProgress ModeratelySatisfactoryProjectAge 3.4years ProblemFlags None%Disbursed 21
oftheWorldBankinitsAide-MemoirehasgiventheprojectratingshowninTable12.
Theprojectisbeingimplementedbyfollowinguniformpoliciesand institutional arrangements across the state. Schemes covering more than 1,800 habitations have already laid a solid foundation for the SWAp program in Uttarakhand. Thedecentralizedinstitutionalarrangements,processesandproceduresareestablishedandfullyoperationalinallthe13districts.TheGPsthroughUWSSCsarefullyresponsibleforSingleVillageScheme(SVS)andintra-villageMultiVillageScheme(MVS).ThesectorinstitutionsareresponsibleforbulkwatersupplyundertheMVS.Thewatersupplyschemesare integrated with catchment areaprograms,householdandvillageenvironmentalsanitationprograms,solidwastemanagement and health and hygieneawarenesspromotionprograms,inordertomaximizewatersupplyandhealthbenefitstothecommunities.Comparedtothepre-projecthouseholdcoverageofsanitarylatrinesat21percent,theexistingprojectcoveragehasgoneupto71percent,adifferenceof50percentachievementasa
resultoftheprojecteffortsandtheGovernmentofIndiaTotalSanitationCampaign.TheNGPforcleanvillageshasbeenreceivedby25percentGPs(418GPs)againstthetargetof15percentGPs.
Whileindependentmonitoringandsocialauditsarein-builtintheprojectdesign,theimplementingagencieshavestartedsigning-off,providingqualityassuranceforthecompletedschemes.Also,continuoussupervisionhasbeenintroducedduringtheO&MstagetoensuretechnicalandfinancialsupporttotheGPs.
The district schedule of rates for variousengineeringitems/works/materials(localandnonlocal)arejointlypreparedbyallthethreeimplementingagencies,basedontheexistinganalysisofratesandareapprovedbytheDWSM.Thisscheduleofratesisupdatedonayearlybasisorasand when needed. Thus there is a single set of schedule of rates for each district and for all the implementingagencies.
Thecultureofdependenceonoutsidersforabasicnecessitylikewater is showing a diminishing trendleadingtoapositiveindicationofGramSwarajya
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(villageselfrule),inotherwords,‘communityprideandcommunitycontrol’.Robustmonitoringisfollowedtomonitorprocesses,inputs,outputsandoutcomes,including indicators of change undertheproject.Governanceandaccountabilitymeasureshavebeenadoptedasanintegralpartoftheprojectdesignandimplementation.TheSwajalProjectManagementUnithasconsecutivelyreceivedtheRighttoInformation(RTI)award2009and2010fortransparencyandgoodgovernancepractices,whichincludeindependentqualitychecks,communitymonitoring,grievanceredressalmeasures,socialaudits,robustmonitoringandevaluation,andsector-wideinformationsystem,for information disclosure and trackingprogressoftheschemesinallphasesoftheproject.
capacity building of all stakeholders:Capacitybuildingof all stakeholders was essential foreffectiveandefficientimplementationoftheproject.Therefore,acomprehensivecapacitybuildingplanwasdevelopedandincludeddetailedandprogrammedtrainingmodulesfor:i)SWSMandProgramManagementUnit;ii)DWSMsandDistrictProgramManagementUnits;iii)changemanagement and community-developmentskillsforsectorinstitutions;iv)generaltrainingactivitiesforPRIs;andv)trainingofsupportorganizationsandsupportagencies.Specialtrainingprogramshavebeendevelopedandimplementedthrough the local training
institutionstosensitizethestate,districtandvillagestakeholdersand functionaries regarding theproject.TheseprogramsincludemodulesonplanningandimplementationofSVSandMVS,environmentalandsanitation hygiene awareness programsandpractices,financialandprocurementmanagementpractices,etc.
Iec: Theprojecthasprintedbooklets,leafletsandpostersthatprovidemessagesontheproject,includinghealthandhygiene,TotalSanitationCampaign,technologyoptionsforsanitation,useoftoilets,goodpracticecasestudies,informaleducation,alongwithrolesandresponsibilitiesatthestate,districtandvillagelevels.IECactivities,mainlytopromotethedecentralizationagendaandSWApprogram,havebeencarriedoutthroughworkshops,cross-visits,competitions,IECstalls,televisionprograms,etc.Acoupleofshortdocumentaryfilmshavebeenpreparedonthegoodpracticescurrentlybeingimplementedundertheproject.
governance and accountability processes adopted: Independentreviewsareanintegralpartoftheprojectprocesses,includingconcurrentmonitoring during the scheme planningphase,thirdpartyconstructionqualitychecks,technicalaudits,socialauditsandgrievanceredressalmeasures during the scheme implementationphase.Theprojectclearlydefinestherolesandresponsibilitiesofthe
beneficiarycommunitiesandcommunity-basedorganizations,NGOs,independentreviewers,PRIs,SWSMandtheimplementingagencies.
PRI and community mobilization: Theprojecthasmadeacommendableeffortinidentifying,prioritizingandselectingGPs/villages/habitationsforintervention.Subsequently,households in the selected habitationshavebeenmobilizedintoUWSSCs,sub-committeesoftheGP,whichhaveprovedtobeaneffectivevehicleofcommunityparticipation.Thesupportorganizationshavecontributedsignificantlytowardsmobilizingaswellascapacitatingthelocalcommunities.Usersurveysconfirmfullacceptanceandsatisfactionbythecommunitiesforwatersupplyandsanitationschemesimplementedundertheproject.Sinceitwasrecognizedthatthesupportorganizationswouldplaythekeyroleinachievingeffectivecommunityparticipation,effortsweremade to ensure that they would beselectedandtrainedinanappropriatemanner.
Social audit committee: This committee is constituted in each watersupplyscheme.TheSocialAuditCommitteeperformsthefollowingfunctions:i)ensuresthat all the committees follow the ProcurementManual;ii)reportsanyviolationordeviationofrulestoGP;iii)monitorstheadherenceofprojectprinciplesandrulesinselectionofbeneficiaries,implementationofsubprojectsandalldecisionsofUWSSC.
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grievance redressel mechanism: Theprojectprovidesforcompletedecentralizationinthepre-planning,planning,procurement,constructionandO&MofwatersupplyschemesatgrassrootlevelswheredecisionsaretakenbytheconcernedUWSSCwithassistanceoftheGPandfacilitationbythesupportorganizationandDIA.
grievance redressal at uWSSc level: Onreceiptofagrievance,theUWSSCconvenesacommunity wide meeting and it is putupbeforethemembersoftheUWSSCandthecommunity.ThisprocessisfacilitatedbyDIAandtherepresentativesofthesupportorganizationandtheGP.Itisnoteworthy to mention here that 146outoftotal154grievancesrelatingtovariouscategoriesare already attended to the satisfactionofthecomplainantsincetheinceptionoftheproject.
Allstepsarebeingtakenduringdesign,implementationandmaintenance stages to ensure sustainabilityofschemes.Theprojectiscurrentlyon-goingandaperiodicreviewwillbecarriedouttomonitorsustainability.TheprojecthasdesignedaSustainabilityEvaluationExercisetoassessthesustainabilityofcompletedschemes which are more than one year old. The Indian Institute
ofPublicAdministrationhasbeenengagedtoconducttheindependentstudyonsustainabilityperspectives.ThestudywouldbecompletedbyMarch2011.
Thisprojecthasbeenatrendsetterintheruralwatersupplyandsanitationsectorforadoptingasectorwideapproach.Theeffectiveandefficientfunctioningofimplementingagencieshasreinforcedthehypothesisthatproperorientationandtraining,amixofskills,experienceandgender can work in tandem to achievepositiveresults.Ithasbeenprovedthatthepartnershipbetweenvillagecommunities,NGOsandthegovernment,wherethegovernmenttakestheroleoffacilitationandco-financing,has worked successfully. The projecthasdemonstratedthat the communities can efficientlyandeffectivelyhandledisputeresolutions,materialprocurement,financialtransactions and record/bookkeepinginasatisfactorymanner,whenproperlytrained.Catchmentareaprotectionworksandwatersupplyschemeconstructionworksshouldbeimplementedsimultaneouslysothatthesustainabilityofthetappedwatersourcecanbemonitoredduringtheprojectperioditself.
Theprojecthaslargelydemonstrated that as long as a demand-responsiveapproachisadopted,communitiesarewillingtocontributetowardscapitalcostandplan,implement,operateandmaintain their own schemes. The projecthasdemonstratedthatanalternativedeliverysystemvis-à-visthepresenttopdowngovernment-dominatedsystemisnotonlydesirablebutalsofeasibleinthesector.ThecapacityofthecommunitiesandtheNGOshasbeenupgradedtosuchadegree that the methodology oftheprojectcanbesuccessfullycarriedovertootherdevelopmentareas.Agenderbalanceapproachisimportanttoensurethatbothwomenandmenhavethesameopportunitiestoinfluenceandcontrolthenewservicesandsharetheirbenefits.Observationstudytoursandexposurevisitshavebeenfoundtobeaneffectivetool in creating necessary awareness and in changing the mindsetofpolicymakers.Thepossibilityofmisappropriatingand misusing the funds is minimal iftransparencyateachstageis adhered to and monitored. Irrespectiveofthesourceoffunding,thereshouldbeauniformpolicyregardingcapitalcostsharingaswellasO&M.Otherwisethecurrentsystemsareunsustainable.
Inputs by: kapil Lall, Director,ProjectManagementUnit,UttarakhandRuralWaterSupply&SanitationProject,MussorieDiversionRoad,Makkawala,Dehradun.
0135-2733455,0135-273380E-mail:[email protected]
Notes
Notes
Notes
Water and Sanitation ProgramThe World Bank55 Lodi Estate, New Delhi 110 003, IndiaPhone: (91-11) 24690488, 24690489Fax: (91-11) 24628250E-mail: [email protected] site: www.wsp.org
Ministry of Rural DevelopmentDepartment of Drinking Water and Sanitation9th Floor, Paryavaran BhawanCGO Complex, Lodi RoadNew Delhi 110003, IndiaPhone: (91-11) 24362705Fax: (91-11) 24361062E-mail: [email protected] site: www.ddws.nic.in/
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