Water security

Taking up tank rehabilitation, introduction of rooftop rain water harvesting, water treatment and eco-sanitation

forwater — Fri, 06 Jan 2023 10:35:15 +0000

Taking up tank rehabilitation, introduction of rooftop rain water harvesting, water treatment and eco-sanitation forwater Fri, 01/06/2023 - 16:05

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Chittoor, an arid district in Andhra Pradesh, faces seasonal drought. This causes acute water scarcity, leading to very low drinking water availability. Dhan Vayalagam foundation has focuses on developing and renovating traditional water harvesting structures as an effective way to collect rainwater and recharge groundwater, and helps people access water through the summer months. This was done through:

Building Social capital: To establish sustainable local management by building different user groups called Vayalagams and networking them towards water conservation.

Conservation and development of tanks in cascade: Rehabilitation of traditional tanks in a cascade approach to enhance the availability of water for agriculture, livestock, domestic and other uses.

Agricultural development: Introduction of effective water management practices, improved crop yields; and establishing marketing linkages.

Promotion of simple technologies such as rainwater harvesting , biosand filters (to improve water quality) and

Hygiene promotion – demonstration of Ecosan units and hygiene promotion.

Outputs

Around 6 village tanks renovated and rehabilitated. This included:
- De-siltation of feeder channel to improve the inflow of water into the tanks.
- De-siltation of tank beds which created additional water storage capacity of about 13,066 Cu Mts (13.07 Million Lts).
- Tank silt application to crop fields contributed towards enhancing the soil fertility and in reducing the use of chemical fertilizers.
Improved water holding capacity of the tanks and enabled fish rearing activities in these tanks.
Tank rehabilitation significantly contributed to groundwater recharge.
Rooftop rainwater harvesting made a viable option for household water security, with six households adopting this technology.
Over 15 Biosand filters introduced to provide safe water.
Over 12 Ecosan toilets were demonstrated.
Through various development schemes of the government, approximately Rs. 65 lakh was leveraged

Focus Area

Water security

State

Andhra Pradesh

Implementing Partner

Development of Humane Action (DHAN) Vayalagam (Tank) Foundation

Outreach

490

Duration

Tue, 01/01/2008 - 12:00 - Fri, 01/01/2010 - 12:00

Path Alias

/our-works/taking-tank-rehabilitation-introduction-rooftop-rain-water-harvesting-water-treatment-and

Reviving traditional water harvesting structures and river revival in Rajasthan (phase 1)

forwater — Tue, 03 Jan 2023 09:35:07 +0000

Reviving traditional water harvesting structures and river revival in Rajasthan (phase 1) forwater Tue, 01/03/2023 - 15:05

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Scanty rainfall coupled with a lack of groundwater often leads to acute water scarcity in parts of Western Rajasthan. Anchored by village level institutions, Sambhaav has begun reviving traditional water harvesting systems which had benefited the local communities in the area.

One of the biggest successes of this project has been the development of community leaders and a sense of ownership over their own assets and water management. The project has helped reduce distress migration and improved the quality of life of women, who previously used to spend several hours in a day travelling long distances for availing drinking water.

Outputs

A successful Information, Education, Communication (IEC) component ensured that the people came forward to contribute Rs. 9 lakhs towards the project activities.
Work on revival of traditional water harvesting systems was done in 30 villages.
- Around 9 traditional rainwater harvesting structures revived.
- Over 40 Open wells constructed.
- Around 5 Groundwater recharge structures built.
- Around 3 farm ponds constructed.

Focus Area

Water security

State

Rajasthan

Implementing Partner

Sambhaav

Outreach

2600

Duration

Sun, 01/01/2006 - 12:00 - Tue, 01/01/2008 - 12:00

Path Alias

/our-works/reviving-traditional-water-harvesting-structures-and-river-revival-rajasthan-phase-1-0

Reviving traditional water harvesting structures and river revival in Rajasthan (phase 1)

forwater — Tue, 03 Jan 2023 09:35:07 +0000

Reviving traditional water harvesting structures and river revival in Rajasthan (phase 1) forwater Tue, 01/03/2023 - 15:05

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Outputs

A successful Information, Education, Communication (IEC) component ensured that the people came forward to contribute Rs. 9 lakhs towards the project activities.
Work on revival of traditional water harvesting systems was done in 30 villages.
- Around 9 traditional rainwater harvesting structures revived.
- Over 40 Open wells constructed.
- Around 5 Groundwater recharge structures built.
- Around 3 farm ponds constructed.

Focus Area

Water security

State

Rajasthan

Implementing Partner

Sambhaav

Outreach

2600

Duration

Sun, 01/01/2006 - 12:00 - Tue, 01/01/2008 - 12:00

Path Alias

/our-works/reviving-traditional-water-harvesting-structures-and-river-revival-rajasthan-phase-1

Integrated domestic water management in H.D. Kote district

forwater — Tue, 03 Jan 2023 09:31:43 +0000

Integrated domestic water management in H.D. Kote district forwater Tue, 01/03/2023 - 15:01

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Two villages in Karnataka were selected to be developed as models for domestic water management. The project ensured integrated domestic water management, including access to piped metered water, sanitation and ensured sustainability at the source. Wastewater management through drains, soak pits and kitchen gardens was done to ensure safe disposal of waste water. EcoSan was established as an option for sanitation tried at certain scale in the project. Conjunctive water use was promoted through rooftop rainwater harvesting. Village level institutions were also strengthened through training and support.

Outputs

Baseline studies, hydrological mapping and water quality testing were carried out.
Awareness building workshops, exposure visit and training for community and local govt. was given.
Around three Water User Groups were formed.
Water hardware was created partly through leveraging money, over Rs. 8 lakhs from community contributions and around 18 lakhs from government schemes.
Rainwater harvesting:
- Over 80 household rooftop rainwater harvesting structures were built.
- Around 3 schools rooftop rainwater harvesting structures were constructed.
One Bore well was dug to provide water.
Piped water system was put in place through which over 370 household water connections were installed.
Sanitation measures taken
- Over 140 families were motivated to construct double pit toilets.
- Over 165 families were motivated to construct EcoSan toilets.
- Around 200 families were motivated to construct soak pits.

Focus Area

Water security

State

Karnataka

Implementing Partner

MYKAPS

Outreach

2100

Duration

Sun, 01/01/2006 - 12:00 - Sat, 01/01/2011 - 12:00

Path Alias

/our-works/integrated-domestic-water-management-hd-kote-district

Rainwater harvesting and water body restoration in Bodhgaya block, Gaya district

forwater — Tue, 03 Jan 2023 09:26:53 +0000

Rainwater harvesting and water body restoration in Bodhgaya block, Gaya district forwater Tue, 01/03/2023 - 14:56

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Depleting groundwater levels in the Gaya district were putting high stress on the agriculture-dependent communities of the region. Through the use of rainwater harvesting technologies, over the two phases of the project, Arghyam supported DISHA in reducing the vulnerability of these communities to droughts. The burden on women who previously travelled long distances to fetch water was reduced significantly by providing them easy access to water. Schools also became self-sufficient with access to harvested rainwater. Workshops conducted for members of the gram panchayat resulted in an increased awareness about rainwater and the role the community and local government play in its conservation.

Outputs

Over the two phases of the project:

Around 40 empowered Gram Panchayat members understood the importance of rainwater and their role in water conservation through a workshop organized by Disha.
Rainwater harvesting was undertaken in project villages:
- Around 250 households spread across 5 villages became water secure. In around 8 schools, rainwater harvesting with underground tanks of 50,000 litres capacity were constructed and managed by School committee
Around twelve traditional rainwater harvesting structures were repaired and revived, resulting in water sufficiency.

Focus Area

Water security

State

Bihar

Implementing Partner

DISHA

Outreach

2500

Duration

Sun, 01/01/2006 - 12:00 - Tue, 01/01/2008 - 12:00

Path Alias

/our-works/rainwater-harvesting-and-water-body-restoration-bodhgaya-block-gaya-district

Neeru-Aarogyam (Phase I)

forwater — Tue, 03 Jan 2023 08:46:55 +0000

Neeru-Aarogyam (Phase I) forwater Tue, 01/03/2023 - 14:16

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In 2009, Vishaka Jilla Nava Nirmana Samiti (VJNNS) took up an initiative in six villages inhabited by landless people. These villages have poor or no access to basic infrastructure facilities like electricity and the government’s water supply systems have failed to work because of improper site selection, poor ground water quality (rich in iron content), poor quality of construction and equipment used. Given these problems, the systems fell into disuse soon after they were constructed leaving the villagers with no option but to travel to remotely located springs to obtain water for domestic use. Even this was not a solution because the water was murky. VJNNS partnered with the community to establish Gravity Flow Water Supply System (GFWS) in these villages to provide sustainable, safe water supply.

Waste water management and sanitation models were introduced and robust mechanisms for community participation were evolved to ensure operation and maintenance of the systems. Structured water quality data and information on water related issues, specific to eastern hilly part of Vishakhapatnam, was disseminated through the India Water Portal. Through this effort, the villages were able to access 24 X 7 water supply.

Outputs

Water quality testing and baseline studies were conducted.
Awareness building workshops and community training was given on aspects of setting up and maintaining water supply systems, water quality, hygiene management etc.
Over 2 lakh leveraged from beneficiary contribution for labour expenses towards construction of the GFWS.
Around 5 mini-water supply projects constructed and 10 mini water supply projects revived.
These systems are properly designed with filter units and provide 24 x 7 water supply.
One bathroom cum toilet constructed as a model which led to adoption of household sanitation including toilets by at least 10% households.
Three community toilets were constructed.

Focus Area

Water security

State

Andhra Pradesh

Implementing Partner

Visakha Jilla Nava Nirmana Samithi (VJNNS)

Outreach

2800

Duration

Thu, 01/01/2009 - 12:00 - Sat, 01/01/2011 - 12:00

Path Alias

/our-works/neeru-aarogyam-phase-i

Munda development project

forwater — Tue, 03 Jan 2023 08:40:55 +0000

Munda development project forwater Tue, 01/03/2023 - 14:10

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This project was an initiative conceived by students from the National Institute of Technology-Karnataka, who started a group called Sparsh in collaboration with Gajani Foundation. The project sought to ensure water security in a coastal village with high saline intrusion. Arghyam‘s role in this project partnership was to promote community rainwater harvesting so as to provide potable water to the people.

Outputs

Around 5 community rainwater harvesting structures were built.
Over Rs. 5 lakh was leveraged from multiple sources

Focus Area

Water security

State

Karnataka

Implementing Partner

Gajani Foundation

Outreach

100

Duration

Fri, 01/01/2010 - 12:00 - Sat, 01/01/2011 - 12:00

Path Alias

/our-works/munda-development-project

School rainwater harvesting

forwater — Tue, 03 Jan 2023 08:36:50 +0000

School rainwater harvesting forwater Tue, 01/03/2023 - 14:06

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The Supreme Court ordered that across states, all schools must be provided with toilets and drinking water facilities as part of students’ Right to Education. Arghyam considers sustainable access to safe drinking water an important issue and has promoted it across Karnataka.

This has been done through several methods:

Tackled specific issues of water quantity and quality in schools.
Worked alongside a government scheme (Suvarna Jala) to demonstrate successful methods of participatory, safe and adequate water and sanitation provision in schools.
Supported independent requests from schools for funding rainwater harvesting structures to assist them in providing their students with potable water. To help combat scarcity of safe drinking water a number of measures were undertaken across these five schools. Worked with another funding agency that works on education to build safe water and sanitation into the schools they work in.
In all these initiatives, rainwater harvesting systems were created, an underground storage tank was constructed and children were given hygiene education. Where required, water quality issues were addressed by providing water filters.

Outputs

All schools have been made water secure.
Safe drinking water has been made available.
Quality issues, wherever present, were tackled.
Children provided hygiene education. Several student committees set up with tasks designed to give the children a sense of ownership over the water and sanitation systems.
Governance system put in place to ensure students have more ability to manage the water systems. A School Development and Management Committee SDMC was set up as part of the Suvarna Jala programme with members of the schools who were equipped with necessary knowledge and skills to carry on the project independently.

Focus Area

Water security

State

Karnataka

Implementing Partner

Centre for Study of Culture and Society (CSCS)

Outreach

Path Alias

/our-works/school-rainwater-harvesting

Improving agricultural livelihoods of marginalised tribal households of two blocks of Ratlam district, Madhya Pradesh, through sustainable groundwater management

forwater — Tue, 03 Jan 2023 08:30:22 +0000

Improving agricultural livelihoods of marginalised tribal households of two blocks of Ratlam district, Madhya Pradesh, through sustainable groundwater management forwater Tue, 01/03/2023 - 14:00

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High propensity to drought and rapid soil erosion triggered by high intensity rainfall and high wind speeds leads to sub-optimal storage of water in the Ratlam district. Through the use of watershed interventions the project was able to improve sub-surface water availability. The project also assessed utilisation potential and set up dug wells on the basis of hydro geological understanding. While keeping drinking water security as its non-negotiable focus, the interventions also helped improve agricultural productivity through sustainable groundwater management and transfer of knowledge on appropriate agricultural practices. These outcomes led to a drop in distress migration and increased drinking water and livelihood security.

Outputs

Water security plans were made based on hydrological mapping.
Community training and awareness building workshops were conducted.
People were taken on exposure visits to observe/ gain an understanding on for farmers in improved agronomic practices.
Water Users Groups were formed for regulating water use and ensuring sustainable management.
Rainwater harvesting structures were set up
- Around 10 community rainwater harvesting structures were built.
- Around two rainwater harvesting structures such as recharge pits and dug wells were revived.
More than 150 open wells were constructed.
More than 15 dug wells were constructed based on the location of the proper sites for new dug wells and the selection of old dug wells for renovation, based on the geo-hydrological evaluation.
More than 15 hand pumps were installed to help improve access to drinking water.
Around 7 farm ponds were constructed.
Around 15 families were motivated to construct single pit toilets and more than five families were motivated to construct double pit toilets.
More than a 100 families were motivated to construct kitchen gardens.

Focus Area

Water security

State

Madhya Pradesh

Implementing Partner

Action For Social Advancement

Outreach

250

Duration

Thu, 01/01/2009 - 12:00 - Sun, 01/01/2012 - 12:00

Path Alias

/our-works/improving-agricultural-livelihoods-marginalised-tribal-households-two-blocks-ratlam

Integrated domestic water management in Maharashtra

forwater — Tue, 03 Jan 2023 06:20:56 +0000

Integrated domestic water management in Maharashtra forwater Tue, 01/03/2023 - 11:50

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One third of the state of Maharashtra is drought prone as it falls in the rain shadow belt and receives erratic showers. The project examined ways to enhance implementation of drinking water and sanitation projects to create an Integrated Domestic Water Management (IDWM) model for replication in villages prone to water scarcity. Watershed Organisation Trust (WOTR) worked on an integrated watersheds approach in the villages, which was useful in strengthening and protecting the water source. All community members now have access to water sources with a reported increase in water levels and availability through the year. Since the meter system has been introduced and water tariffs fixed with the involvement of the people, there is complete recovery of operation and maintenance costs. Awareness about hygiene practices and water budgeting has gone up. Water supply to all schools in the project area has also been secured and the students have been made aware of, and also practice good hygiene behavior.

Outputs

Through the use of IEC material and workshops awareness was generated on health and hygiene.
Training on water budgeting was given to project villages.
Fixed the defunct government piped water supply systems with improved systems for equitable water distribution and use.
Borewell recharging was done for over 15 borewells.
Recovery of Operations and Maintenance Costs through tariff collection.
The project has leveraged over Rs. 150 lakh, for provision of drinking water and construction of latrines, from Bharat Nirman and Total Sanitation Campaign. Over 380 families were motivated to construct toilets and around 5 families were motivated to construct Ecosan toilets.
Over 280 soak-pits and 320 kitchen gardens were constructed.

Focus Area

Water security

State

Maharashtra

Implementing Partner

Watershed Organisation Trust (WOTR)

Outreach

4100

Duration

Tue, 01/01/2008 - 12:00 - Sat, 01/01/2011 - 12:00

Path Alias

/our-works/integrated-domestic-water-management-maharashtra