| FAQ's -
Water Management
1.
What is the water situation in Mewat district?
The district faces a serious water crisis; potable/sweet water is available only in a few pockets and the average rainfall in the region is 507 mm. Groundwater is the only source of water in the region, add to this the over exploitation of groundwater, ecological degradation which affects groundwater re-charging, inadequate drinking water supply and the absence of any water harvesting structures, the situation is indeed severe.
2. What is the Foundation’s approach to water management in Mewat?
The Foundation follows an integrated approach to check the depleting ground water level in the district, by creating awareness about the importance of conserving water on both the agriculture and domestic fronts and setting up recharging mechanisms. Typical methods employed in rural water management include: |
- Contour trenches and bunds
- Gully plugs
- Check dams
- Reviving traditional ponds
- Recharging wells
- Soak pits
- Rainwater harvesting structures etc.
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| Besides, making provisions for safe drinking water in its model villages, the Foundation is also working on safe disposal of domestic waste water. |
3. What is the Foundation doing to make the community ‘water-consciousness’?
From time to time the Foundation undertakes water literacy campaigns in the villages. The campaign is basically to educate and inform school children and the village community about the importance of conserving water and protecting the environment. It is carried out in all our village schools. We inform them through IEC (Information, Education and Communication) aids, charts, stories, slogans and at the end of the campaign we conduct debates and drawing competitions.
4. How does the Foundation ensure the sustainability of its water conservation projects?
Right from inception to completion all the water management projects are carried out with the community participation. The decision making process involves the community to ensure a high degree of commitment to the project. On completion, the structures are handed over to the community, with their commitment to maintain and operate them on their own. In addition, the Foundation also forms water user groups/beneficiaries, who are responsible for the maintenance and operation of these structures.
5. What is the Foundation doing to eliminate biological contamination in drinking water?
The Foundation has recently introduced bio-sand filters in the villages. It is being actively promoted because the sand filter is a cost-effective method of eliminating biological contamination by 99.5% and chemical contamination to a certain degree. These filters require no energy or maintenance, and can be placed anywhere in the house. The approximate cost of a single bio-sand filter unit is Rs. 800.
6. What is the condition of drinking water supply in the villages?
In most of the villages the main source of drinking water is the public water supply, however, it is extremely unreliable due to irregular supply and, leakages in the distribution system lead to biological contamination and outbreak of water borne diseases.
To improve the situation, the Foundation began a tap campaign two years ago in Ghaghas. The objective was to replace open public water outlets with a stand post, including a waste water disposal soak pit. The stand post’s well-thought design and controlling device’s securely sealed joints eliminate biological contamination in the distribution system and reduces wastage. This has also resulted in households located at a height to get water, since enough pressure is built up to reach these houses.
7. What is the Foundation doing to ensure that fetching water from hand pumps is a safe and hygienic activity?
Collecting water from hand pumps in Indian villages can be a messy affair, since the slush surrounding the pump can make movement difficult. Besides, the slush is also home to bacteria and other pathogens which make their way into the groundwater, thus leading to outbreak of water borne diseases. The Foundation therefore decided to improve the design of the hand pumps by constructing a concrete platform surrounded by gravel and a soak pit to divert the excess water and to ensure that there is no standing water. Hand pumps are installed with 25% contribution from the community. The cost of a hand pump varies from Rs. 15,000 to 25,000.
8. Why is roof water harvesting important?
The Foundation has built roof water harvesting structures on school buildings, mosques and community centres. The purpose of these structures is to create awareness and sensitize the school children as well as the village community about the need to save water. The cost of a single structure is between Rs. 10,000 to 20,000.
The results in a few villages have been encouraging, because of the dilution that takes place saline water has now turned into potable water.
9. What are recharge wells and what is the cost of building one or reviving an abandoned one?
Recharge wells are simple structures to direct the flow of runoff rainwater to the ground water system. The water infiltrates the soil and comes up in potable water wells nearby. The Foundation has revived and converted abandoned wells into recharge wells, to increase the ground water table and check the run off. The cost to construct a recharge well is Rs. 10,000, while the cost to revive an abandoned well could vary between Rs. 500 to 1500.
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