Water Security and Safety

Expected Outcomes

i) Water Security and Safety Project in 3 villages of Krishnagiri District funded by UNICEF has been completed
ii) Capacity Building of Rural Water Supply and Rural Development officials on “Evolving Participatory Village Water Security and Safety Plans” and Proposal for Water Security and Safety for 15 villages in Thally Block, Krishnagiri district (with UNICEF support).
iii) Under Small Scale Funding from UNICEF, a Project
iv) “To provide Technical support to Tamil Nadu Water and Drainage Board (TWAD) for safely managed drinking water supply’had been taken up during March 2019 in two aspiring districts viz., Virudhunagar & Ramanathapuram.” The Water security and Safety Plans for Seventy Two villages in Sattur Block(32Nos) of Virudhunagar district and Bogalur Block(40Nos)of Ramanathapuram district had been prepared and submitted to TWAD Board after completion during March 2020.

Key Concept

Engaging Community in developing Village Water Security and Safety Plan by generating awareness and educating the Community.Initiating Community led activities on water security and Safety aspects.
Encourage the Village Community to collaborate and establish Partnership with the Water and Agriculture related Government departments and improve water use efficiency.
Creating a Social Capital (Community Change Management Group (CCMG)) for the Village Community for taking care of the welfare of the entire village, particularly its Water Security & Safety.
Engaging community in reviewing existing water supply system and in tap stand study to prepare feasible options for equitable distribution of water and to understand impact of Pit Taps.
CCMG trained in Water Quality Monitoring tests like, Residual Chlorine, pH, Bacteriological, Chloride, Fluoride, etc and they conduct water quality surveillance activities and report findings to Panchayat.
Educating school students to strive for their right to water.
Working towards an open defecation free village, by increasing construction and usage of house hold toilets & putting existing Community toilets to use.

Process

Community Water Resource Appraisal (CWRA) & Water Walk (WW)

CWRA & WW done in Kuppichiparai, helped in understanding the cultural aspects of its water related issues.
These tools have been useful to sensitize the village community about maintenance of water bodies which were their forefathers’ routine once, but forgotten since

Community Change Management Group (CCMG)

Community Change Management Group is a voluntary team formed after a process of interactions among the community. This essentially consists of the President and few ward members of the Gram Panchayat, the members of Village Water and Sanitation Committee, the Water Users Association representatives, SHG representatives, Women Group, Youth volunteers, volunteers from working/retired School teachers, retired Govt. staff from that village, Dalith representatives and multi stakeholders etc.

The Kuppichiparai CCMG was formed through a comprehensive community participation and decision making process and its roles & responsibilities were established. This team will be the Social Capital for the Village Community taking care of the welfare of the entire village, particularly its Water Security & Safety.

Towards water security – Water Budget

The Water budget for kuppichiparai village was developed by the CCMG members with consultation of officials and experts. This water budget developed envisages a rough estimation of the water resources available in the village and also the requirements of water for various sectoral uses and equating them to arrive at “Water Balance”. The net deficit / surplus indicated the water scenario in the village and helped to develop the water management plan for the village to ensure optimum use of water.

Towards water security – Conservation In Agriculture Sector

CCMG invited & gathered the Water and Agriculture sector Government officials in a common platform to get their help in Water Conservation.

The Agriculture & Agricultural Engineering Department officials explains to community how they can cultivate the 50 ha with available water. At present 50% of land only under cultivation due to less water availability.

More than 40 applications received and processed for Drip & Sprinkler Irrigation after the water budgeting sensitisation in Kupichiparai Panchayat.
4 Farmers showed interest in going for Horticulture Crops.

Towards water security – Community In Drinking Water System Improvement Process

Ensuring Equitable Distribution

Tap Stand study – to assess pressure variation at points in the distribution system

In discussion the CCMG prepares, the zoning plan for the distribution system with assistance from CEC experts, TWAD

Around 80 pit taps were closed by Kupichiparai community. This also prevented water getting contaminated during the distribution.
The Kuppichiparai Panchayat & Community are in the process of establishing House Hold Connections.

Towards water security – CCMG Putting Defunct Bores Into Use

Ensuring Equitable Distribution

The CCMG with the help of experts assessed the water level in 12 defunct bore wells in their Panchayat and found that out of 12, water is available in 8 bore wells.

The Panchayat President had erected the extra length pipes and kept mini tanks in 3 bore wells (out of 8), after this assessment, which supplies drinking water to the nearby habitations, avoiding long distance travelled by the people to fetch water.

The Kuppichiparai CCMG are in the process of using the 4 bore wells (without water) for rain water recharge by making a filter media near the bore well and from where the rain water will be let into bore well

Towards water security – Community In Drinking Water Quality Surveillance Process

Ensuring Safe Water

CCMG trained in Water Quality monitoring tests through field test kits
They make the community aware on water quality issues
Maintains register of Water Quality tests and ensure follow up
Informs Panchayat in case of any emergency

The CCMG with the help of experts assessed the water level in 12 defunct bore wells in their Panchayat and found that out of 12, water is available in 8 bore wells.

The frequency, dosage of chlorination and residual chlorine at various water points are under surveillance of CCMG in Kupichiparai with the help of Panchayat President , thus ensuring safe drinking water.

Towards water security – CCMG Works Towards Ecology, Hygiene & Sanitation

Ensuring Safe Water

The CCMG members had organised the Global Hand Washing Day – October 15th celebration in the Kuppichiparai school to spread awareness on importance of hand washing with soap

Around 3000 saplings (arranged from forest department) were distributed by Kuppichiparai CCMG members to interested villagers on Gram Sabha day. The CCMG members watch out the survival of the saplings.

Expected Outcomes

This pilot project progresses towards achieving the following outcomes

A community evolved Water Security & Safety Plan specifying the System Improvements required, Source Sustainability Options towards sustainable water security.
An understanding across the various user groups on Equitable Distribution, Water Quality Monitoring and Operation & Maintenance of the Water Supply System.
Open defecation free village and increased demand and usage for House hold toilets and Community toilets.
Community Evolved Water Budgeting and Demand Management Plan with inputs for water conservation in Irrigated Agriculture.

Project Under taken

i) Water Security and Safety Project in 3 villages of Krishnagiri District funded by UNICEF has been completed
ii) Capacity Building of Rural Water Supply and Rural Development officials on “Evolving Participatory Village Water Security and Safety Plans” and Proposal for Water Security and Safety for 15 villages in Thally Block, Krishnagiri district (with UNICEF support).
iii) Under Small Scale Funding from UNICEF, a Project
iv) “To provide Technical support to Tamil Nadu Water and Drainage Board (TWAD) for safely managed drinking water supply’had been taken up during March 2019 in two aspiring districts viz., Virudhunagar & Ramanathapuram.” The Water security and Safety Plans for Seventy Two villages in Sattur Block(32Nos) of Virudhunagar district and Bogalur Block(40Nos)of Ramanathapuram district had been prepared and submitted to TWAD Board after completion during March 2020.