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Water Management
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Water is a critical resource, whether for human consumption, agricultural use or sanitation, and one that is in increasingly short supply in India. A serious water crisis faces us, if more sustainable ways of managing water are not put into place without delay. In most parts of rural Gurgaon, groundwater is saline and polluted by chemicals. In addition, it is overexploited and its replenishment is limited by poor rainfall and ecological degradation. This state of affairs directly affects village health and prosperity, making water management crucial to any developmental activity.
The Foundation has undertaken a water management program, which focuses on promoting water consciousness, building water-harvesting structures, advocating water conservation practices and increasing access to safe drinking water.
Activities in progress:
Promoting water literacy
The Foundation conducts water awareness campaigns to inform the villagers about:
Building check dams
By collecting rainwater, check dams help replenish groundwater, provide extra water for irrigation and animals and protect crops from flooding.
Constructing and renovating wells
- Open wells are a source of drinking water; however, they are also used for other activities such as washing clothes and watering animals. Consequently, well water can easily become contaminated. In order to prevent this, open wells should have raised platforms around them, and dirty water should be channeled to a soak pit. A number of wells also need to be deepened and made safer.
- Wastewater disposal wells help improve cleanliness of the village.
- Recharge wells direct the muddy runoff rainwater flowing in the villages to the groundwater table. The water then emerges in potable water wells located nearby.
Constructing roof-water harvesting structures
Roof-water harvesting systems collect rainwater and channel it to a well for community use. Excess water is directed to the groundwater table for replenishment. So far, roof-water harvesting structures have been installed on schools, mosques and community centers.
Recycling water through soak pits
Typically, public water supply outlets in the villages are tap-less pipes, which let water flow freely in to the streets – when there is water supply. Converting these outlets to a system of taps, stand posts and soak pits effectively cuts down water wastage, slush, and water contamination. It also improves water pressure for the entire village.
Conserving water and soil
Farmers can reduce their water usage by using drip irrigation and by chiseling agricultural land before the onset of monsoons to improve percolation of rainwater. Other sound agricultural practices such as integrated pest management and integrated nutrient management help limit the excessive use of chemical fertilizers and pesticides, thus reducing water pollution.
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