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COMMUNITY PARTICIPATION IN WATER SUPPLY SCHEMES

A TRAINING MANUAL FOR MEMBERS OFWARD WATER COMMITTEES

A translation from the Malayalam original

Edited and presented by

P. HARISH KUMARR. SURESH

September 1989

LIBRARY

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SOCIO-ECONOMIC UNITS, KERALAKERALA VvATER AUTHORITYDUTCH-DANISH SUPPORTED WATER & SANITATION PROJECT

Coordinating Office:Post Bag 6519, Vileas Bhavan P.O, Trivaridrum-695 033Phone (047])-669C^ Tc;!ex:(435)-379

COMMUNITY.PARTICIPATION IN WATER SUPPLY SCHEMES

A TRAINING MANUAL FOR MEMBERS OFWARD WATER COMMITTEES

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II

CONTENTS

Preface

1. SOCIO-ECONOMIC UNITS - WHY, FOR WHAT ?K. Balachandra Kurup 5

2. OUR HEALTH IS OUR LIFE - Martin de Graaf 9

3. COMMUNITY PARTICIPATION - NEED, PROBLEMSAPPROACHES - CO. Kurian 13

4. COMMUNITY PARTICIPATION IN RURALWATER SUPPLY SCHEMES - Isac John 18

5. KERALA WATER AUTHORITY - STRUCTUREFUNCTIONING, RESPONSIBILITIES- R. Unnikrishnan Nair • 23

6. FINANCIAL ASPECTS OF DRINKING WATER-T.N.N. Bhattathirippad 26

7. WATER AN INVALUABLE NATURAL RESOURCE- Manacaud Sukumaran Nair- 0. T. Remadevi- Issac John 29

8. HEALTH ASPECTS OF WATER- 0. T. Remadevi 33

9. WATER SUPPLY SCHEMES & THEIRMAINTENANCE-Jaju Jacob-Padmanabhan Nair 37

10. WATER SUPPLY, VARIOUS SYSTEMS- George Varghese " 43

11. SANITARY LATRINES- R.Suresh 47

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. PREFACE

The Proclamation of the Drinking WaterSupply and Sanitation-Decade focussed attentionon the importance of providing drinking waterfacilities through schemes that involvedcommunities at all stages of the planning andimplementation of a water supply scheme. Manycountries, including India, have taken up thechallenge of achieving the Decade's objectivesand have decided to provide drinking water to allby the year 1990.

Until recently, planners of rural watersupply schemes tended to focus only on thetechnical design, construction and maintenanceaspects of water supply schemes. Hence, at moststages of the implementation of these projects,only engineers or technocrats were involved. Fromthe experiences gained from projects all over theworld, attention has now been directed towardsthe necessity for incorporating communityaspirations and needs at all stages in theexecution of a project. Considered in this light,environmental sanitation and health education areareas which acquire importance when rural watersupply schemes are planned. From another point ofview, the large gap in terms of knowledge andperceptions between technocrats and the villagecommunity, can be bridged through systematicorientation and training. This, in turn,necessitates the creation of institutions at theuser-level that will act as conduits and channelsfor the flow of information, knowledge andopinion in both directions.

Socio-Economic Units, Kerala was establishedwith a mandate to experiment with thepossibilities of garnering community support andenthusiasm for the implementation and managementof local water supply schemes. An average ward inKerala has a population of about 8-10,000 people,and it was thought that this would be anap'propriate level at which an interface betweenthe technocracy and the community could beestablished. Hence the proposal to establish WardWater Committees in all the panchayats under theIndo-Dutch-Danish rural water supply schemes.This nanual has been designed and produced as atraining aid for members of WWCs, with the hopethat the first bridges could be establishedthrough an orientation programme built around thecontents of this manual.

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••"'"' I This manual has 11 chapters, touching on the: different aspects of RUS that we thought were

(• , essential for the 'orientation of ward members.Experts from the Kerala Water Authority andSocio-economic Units are the major contributors

(., to this book. Messers Martin De Graaf, C O .Kurian, Issac John, R. Unnikrishnan Nair, T.N.N.Bhattathirippad, Manacaud Sukumaran Nair, GeorgeVarghese and R. Suresh deserve special thanks inthis regard.

Manacaud Sukumaran Nair and J. Hubert editedthe materials for publication in the originalMalayalam edition of this book. Rank AdvertisingConsultants of Ernakulam,gave final touches andshape to this book.

With the hope that this manual facilitatesupport for the effective functioning of wardWater committee members, I have privilege inpresenting this book to you.

K. Balachandra KurupExecutive Co-ordinator

Socio-Economic Units, KeralaTrivandrum1.6.1989

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CHAPTER 1

SOCIO-ECONOMIC UNITS: 4/HY,K.Ba]achandra Kurup

AND FOR WHAT ?

The Dutch and Danish governments providefinancial and technical support for theestablishment of rural water supply schemes in 73panchayats in Kerala. The Kerala Water Autorityimplements these schemes through the award ofcontracts, the execution of which is governed byKWA's staff positioned all over the State. With aview to encouraging an integrated approach toimplementation, drawing upon local communityresources and opinions from the planning stageitself, Socio-Economic Units were established inthe Northern(Calicut), Centra 1(Trichur) and

SOCIO-ECONOMIC UNITS, Southern (Qui Ion) Kerala, the activities of whichKERALA "are co-ordinated by the Co-ordinating Office

based at the Kerala Water Authority Head quartersin Trivandrum. The Dutch and Danish governmentsfund the activities of these units which, in thelong term, are expected to be integrated into theKeraka Water Authority. Professionals withexperience and training in Social Science, HealthEducation and Community Organisation have beenappointed in these three units.

The objectives of thebriefly listed below.

Sacio-Economic Units

-Ensure people's participation especially women'sparticipation in the construction, operation andmaintenance of water supply projects.-Ensure that the programme design and thefunctioning benefits at least 90% of the peoplein the society.-Conceptualise and organise programmes related tohealth education and sanitation.-Develop systems that are helpful in monitoringand evaluatingfailures.

project activities, progress and

WHY COMMUNITY PARTICIPATION?

Most development programmes in Kerala do notconsider enough the importance of people'sparticipation. Therefore, people often view suchprogrammes with suspicion and prefer to keep awayfrom the programme. This eventually leads to thefailure of the programme. 'Experts' often believethat lay people are too incompetent to beincluded ijn the planning process. This attitudenaturally leads to alienation of the people. Inreturn, the community adopts an indifferentattitude towards any development programs.

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Further, society comes to expect that alldevelopment activities will be taken up by theGovernment through experts. Later, well into theimplementation of- the programme, efforts tomobilise people's support and participation doesnot make much headway, and enough confidence isinot instilled in the community; eventually thisresults in the failure of the programme. Many ofthe Dutch-Danish assisted water supply and'sanitation schemes are in different stages ofcompletion. The areas of operation for theseprojects were selected in 1982-84. It wasrealised later that except in the northernregion, there has been little communityparticipation at the planning stage. Most ofthese projects are expected to be completed by1989-90.

With these ideas in mind, SEU plansactivities to ensure people's participation inwater supply and sanitation programmes.

WARD WATER COMMITTEE

People's participation in a socialdevelopment programme should be viewed assomething more than a concept. It is rather aflow that determines the success of a project.This should become the absolute reality. It iswith this in view that Ward Water Committees areformulated. These committees ensure equalrepresentation with emphasis on women'sparticipation. These committees are responsiblefor the Water supply and sanitation status oftheir respective areas. Socio-Economic Units, incollaboration with the Kerala Water Authority andthe Health department provides sufficient supportto these Committees. There is good reason toemphasise women's representation. They are themanagers of homes who are responsible for thehealth of the family. The time, energy and effortspent by women in collecting water for householdrequirements have a direct effect on the healthand economic status of the society.

The Ward Water Committee of each place isresponsible for site selection of stand posts,latrines, and their construction, and discussionsand decision making of such pub 1ic faci1ities.The operation and maintenance of these facilitiesare also responsibilities of the WWC. Socio-Economic Unit staff provide a link between the

panchayats, KWA, voluntaryetc. Because the rural populationenthusiastic about having • safeat their doorsteps, it is not

benef iciar ies,organisations,in Kerala iswater supplydifficult to mobilise people's participation.

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•HEALTH EDUCATION

Culture and traditions have an importantrole in influencing, the health habits of people.Ward Water Commi t~tees, which includerepresentatives from different social strata canexert a considerable amount of influence onpeople's health habits. Besides being able toassist in the construction and commissioning ofprogrammes, they can also be of great use inoperation and maintenance. These Committees arealso expected to assist in health educationcampaigns and in creating awareness to thepeop1e.

Cleanliness and environmental sanitation isnot something very new to the people of Kerala.Yet it is necessary to strengthen the awarenesson the importance of protected water andenvironmental sanitation. The health status of afamily is determined by the quality and quantityof water used by them. Water-related and water-borne diseases recur frequently through theindiscriminate use of water without properknowledge of how to use it, and how much water to•use.

Socio-Economic Units will identify waterrelated problems with the help of WUCs and trysolving these problems with the help of theoncerned government departments. We also

organise and conduct training classes, freemedical camps, and clear doubts in people's mindson various related issues.

The health habits of people depend on theircultural and traditional backgrounds. How thesebackgrounds influence health habits is a matterof much research. It may be very difficult evento make people adaptable to minor changes. ForexampIe,a) How many people are of the habit of washingtheir hands and faces before and after takingfood? What can be done to cultivate this habit?b) How to wash hands and face without using toemuch water?c) What are the regional attitudes and healthpracti ces?

Health ed-ication efforts can succeed only ifall the members of a community cultivate hygienichabits. Here are a few points which can set amodel to others.

Removal of wastes.Proper water coI 1ection,use,and handling.Personal hygieneDisposal of waste water and excreta.

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Preventivediseases.

measures for water-related

It is not possible to bring effective healtheducation by mere campaigning. Work plans shouldbe attached "more importance which only can bringserious changes in the health and huygiene habits-

people.

SANITATION

Health and Sanitation are inseparablyrelated. Sanitation has assumed so much

determines the course ofdevelopment of a society,prove that water supplysanitation element are

Socio-Economic Units gives sufficientto sanitation activities in its water

importance that itsocial and economicPrevious experiencesschemes without afai1ures.emphas issupply schemes through experimental sanitationprogrammes. It ensures appropriate technology andsufficient financial funding for the constructionof low-cost twin-pit latrines. People below thepoverty line can own a latrine by contributingjust 25* of the cost of construction. Theobjective of the Socio-Economic Units is toprovide as many low cost latrines as possible. Wehave the whole-hearted support of KWA, PanchayatAuthoritirs, Voluntary organisations and thegeneral public in this.

EVALUATION

It is not possible to evaluateand sanitation projects on their ownhealth education activities onconsiderations. Only reliable

water supplyrights, andjust healthdata and

health educationand sanitation

lead us to correct and completeThis requires true and accurateAnanlyses of such statisticalalone can facilitate a just

This means collection of accurate

information on the influence ofactivities on water supplyprogrammes can lead usi nferences.statistics.informationeva1uat ion.baseline infomation. Socio-Economic Unitsintends to collect information that willcontriute to the efficiency and effectiveness ofactivities like site-selection for standposts andlatr ines.

The policy of the Socio-Economic Unit in theformulation of a programme plans are so wideranging that planning requirements of eachregional unit of the Socio-Economic Units istakein into account. This means Socio-EconomicUnits implement programmes that are of maximumuse to the people.

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CHAPTER 2

OUR HEALTH IS OUR LIFEMartin de Graaf

Nobody can live without a body. This veryweak and fragile body which can collapse at anymoment is the foundation of life. If our bodyfalls apart, our dreams fall apart. Mankind hasprogressed scientifically, quite a lot. He hasworked wonders in blue skies and high seas. Butcould he change an inch of the basic structure ofhis body? The answer is no. Life has always been

prisoner to his body.

Think once more. We can see that thisarguement is not completely true. We are not inthe prisoner's cell of our body. Because, we arenot dependent on our body, but our body is alsodependent on us. If we need to lead a happy lifewe have to keep our body in good shape. Thismakes life happy to us and our life.

Who is to do this? Should the Doctor takecare of health care? Or is it medicines? It isonly you who is responsible to take care of yourbody. You are the sole authority to determine thecondition of your health. Doctors, medicines adhealth educators can only show you the way tolead a healthy life. It is only you who shouldact accordingly and keep good health. The worldhas conquered most of the'deseases. But if you donot keep fit only you are responsible for it.Remember, your health is your life.

WHAT CHANGE CAN HEALTH BRING ?

us a job andhere means a

time and money

A healthy and fit body can gethelp us keep it. A healthy personperson who doesn't have to spendon doctors,medicines and hospitals. Your healthcan bring happiness and welfare, not only to youbut also to your family. Come to think of theworries that your illness can cause to otherpeople. If your body is healthy, your mind willalso be healthy. Your ideas become healthy. So bethe master of your body by taking good care.

HOW IS THAT POSSIBLE?

To be an owner of a healthy body, therethree things that are very important.

1. Understand the right things2. Choose the right way |3. Act accordingly.

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Your health is the result of your dailyactivities. There can be no better understandingwithout proper knowledge about the functioning ofour body and the best health habits. There can beno results for anything done without betterunderstanding.

There is no excuse for lack of health. You'must have it. You should find out what is^required and work for it. Some may cause aproblem of practical difficulty. Yet, you have towork for it. Use only clean water. Take onlyclean food. Keep your house and surroundingsclean. All your activities should supportmaintenance of your good health. This shouldbecome a habit.

WHAT CAN YOU DO?

Elsewhere in this book there are chapterswhich deal in detail about water and sanitation.Here are a few practical points that may help youand your family to change your health habits.

Collect water only from safe sources.Water thus collected must be stored well.Drinking water should always be protectedand stored.It is safer tc boil it before using it todrink.Do not let water stay stagnated in andaround your house.Keep clean the places where you wash yourc1othes.Wash your hands before and after you takefood.Bathe every day.Make and use a sanitary latrine.Make sure that your children are also taughtto use latrines.Keep your latrine clean.Wash your- hands clean with soaplatrine.Do not let garbage gather around

WHAT CAN YOU DO WITH NEIGHBOURS?

after using

your house

Some health-related problems can not besolved by an individual alone. You may be able towork something tog:th=r with your neighbours. Youmay discuss common problems with them and find anacceptable solution.

Prevent water from staying stagnated in thesurroundingsKeep surroundings of well and standpostsclean.

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Make provision for waste water run-off.Do not bathe or wash clothes at near apublic standpost.Co-operate in keeping public wells clean.Avoid open air defecation.Those who can not afford private latrinescan join together to build community-latrines and ensure that all beneficiariesuse them properly.Report major repairs or faults of watersupply systems to the notice of concernedauthor ities.Make arrangements for immediate and instantremoval of garbage.

WHAT CAN YOU DO WITH SOCIETY ?

There are a lot of good things that one cando together with society as a whole. A lot ofuseful things to the society.

Cleaning and protecting public wells.Construction of public standposts.Financial participation for construction ofcommunity latrines.Listening to health educators andencouraging others also towards betterhealth habits.Report to authorities, any major faults orrepairs noticed in public water supplysystems.Ensure- that there is regular and sufficientwater supply through public standposts.Co-operate - in the construction ofborewe11s.Make arrangements to repair faulty handpumpswi thout de1 ay.

Rather than being told by others, what youshould do, you should think and decide foryourself what you can do and come forward to dcwhat you think you can do.

Hoping that al! social work shall be done bythe government is futile. With this attitude, Ittakes a long time for things to happen. Youshould also realise that the government may nothave the money for this at all times. Thechanging governments or the local self governmentbodies cannot do much in these matters, lnstes--1

of just sitting on the hope that the governmentwill do everything that we need, it is betterthat we volunteer to come forward and do what wecan for what we want. Ward, Water Committees areone such well planned, welf organised move. Everyone may not get representation in thesecommittees. But there are a lot of things to

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remember when organising such committees.

Water committees should be kept free ofpo Iitics.While the number of members of thesecommittees should b*e kept at the minimum, itshould not lose its representative identity.Instead of taking up too manyresponsibilities, take up only those whichcan be fulf i11ed.Identify and plan well in advance, time-bound action plans for each activities.Keep close watch on financial aspects. Thereis no place for corruption in social serviceactivi t ies.If you find that activities taken up by yourcommittee is failing, stop work and reviewwhy your activities failed.Your successful ventures will be anexcellent model to others.

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13

CHAPTER 3

COMMUNITY PARTICIPATION: NEED, PROBLEMS ANDAPPROACHES

C. O. Kurian

Introduction

This chapter deals with the problemsinvolved in community participation for watersupply and , sanitation schemes in developingcountries like India.

It has been widely accepted that the successof development activities rests with the creativeparticipation of communities. Communityparticipation, here, means the involvement of theresidents of a partcular place where adevelopmental activity is envisaged. Involvementof people in planning, decision making,implementing, evaluating etc. are areas wherepeople can participate.

Programme planning stages should recognisepower of the people as the main element in thesuccess of each scheme. The common belief thatpeople know nothing and that experts are the oneswho decide what people need, should change.

Today community participation, has become, aformality and that is the end. We have to facepolitical, social and cultural elements whichimpede complete community participation.

2. Characteristics of Kerala

Kerala possess more political and culturaldiversity than other states in our country.

Consumerour state at athis context,social work isdevaiopmentresponsibi 1 i t>•participationpo1i tica1 awabut alsoIndisc,iSinaiecreative criti

awareness is gathering momentum infaster pace than anywhere else. Inthe orientation of service in

declining. Most people think thatactivity is the government's

and hence no communityis required. The excessive

reness affects not only social lifeinter-personal relationships.

protest of everything supercedescism.

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3. The situation

•Those schemes which failed to recognise thatcommunity participation is the foundation stoneof success of all developmental activities havefailed. Failed because, people's beliefs,attitudes, problems, cultural, financial status,other backgrounds were not taken into accountwhile implementing schemes. In most cases peoplecame to know of schemes only after they hadcommenced. For example people came to know ofwater supply schemes they were to benefit fromonly after pipe-laying had started., The attitudeof authorities is: 'why consult illiterate,ordinary people?'. This .should change. Ahealthy social change can take place only ifthere is complete community participation.

4. Advantages of community participation

1. Benefits

Development activities can gain more onlyfrom creative community participation. Thequality of the scheme is more important thancompletion of the scheme.

2. Cost reduction

The cost of each scheme can be drasticallyreduced if local residents of a project area comeforward to co-operate in developmentalactiv ities.

Beneficiaries of projects can contribute tocost reduction by contributing to the project inlabour or in kind. The cost can be reduced alsoby adapting appropriate technology and goodadministration.

3. Sense of Value

People become more committed to the projectwhen their opinions are valued and accepted. Italso helps in strengthening social relationshipsamong people.

'<• 4 Model

A project implemented with the help ofcommunity participation creates grounds foi frsshorganisational arrangements, energy, beliefs etc.This sets a model for other people in otherproject 'areas to participate in developmentalactivities.

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5 Sense of Responsibility

Each project implemented with the help ofcommunity participation causes, pride to thepeople of the area atftl this in turn creates asense of responsibility in each one's mind.

6 People's Needs are met

When people are consulted in decidingprojects their needs are met. Thus the moneyspent for the project can be said to be spent formeeting felt needs.

7. Overcome Mistakes

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When people are also part of deciding anddesigning and implementing projects, ?iot only,does it prove to be more effective but also ithelps to overcome mistakes.

8. Utilise People's resources

Ifthere

9.

Each person ismany such people

is guaranteed

an expert in his own field,worked together in a projectsuccess.

Self-dependence

Depending on experts every time there is aproblem causes undue delay. Minor repairs andfaults can be rectified by any beneficiary.However depending upon experts for complexproblems is not ruled out.

5. Community Participation : some problems.v

a. PIann ing

participation at thedetermines whether theat all. However threrein such matters becauselopsided in opinions can

expected in the decision

Including People'splanning stage itselfpeople need .the projectneed not be a consensuspolitical influences andhamper the creativitymaking process.

b. Design

People of a project area are capable ofproviding relevant data and information requiredfor the preparation of a design for the project.It need not be true always they may have a lot ofideas which do not consider the complexities orhave any definite priorities.

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c. Organisational set-ups.

There are a lot of advantages inincorporating local organisations in theimplementation of a project. But Governmentagencies may not be willing to accommodate suchlocal organisations. Thus it may simply not bepossible to cordinate between the two differentagencies in project activities.

d. Implementation

People can help a lot in completing theproject faster and in time. But organising andcontrolling people for project work is adifficult task.

e. Operation and Maintenance

Problems of consumers can be instantly andimmediately solved because part of the projectimplementors are volunteers from the same place.However it calls for expert advice andinvolvement for the rectification of complexproblems. Moreover,the number of people who arewilling to take responsibilities withoutremuneration is too small.

f. Beneficiary Contribution

Collecting a fixed part of the cost ofproject from beneficiaries has become an acceptedpractice. But still the desire and willingness topay for the project may not be possible in everycase.

. Preference to public interests

When developmental activities are taken up,people have to forgo personal interests forpublic interests. However, there is a tendency toquit the project work when personal interestsfail to find place. Keralites, as they are, havea tendency to pull out of voluntary work afterthe initial interest.

h. Eva!uat i on

The involvement of people right from thebeginning to the end of the project saves:T2Sponsible, offhand remarks and. criticismsabout the project. It also helps develop ahealthy approach towerds the project. Butstrictly speaking, it involves problems of aproper orientation towards the whole matter.

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6 Solutions, Practical Difficulties

The major challenge that a project will haveto face from the village level will be thecultural and political resistance. Keralites areknown for their interests in personal gains.Reorienting people towards dedicated socialservice is a very complex problem. Partyfanaticism has assumed the role of the mainobstruction to winning people's participation.

Unless development activities are viewed tobe above political interference, the chances ofcompleting a project that will really benefitpeople remains doubtful.

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CHAPTER 4

COMMUNITYSCHEMES1 sac John

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PARTICIPATION IN RURAL WATER SUPPLY

People's participation is an essentialelement in the success of any water supplyscheme. There is need for standardising theapproach of including people's participation togain their co-operation. It would also beappropriate to organise committees at ward,panchayat and district levels.

In this chapter we detail somecharacteristics of the personnel support andinstitutional structures necessary for thesustained participation of communities in RWS.

STANDPOST ATTENDANT

The ward commitee willas stand post attendantresponsibilities.

appoint awith the

vo1unteerfoil owing

l.See that minimal amounts of water are wastedand .that 'the surroundings of the standpost arec1ean.2.Take care of the surroundings of the standpost;see that no shrubs and grass grow around.3.Keep the drain clean.4.Ensure that consumers observe the following^points:-handle the tap properly-do not wash clothes on the platform or near thestandpost.-do not use drinking water for other purposeslike watering plants-do not use water toautomobi1es.5.Report any faults orauthorities immediately.

wash domestic animals or

repairs to concerned

l

WARD WATER COMMITTEE(UWC) STRUCTURE

1. Panchayat ward member 12. Lady representative (from women's

organisation) 23. An active social worker 14. Representative from yoiuth organisation 25. I.C.D.S Supervisor/Junior Public Health

Nurse/any other representative from relateddepartments 1

Total 7

SEU member (ex-officio)

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GUIDELINES.TO SELECT WWC MEMBERS

The Panchayat committee members may use thefollowing guidelines while selecting members forthe UUC.

1. An elected representative from the ward.2. Should be a resident of the particular ward.3. Should be a beneficiary of this water supply

scheme.4. Should be a respectable and reliable person.5. Should be literate.6. If those who handle drinking water are

mostly women,there should be a minimum oftwo women in the committee.

7. Should be above eighteen years of age.8. Should be .willing to offer voluntary

service.9. Should be willing to attend training

classes.

RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE WWC MEMBERS

1. Assist the site-selection team in theprocess of site selection.

2. Assist in the process of acquisition ofprivate property when necessary.

3. Help installation of standposts and solveproblems likely to rise in future.

4. Organise people's participation for theimplementation of the projectand also in itsfuture operation and maintenance.

5. Take action on stand post attendant'sreports of misuse of drinking water.

6. See that stand post surroundings are keptclean and create awareness amongbeneficiaries on this aspect.

7. Health-related activities aimed at theresidents of the project should be organisedand SEU workers assisted.

8. In times of need when there are waterrelated health problems, inform about it tothe panchayat water comittee.

9. Act on steps to solve major repairs of watersupply systems in consultation with theWater Authorities.

10. Report major repairs to the concerned WaterAuthor i ty.

11. Record and act on complaints lodged byconsumers in the ward.

12. Extend support to the public and theconcerned authorities whenever required.

13. Create awareness among the villagepopulation on the design, construction andthe operation and maintenance of watersupply systems and also organise healtheducation classes.

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•HEALTH SUB-COMMITTEE

. Two dynamic,women and one man selected fromthe WUC should be given training in Healtheducation and organisational abilities.

WWC MEEETING - PROCEEDINGS.

1. Respective ward member shall be thepresident.

2. The committee will select the Secretary.3. Meetings shall be held at least once in a

month.4. Organising meetings and recording minutes of

the meeting shall be the responsibility ofthe Secretary.

5.a Any member failing in attendance for threeconsecutive meetings shall automatical 1 lyforfeit his membership.

5.b New members to the committee will be electedin accordance with the normal guidelines.

6. Members not sufficiently active in the WUCmay be removed from the committee dependingon the consensus of other members.

7. Two members of the WWC shall be nominated tothe Panchayat water committee.

8. The SEU will be responsible in identifyinglocal organisations and social workers forthe activities of the WWC.

9. Selection of Stand post attendant.

PANCHAYAT WATER COMMITTEE

Panchayat ward membersNon-political representative from the WWCAssistant Engineer nominated by Kerala WaterAuthorityAssistant Engineer of the Electricity BoardHealth InspectorPanchayat Executive OfficerVillage Extention Officer (if necessary)N.S.S Programme Officer (if available)l.C.D.S Officer/Supervisor(if available)SEU representative

The Panchayat Water committee should beconvened once in three months by the PanchayatPresident. The President shall preside over thermeeting. In the absence of the Panchayatpresident, the Vice-President or the ExecutiveOfficer may preside over such meetings.

The Committee may issue special invitationsto any other related department as and whenrequired.

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RESPONSIBILITIESWATER COMMITTEES

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AND DUTIES OF THE PANCHAYAT

1. Deliberate over problems not solved by theWWC.

2. Consider complaints ond reports accorded byWWC.

3. Observe regularly* the health status of thePanchayat, and use this information as thebasis for the design and conduct of classeson health education for people in thepanchayat area.

4. Help Water Authority in solving problems atthe Panchayat level.

5. Assist Water Authority in collecting Watercharges.

6. Supervise Operation and maintenance of watersupply systems in the Panchayat.

7. Assist in taking action against water chargedefaulters.

8. Assist in taking action against misuse ofdrinking water.

.9. Extend all support to the WWCs.10. Provide all necessary information to the

District level committee.11. Extend all support and supervise Link

Workers and Health sub committee.

DISTRICT CO-ORDINATION COMMITTEE

and the members of

1. District Collector2. ADM3. Members of the Parliament

the Legislative AssembleyPanchayat PresidentsKerala Water Authority Executive EngineerKWA Assistant EngineerDistrict Medical OfficerDistrict Health Education OfficerDistrict Mass Education OfficerDistrict Planning OfficerDistrict Womens Welfare OfficerDistrict Social Welfare OfficerDistrict Youth Co-ordinatarDeputy Director (Education)District Panchayat OfficerProject Officer DRDAProjact Officer I CDSMedical Officer ofCentres

19. Field Publicity Officer20. District Information Officer21. Block Development Officer22. SEU members

the Primary Health

IIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII

22

The District Collector shall convene the co-ordinating committee once in six months andreview trends in water supply, sanitation, healtheducation and other related matters.

OBJECTIVES OF T^E DISTRICT CO-ORDINATIONCOMMITTEE

1. Review of activities in the field of watersupply, sanitation, health education etc.

2. Co-ordinate activities of departmentsworking towards the same direction.

3. Expedite activities of the variousgovernment departments without causing anyfinancial burden to the government.

IIIIII•ri

• . • z 3 ; ; • .

CHAPTER 5

KERALA WATER AUTHORITY- STRUCTURE,FUNCTION ING ANDRESPONSIBILITIES

R.Unnikrishnan Nair

Background

It was the responsibility of the PublicWorks Department to look after Water supply andPublic Health activities in Kerala, until 1956.With the inception of the Public HealthEngineering Department in 1956, theseresponsibilities came under the PHED. Thisdepartment became an Authority , the Kerala Waterand Waste Water Authority, through a governmentordinance dated 1.4.1984. In 1986, the KeralaAssembly passed an act through which the KeralaWater Authority was born.

STRUCTURE OF THE AUTHORITY(See Chart)

1. Chairman, appointed by the Government2. Managing Director ( a qualified and well

experienced Chief Engineer)3. Government Secretary in charge of Public

Health.(Ex-officio)4. Finance Secretary to government (Ex-officio)5. Development Secretary to Government.(Ex-

Officio)6. Two government appointed representatives of

the Local self-government establishments.(Government nominees if no Local selfgovernment establishments exist.)

7. Scheduled caste-scheduled triberepresentative (Government nominee)

8. Technical Member not below the rank of aChief Engineer (Government appointed)

RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE WATER AUTHORITY

The Kerala Water Authority is responsiblefor the following functions according to- theKerala Water Authority Act.1. Planning, imp 1ementation,operation and

maintenance of water supply and waste waterdrainage.

2. Execution of water supply and drainagefacilities to the government, privateconcerns or individuals on request.

3. Planning of the state's water supply anddrainage requirements.

4. Fixation and revision of water charges andrates in water supply and sanitationschemes.

.24

Determine standards for water supply andsanitation schemes.Take care at all responsibilities of thePHED before the enforcement of the KeralaWater Authority Act.Assess and train the manpower requirementsfor the implementation of water supply andsanitation-activities in the state.Conduct researches for the efficientfunctioning of the Kerala Water Authority.Facilitate availability of drinking waterand drainage faciolities.Take necessary steps to ensure uninterruptedwater supply at times of emergency.

11. Undertake all activities notified inGovernment Gazettes.

FUNCTIONING OF THE KERALA WATER AUTHORITY.

The management of the Authority and controlof employees of the Authpority is theresponsibility of the Managing Director of theKerala Water Authority. The state has beendivided, for operation and maintenance, into tworegions, each under the charge of ChiefEngineers. Trivandrum and Calicut- are therespective headquarters of the South and Northregions. A Chief Engineer based at Cochin is incharge of the Investigation, Planning and Designand Research activities. The quality of water ineach area is also determined by him.

Each Chief Engineer is assisted by twoDeputy Chief Engineers and a SuperintendingEngineer. The general administration of allschemes are' managed by a SuperintendingEngineer. They are assisted by AssistantExecutive Engineers and Assistant ExecutiveEngineers, Assistant Engineers, Draftsmen andmany other personnel. Administrative functionsare taken care of by the Administrative Officer,*Administrative Assistants, Office Superintendentsand clerks.

All Financial matters are managed by theFinance Manager and Chief Accounts Officer. He issupported by the Accounts Manager, AccountsOfficers and Internal Auditors. The Secretary ofthe Kerala Water Authority organisesconventions, seminars etc.

The Authority has complex activity plans..Dedicated technocrats and bureaucrats are vitalelements of the successful functioning of theKerala Water Authority.

Keeping in mind the efficient fu stioning of

IIIIIIIIIII•c

,Jf

IIIIIIIIII

25

the Kerala Water Authority, Kerala has beendivided into two regions. Each region has beendivided into Circles, Executive Divisions andInvestigation, Planning and Design Divisions. Atpresent, there are 31 executive Divisions, SixIPDs and nine circles under the KWA with about6000 employees. _

Government allocation for water supply,loans from financial institutions like the LifeInsurance Corporation of India and World Bank,Bilateral assistance from Dutch and DanishGovernments and water charges from the public aresources of finance for the working of KeralaWater Authority.

IIIIJIIIIIII1IIIIIIIII

26

CHAPTER 6

FINANCIAL ASPECTS OF DRINKING WATER

T.N.N.Bhattathirippad

All Water supply schemes are expensive. Thatmakes understanding - the financial aspects of"water supply even more important.

.- There are two sides to financial aspects.

1. The Capital cost of a drinking water scheme.2. Day-to-day production cost.

CAPITAL COST

Capital cost includes all expenses incurredupto the commissioning of a scheme. Small watersupply schemes may not be successful in returningexpected results. A state like Kerala requiresintegrated water supply schemes which use waterfrom all rivers in the state. But it requiresplenty of money.

I terns on which expenditure isintegrated water supply schemes areAlthough the list is incomplete,useful as a model.

incurred foras fo 1 lows,

this can be

the source of water

2.3.4.5.6.

7.

8.9.10.11.12.13.14.15,

for

of

d i stribut ion

roads and

Identi fyingpreparations.Processing of water.Pumping facilities.Water reservoirs.Distribution network.Transmission pumpsnetworks..Repairs and maintenanceapproaches.Construction of residences for employees.Construction of Office Buildings.Equipment, materials and instruments.Purification facilitiesSalaries and wages.Allowance for depreciation.Acquisition of land.Miscellaneous expenses

and

We should be awarescheme, from planningcommissioning, incurs a lot

that a water supplystage through to

of expenses.

I

iIIiIiIIIIIIIJIII

27

DAY-TO-DAY PRODUCTION COSTS

It is possible to calculate how much itcosts to supply drinking water every day. Thiscost includes ' salaries of operators, cost ofchemicals for purification, Electricity chargesetc.

The Capital costs and daily production costsneed not necessarily be the same in all places.It is the same with all times. The per capitaexpense for rural water supply in Kerala has beenestimated at Rs.250/-. The production cost isRs.0.80 for every thousand litres. Keeping inview the changed times, this has to be revised toRs.500/ and Re.l/- respectively.

KERALA WATER AUTHORITY BUDGET

Every year, approximately Rs.50 crores arebeing spent on various water supply andsanitation schemes by the Kerala Water Authority.The expected expenses in this sector for the year1988-89 has been calculated as Rs 44.85 crores.Out of this Rs 40.43 crores has been allocatedfor Urban schemes and only Rs 4.43 crores forrural water supply. Sanitation facilities(drainage) have been alloted Rs 1.75 crores,Rs.29.67 crores has been allocated for operationand maintenance. Out of this, Rs.13.21 crores isspent as salaries and wages and Rs.16.46 croreshas been allocated for miscellaneous expenses.

One must be wondering where all this moneycomes from! The government, each year in itsbudget allocates a fixed amount for theactivities of Kerala Water Authority. There areloans from institutions like LIC and the WorldBank.The money spent through Soclo-Economic Unitsby Dutch and Danish governments and moneycollected as water charges from consumers alsokeeps the KWA going.

1III1IIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII

i - • • • • • : • • • • • • ? •

LetSUpplItem.1.

2.3.4.5.6.

7.

8.9.10.11-12.13.14. .15.

••-..••• ••• y . 2 8

Annexe

us see how the amount ay and sanitation has been

• ' • • ' • . ' • • . • • • •

Identifying the sourcepreparations.Processing of water.Pumping facilities.Water reservoirs.Distribution network.

1 lotted for waterdivided for each

of water and2.8%2.5%1.5%3. 4%18.0%

Transmission pumps for distributionnetworkRepairs and maintenanceapproaches.Construction of residencesConstruction of Office Bui

14.5%of roads and

2.4%for emp1oyeesO. 5%ldings. 0.1%

Equipment, materials and instruments. 0.5%Purification facilitiesSalaries and wages.Allowance for depreciationAcquisition of land.Miscellaneous expenses

Total

33.0%9.5%8.0%0.8%2.5%

100.0%

fe 2S

CHAPTER 7

WATER, AN INVALUABLE NATURAL RESOURCE

Manacaud Sukumaran NairO. T.Rema deviI sac John

II

• 1 :

ii

Water, after air, is the most essential

I element that sustains life. Water is necessary to

y\ all living beings to meet almost all of theirphysical needs. The first traces of life were

I //}>l\ found in water. Most of today's forms of life are

// hi t\\ evolutions from life in water. A major proportionof the body of living beings is water. Water is

I / / ""ilW* \ a n i n t e* r a l element in the development of cells4 y - _ jl )\ \ which is the most basic structure of life. Water

is indispensable in the process of digestion,excretion, blood circulation, respiration andgrowth. We feel thirsty when the water contentlevel .in our body goes down. An ordinary humanbeing living in a tropical region requires 2litres of water every day for drinking alone. Inshort, water is indispensable to human beingsfrom birth to death at all stages of growth andvarious activities.

I Man is indebted to water for all his

progress and achievements. Water is essentialalso for irrigation and animal husbandry. Watermakes earth fertile. Without water, our beautifulearth would turn into a desert. We can not cookfood or wash clothes with out' water. The culture,religion and progress of human beings are all

ated to water. Ancient civilisations took

IIIIIIIIIJ

re:shape-on river banks. Water is used to runmachines, produce electricity and transportation.In fact we have to depend on water for each andevery aspect of our life.

SOURCES OF WATER

Earth is rich with water. Oceans, rivers,lakes, ponds etc. are ail important sources ofwater. The atmosphere contains moisture which istiny drops of water. The rains and mist and snowfalls are different forms of water that fall onearth. Water thus recieved by the earth is storedas surface water in rivers and ponds and lakes.Water that seeps into earth is waht we call theground water. The store of underground water iswhat we get from wells. 71% of the earth'ssurface is water. We have only 29% of land. 3% ofthis water is in rivers, lakes and ponds. One mayfeel, 'we have so much of water to keep lifesurviving for millions of years.' But, sea water

II

IIII

IMl

III3-

• •••• •...,:.. :•::•••• ••••,.;. •• • 3 0

is very salty. Each litre of sea water has 35 gmsof salt content. The remaining sources of water

/'amount to very little. Almost 75% of thedrinkable water is in ice-form in the polarregions. In short, there is very little waterthat is left on earth, for our use.

WHAT IS PURE WATER?

Water that is not harmful to the functioningof human body its growth and survival may becalled pure water. In other words, water that isgerm-free,co1 our 1 ess and tasteless is pure water.

DIRTY WATER IS DEADLY

Cholera, Typhoid, Diarrhoea, Polio, Jaundiceetc. are some of the dangerous diseases that maylead to death, which are caused by dirty water.Mosquitoes breed on water and they arsresponsible, to a large extent, for the spread ofsuch water-related diseases.

HOW IS WATER POLLUTED?

Water gets polluted largely because of theirresponsible and careless behaviour of humanbeings. The main reason for easy water pollutionis open-air defecation. Germs that can cause

-•diseases, which came out with human excreta, findtheir way through to welIs and other sources ofdrinking water. Germs get into drinking wateralso when people bathe, wash clothes, washdomestic animals in or near drinking watersources. The use of unclean ropes and buckets tofetch water from welIs also causes waterpollution. Pollution also happens when dirt fromdrains,latrines, composte yards, grave yardsetc.by some way, reaches drinking water sources.Industrial and chemical wastes, thrcw-aways,waste and garbage from market places, hotels arealso reasons for the indiscriminate and deadlypollution caused by man himself. Nuclearradiation is the latest contribution from mankindin making pollution an even worse proposition.Looking at it closely, water is polluted atsource, ali the way, in many ways.

WATER POLLUTION

It is upto us, water users, to protect watersources from pollution and take care in notwasting or misusing drinking water. Variousvoluntary organisations, social workers, localselfgovernment bodies and the governments canwork together a lot to prevent water pollution.,

message of the drinking water decade is to

IIIIIIIIII

1981-1990

.WATER DECADEIIIIIIIIII4

reach drinking water to all and to use itcarefully without pollution. All the countriesand various international organisations likeUNICEF, World Bank,etc. are all working togethertowards a common goal. We have a very long way togo to reach the goal of -Drinking water for all'.Yet, there are a great many things that we can doto prevent water pollution to a very greatextent. No amount of legislation can help stopthis tendency. Only consistent public awarenesscampaigns can find an effective solution to thisproblem of water pollution. Scientificallydeveloped health education programmes are beingimplemented extensively.

PREVENTION OF WATERconsumers to ponder

POLLUTION - points for

1. Avoid open air defecation.2. Keep surroundings of wells and taps clean.3. Avoid bathing, washing clothes, domestic

animals and anal cleansing near wells andtaps.

4. Use well water only after making sure thatthe water is germ free.

5. Make sure that ropes and buckets used tofetch water from the we 1 1 is clean.

6. Be very careful that fingers, and clothesdo not dip in the water taken for drinking.

7. Keep drinking water always covered.8. Use vessels with long handles, or ladles to

take water from containers. It is evenbetter to use a container with a lid and tapfacility to take water for drinking.'

A FEW SIMPLE TECHNIQUES FOR WATER PURIFICATION.

1. Boiling - Use drinking water only afterhaving boiled it for 5 to 10 minutes.

2. Bleaching Powder - Use well water only anhour after mixing it with bleaching powderin a 1 ltr:0.5mg ratio.

3. Chlorine tablets - Available freely inalmost all health centres. The simplest andeasiest tecnique to purify water collectedand stored for drinking purposes. A tabletof O.Sgm is sufficient to purify about 20Ii tres of water.

IIIIiI

I>IIIIIIIJI

I4

•• ••:• ••• • 3 2 ';:)''•':>/:'":i-'!n>""::&^&i"^Mti;::

PURE WATER IS A SCARCE WEALTH. DO NOT MISUSE IT

It Is every one's duty to see that water isnot wasted or misused. 'Let us not waste a dropof water, Let's not waste the precious water'

• should be our slogan. Purified piped water should! be used only for drinking - and domestic purposes.: Let us keep in mind that if we are careless aboutwater now, in the future we may have to depend ondirty water for everything.

Now that man has discovered that surfacewater is fast depleting, he has set his eyes onground water. Even this treasure of pure water isbeing indiscriminately used. The increase inpopulation has created an increase in demand forwater. However, the quantity of water availablethrough different water sources has notincreased. This is the most serious crisis thatwe are facing now.

Unpredictable changes in climatic conditionscause shortfalls in timing and quantity ofrainfall. Indiscriminate deforestation deprivesthe oppertunity far surface water to stay there.As long as water is not allowed to entersubsurface levels, the time when there will be noground water is not too far away. Soon water maybecame a rare property. Let us work together tocreate a feeling that 'water is precious life'.

IIII1IIIIIII1I

» * . • . : . : . . O v J I . ; : ' ; . . - ' , •• • , • ' • . » • • ' r . . v . . : • • • . •; v < >;

, . - . " - .'•', J • '

CHAPTER 8

HEALTH ASPECTS OF WATER

O. T.Remadevi

The ultimate goal of the rural water supplyschemes going on in Kerala is to contribute to ahealthy population. This, in turn, provides thebasis to develop creativity andlifestyles. This is not somethingachieved in just two or three days,continued efforts and education.

IIIIIII

upgrade ourthat can beIt requiresIt requires

dedicated serviceeducators.

from social workers and health

Most of mankind'to water and waterrelated diseases arediseases, and, those

WATER BORNE DISEASES

s health habits are relatedto many diseases. Water-of two kinds: water borne

due to shortage of water.

Cholera, Typhoid, Polio, Jaundice, Diarrhoeaetc. are few of the water borne diseases. Germscausing these diseases reach water through humanexcreta. People who consume such water contractthese diseases. The safest way to prevent suchhappenings is to use water carefully. Let us nowexamine some charecteristies of these water bornedi seases.

Po 1 ioThis is a disease to be very careful about,

as far as Kerala is concerned. This is usuallyfound in children. This disease spreads very fastduring summer and at the beginning of themonsoon.

This disease is caused by Polio viruses.These germs enter the human body through waterand food. It gets into water when people who havealready contracted this disease defecate in openair. People living in very unhygienic conditionsare more prone to this disease. This diseaseaffects the brain, nervous system and muscles.Sustained fever and fatigue in parts of the bodyare symptoms of this disease. The possibility ofpermanent physical handicap is very high. Livingin hygienic conditions and careful handling ofwater can prevent this disease.

JaundiceThis disease is caused by a kind of virus.

Germs that come out through human excreta getinto water . Using this water for drinking orcooking purpose causes this disease. Fever, thepresence of yellow color in urine and skin, etc

IIII*IIIIIII

I_l_

IIJIII

are symptoms of this disease. Avoiding use ofpolluted water is the best way of preventing thisdisease. It is also important to protect drinkingw a t e r . . ; . •.• ••••. . • . . - . . . . . . . ••• .. • ...•:.. • • • : • > , . . ,•;. ,

TyphoidThis is one of" the deadliest water1 borne

"diseases. An unremitting" fever for a very longduration is the main symptom. Typhoid causingviruses have the capacity to resist very high andvery low temperature. Even after the course ofthe disease, germs do not completely geteliminated from the human body. One third ofthose who have been victims of Typhoid arecarriers of this disease. These germs keep comingout through human excreta. If these germs getinto drinking water, this can be a means tospread the disease.

DIARRHOEAL DISEASES

Unhygienic living conditions and consumptionof polluted water are causes for these diseases.Germs responsible for these diseases enter waterthrough human excreta. Besides it can also enterhuman body through dirty fingers, clothes,utensils etc. It has been estimated that almost15 lakhs children lose their lives every yearfrom diarrhoea 1 diseases.

! • ' • • ' • • ' • • • •

jDysentryExcessive vomiting, and loose motion causes

dysentry which weakens the patient very soon.

CholeraA very highly communicable disease, it

starts with loose motion} incessant vomiting anddefacatiqn weakens the patient. This disease iscapable of causing death to the patient.

DiarrhoeaUnusually excessive

stains and phlegm in thethis disease. It causesand is capable of causing

defecation with b1ocdstools are symptoms ofdehydration and thirstdeath to patients.

Oral Rehydration TherapyIf patients of diarrhoeal diseases are given

timely care it could even save them from death.Oral Rehydration Therapy CORT) as it is generallyknown, is some thing that can be practiced evenat home.

ORT is done with a solution (ORS) made fromone cup of water mixed with a spoon of sugar anda pinch of salt. The water used for this purposeshould be boiled and cooled. Besides, salted ricegruel, tender coconut water, a very light black

II

IIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII

III-I

. 3 S -.••. •;--S'i::.v^^^>;^e:^;

tea etc ars some other common drinks that can beused as Oral Rehydration Solution. A powder tomake ORS is freely available at all governmentdispensaries and Primary Health Centres.

Precautionary MeasuresUse drinking Water carefully- Protect water

from pollution. Make the use of latrines a habit.Take food when it is warm and fresh. Do not takefood that is left open or uncovered. Suchpractices can prevent water related diseases to agreat extent.

DISEASES DUE TO WATER SCARCITY

Not using sufficient water can also causediseases. Boils, Trachoma, bacillary dysentry etcare diseases caused by not using sufficientwater. The follwing unhygieninc reasons couldcause diseases due to insufficient use of cleanwater

Not keeping our body clean by washingNot keeping towels, dresses and bed sheetscleanNot keeping vessels and containers used totake food, clean.Not washing hands clean with soap after analcleansing.

Boi IsNeed no description. One of the most

repulsive health conditions, which is verycommon. It is possible to keep off this diseaseby just keeping our body clean.

TrachomaA virus-caused, conjunctive eye disease.

Makes eyes sore. Capable of causing permenantblindness. Almost 5* of the total or partialblindness cases found in India are caused byTrachoma. There are approximately 34 lakhs oftotally blind and almost 450 lakhs of partiallyblind people ail over India. This disease causesgrave concern to the society as a whole becauseit affects education and hampers creativity.

SymptomsRed coloured eyes, fluid exudation frcm eyes

with or without pus, swollen eyes, pain whenfacing light, faint vision, often leading tob1indness.

This . disease spreads when water becomesscarce, and at the beginning of monsoon, whenhouse flies become very common. Clothes used bytrachoma patients when coming into contact withother people also cause spreading of thisdisease.

1"IIriiiiIiiIiiiiiiiIiii

36

PREVENTIVE MEAURESKeep your body and eyes clean every day by

using sufficiently clean water. Health is :,apersonal wealth. To maintain good health is eachone's own responsibility. Let us work together tobuild a healthy nation.

I

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I

37

CHAPTER 9

WATER SUPPLY SCHEMESJaju JacobPadmanabhan Nair

AND ITS MAINTENANCE

l.The basis of the success of any programme isscientific design, operation and maintenance. Thequantum of benefit derived by a consumer fromwater supply is based on the scientific design,and its efficient operation and maintenance.

2. The Government works with a goal to prvidewater supply to everyone as quickly as possible.Water supply systems suitable to thepeculiarities of Kerala can be classified intotwo :

a) Water supply schemes tapping ground water, andb) Water supply schemes using surface water.

GROUND WATER WATER SUPPLY SCHEMES

Ground water for water supply is collectedin two ways.1. Through Infiltration Galleries2. Through we 11s.

GROUND WATER COLLECTION THROUGHGALLERIES

INFILTRATION

distributedor a chain

attotoof

collect groundclean and pure

Tunnels (which are huge pipes withforations) are laid in sub-soil layers in such

a way that water alone is tapped. The slopes ofthese tunne1sCpipes) are used to collect watera convenient location from which it is pumpedthe surface level. It is thenwater supply systems. A gallerygalleries may be constructed towater. The water thus collected isbecause it passes through sand and gravel duringits journey. However tests are conducted toexamine the quality of the water and purifyfurther if required, before distribution.

GROUND WATER COLLECTION THROUGH WELLS

Rain water seeps through the earth and stepsat a layer of soil which does not let water seepthrough any further. The layers which allowseepage of water are porus layers and those whichdo not are impervious layers. While diggingwells, water is struck when digging reaches theimpervious layer.

IIIIIIIIIIII1IIIIIIIIIII

38

WELLS AND BORE WELLS.r,1!),.;,,; ; :.;,,..(*„,' .. I1 y-'F'rf.;'^"^/''/"*

Depending on the method of construction,wells can be classified as ordinary wells andbore wells. Ordinary wells can further beclassified as Deep Wells and Shallow wells,depending on depth of the impervious layer atwhich water is struck~.

SHALLOW WELL

While digging wells, if water is struck atthe first impervious layer, this well is called ajshallow well. Water found in this layer mayjcontain dirt. Therefore water from such wellsirequires purification. Most wells found in ourcountry are shallow wells.

DEEP WELL

Rain water which seeps through layers ofsoil sometimes reaches upto the second or thethird impervious layer. Therefore, water struckat - the second or deeper layers is called Deepwell water and such wells, Deep wells.

MEASURES TO PROTECT WELL WATER.

Wells shold be dug at least 15 metres awayfrom latrines, stables, compost yards etc.If Wells are to be dug in slopy terrain,they should be dug at higher levels.There should be a wall around the well.Build a platform around the well and makedrainage provisions for runoff water.Use only one set of rope and bucket tocollect water fromm the well.It is safe and better to lift well water byusing pumps.Do not bathe, wash domestic animals, orclothes near a well.It is good to have a protective net coverfor we 1 15.Plaster the interior of the well upto atleast 20 feet from the surface.Chlorinate wells at regular intervals.

Special care shouldsurrpoundings of pump,clean.

be taken to keep thetap and gallery always

Depending on the depth of the surface ofwater level and the r.w.-.ber of people who fetchwater from the well, the choice between pump anda set of rope and bucket Is left to theconvenience of the consumwrs. Pumps can be of twotypes: hand pumps and electric pumps.

IIIIIIIIIIII

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-.,::. ... -. .. ..,,.:. 39 . .......

The operation ' "and Maintenance ^'of- handoperated pumps are simple and easy.

Electric pumps are operated with the help ofan electric motor and their maintenance isrelatively complex.

Maintenance of pumps can be classified intothree.1. Simple maintenance that can be performed by atrained consumer2. Repairs that require services of a trainedmechanic, and3. Repairs to be undertaken by an expert.

WATER SUPPLY USING SURFACE WATER

Sources of surface water are rivers, lakes,ponds and streams. Water from such sources can beused in two ways.1. Collect water by building galleries at thesource of the surface water, purify and supply.2. Reach surface water to a purification plantand supply. Urban water supply schemes mostlyfollow this method of collection, purificationand distribution.

PURIFICATION PROCESS OF WATER.

If water has iron content, it is subjectedto a process called Aeration.

The next step is Sedimentation. Large andinsoluble particles are left in a tank for aspecified duration of. tim« anrf then dissolved.Then less dense particles in the water aretreated^with a mixture of Alum and Calcium andleft for Sedimentation.

Water is then filtered by passing waterthrough a filter of sand and gravel.

The bottom of the Sedimentation plant has tobe cleared occassionally and the filter clearedof dirt.

Pumps may have to be used as required by thes i tuat ions.

PURIFICATION

Water collected from wells and filteredshould be subjected to purification orchlorination. The amount of Chlorine that is tobe used for purification can be determinedthrough experiments.

IIIIf

4III

40

CHARACTER I ST ICS OF ''•:titfii^tTi^^^^1^^^'FOR DOMESTIC PURPOSES. : ' ̂. :: "':

Standards of Physical and Chemical contents

S1. N.o Characteristics Acceptableiimit

1.2.3.4.

5.6.7.8.9.10.11.12.13.14.IS.1G

Standards

1.2.3.4.S.6.7.

Impurity ~C o l o u r -•• ••

Taste and odourSolvent minerals(ppm)Hardness(ppm)Ch1 or ides(ppm)Sulphates (ppm)Flourides (ppm)Nitrates (ppm)Calcium (ppm)Magnesium (ppm)Iron (ppm)Manganese (ppm)Copper (ppra)Zinc (ppm)Phenol (ppm)

2.55.0Nil-500

-200-200-200-1-45-75-30-0. 1-0.05-0.05-5.00-0.001

of Poisonous contents

Arsenic (ppm)Cadmium (ppm)Chromium (ppm)Cyanide (ppm)Car ium (ppm)Se1enium (ppm)Mercury (ppm)

0.0.0.0.

• •••• ' • •• • • • • o .

0.0.

05010505101001

STANDARDS OF RADIATION

Total Alpha radiation (Picocurie/1tr) 3Total Beta radiation (Picocurie/1tr) 30

STANDARDS OF BACTERIAL STANDARDS

1. ln a sample of 100 ml, there should be noE-Coli bacteria.2. In a sample of 100 ml, there should be notmore than 3 Coliform bacteria3. No Coliform bacteria in two consecutivesamp 1es of 100 ml.

STANDARDS OF VIRUS

Ensure presence of a residue 0.5 in areassuspected or presence of virus, and 0.2 in areaswhich are free from virus. 0.5 portion ofchlorine in a million portions of polluted wateris capable of destroying all viruses.

IIIJIIIIIIIIII

Al

Quality controlled water after pur ificationprocesses is distributed through water supplysystems.

SUBJECT WELLS AND PIPES TO DECONTAMINATION

New and renovated wells should be de-contaminated by chlorination. Chlorine which 40to 50 portions in a million Is used for this.

DUG WELLS

Remove all the left over materials used forconstruction of the well and chlorinate the wellusing 50 parts in a million Chlorine forpurification of the well water for use. Continuepumping of water from the well until waterbecomes absolutely clear. Once the well is fullwith clean water, chlorinate the well once againand then wait for 24 hours. This process can becarried once again if additional purification isfelt as necessary.

PURIFYING USED WELLS

Aassess the quanti.ty ofThe following formula is used

3.14xd2xh = 1000 ltrs

water infor this

the wel1purpose.

HOW TO MIX WELL WATER WITH BLEACHING POWDER

Depending on the quantity of the the waterin the well, take bleaching powder in a bucket ,mix it with some water to make a paste. Add threequarter portion of water to be mixed with thispaste, stir the solution for some time, waituntil the solution is completely sedimented. Tiethis bucket full of bleaching powder solution

to the level of the surface of the wellIt takes 30 minutes for the water to react

water in the well. After this the wei1safe for drinking and other domestic

downwaterwith thewater isuses.

BORE WELLS

Pump out the well water completely with atest pump,until the water in the well becomesclear. Remove testing equipment and thenchlorinate the well water as is done for otherordinary wells. Water from Bore wells are usable24 hours after chlorination or purification.

4 2

P I P E S ..;., .•!-., ,. • . .,.;,: : : . : e f : - , : - - : w . ; : , : : r - ' . ; , . , v , . . ;,;..;/. : •••. . • ..•.••;

New and renovated pipes need topurified/decontaminated before using water fromthis source. Use 10 parts in a million chlorinefor chlorination of pipes. Water supply can start24 hours after the purification of pipes. Confirmlevel of presence jaf Chlorine in pipewater toacoepteable limits before starting water supplythrough pipes. Excessive Chlorination can alsocause health problems.

QUALITY CONTROL

The water used for drinking has to be testedquite frequently. This has to be carried outatleast once a week. Quality of water can beascertained by testing samples regularly at thePublic Health Laboratories or the Water Analyst'sLaboratory.

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43

CHAPTER 10

WATER SUPPLY - VARIOUS SYSTEMS.

George Varghese

Water that we get from different sourcescannot be directly, used. It may contain a lotmore dirt than we think. Water is supplied onlyafter determining the quantity of dirt and takingenough measures to purify the water meant formass consumption. This chapter deals with a fewcommon water supply systems.

HAND PUMP

Water that we get from wells and hand pumpsis relatively clean compared to water from otherwater supply systems because well and pump waterare ground water.

Hand pumps are of different kinds. Rural', hand pumps are the main source of water to therural population in our country. A G I Pipefitted with a strainer fixed at the bottomreaches the surface of ground water . This pipewhen fitted with a pump is the basis of a handpump. When a handle is fitted water can be liftedand co11ected.

We have to be careful to keep water from thehand pump clean. The pump should be on a platformmade of cement. There should be a drain forexcess water run-off. Do not let waste water orgarbage gather upto 10 metres around the handpump. Before fixing the pump, water in the wellshould be scientifically chlorinated. Keep thewell and surroundings always clean.

Depending upon the quality of the groundwater, nature of soil and the quality of thestrainer at the bottom of the pipe, the life of ahand pump can stretch to 10 years. Replacing thestrainer will add to the life of the hand pump.

DEEP BORE WELLS.

Ground water available at a very deep levelunderground is tapped through deep bore weils.The digging of such wells is done with the helpof machines. This is a relatively expensivesystem. Water supply systems that use waterlifted to surface using electric pumps have alsobc;r implemented. This system usss a pipeddistribution network. Since water is madeavailable from ground water sources, this can bea permanent source of water. The variations in

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44

.rain ;watsr dp .not.. . really...affect this =ywater supply.1' ' '/ « • ' - • • • . - . , •

5 t 3 ill O f

PUBLIC STANDPOSTS

Public standposts are built with a view toprovide safe water to people below the povertyline. Public standposts are fixed at places wherethere are at least twenty households with noo'ther source of water supply. One standpostshould benefit atleast 200 people. Publicstandposts are fixed at places where water is1 east availabi1e.

Water reaches public standposts after anumber of purification processes. It is indeed ablessing to get costly clean water for no cost atall. We must be extremely careful to not misusewater thus available. This water should not beused for any other purpose than drinking, cookingand bathing. Public standpost should be treatedas their own by each beneficiary.

Just because one does not pay for water madeavailable through public standposts, one must notconclude that one gets it for free. The localself government bodies pay for such benefits. Thelocal self government bodies pay every year, forwater recieved through each tap amount rangingfrom Rs.1000/- to 1500/-. A panchayat havingapproximately 100 taps pays to KWA something likeRs 1 lakh to Rs 1.5 lakhs in this respect. Thisfact reminds us why we should not misuse waterfrom standposts.

COMMUNITY TAPS

In effect,Community taps are also publictaps. But these taps are meant to benefit the low-income group more than those who live in thebelow poverty line group. One portion of the costof water consumed is paid by the consumersthemselves. Each Community tap will have 3 to 10families as beneficiaries. Remember that it wasmentioned earlier that a Public Standpost shouldbe used by at least 20 households. Community tapsare fixed in places where the possibility offixing public standposts are ruhouseholds do not exist in thatneeds can take water from a pub 1ic standpost. Butonly those who have applied for and have beenpermitted to collect water from community tapscan benefit from these taps. This is because theyare the ones who ultimately have to pay i(?f thewater taken from these taps.

led out because 20area. Anybody who

45

A tap that is supposed to meet therequirements of say, 10 households calls for aper household expense of Rs.7.50 per year whichmeans Rs.75 from 10 households for one year forone tap. To avail •benefits of a Community tap,there are set procedures and norms. The 10households which apply for a tap connectionshould make the request in one application. Thisapplication should include a signed undertakingwhich agrees to the conditions of benefittingfrom a community tap. The tap will be fixed in acommon place acceptable and convenient to allbeneficiaries. A Tap Committee consisting ofrepresentatives from each household isestablished. The supervisor of the committee isresponsible for collecting and remitting watercharges pertaining to the Community Tap. TheCommunity tap committee is authorised to takeaction against defaulters of the conditionsagreed upon in the original application.

HOUSEHOLD TAPS

The high and middlehave been identifieddifficulty in paying for waterTherefore it is not fair thatwater meant to serve the needspoor people's groups. It is

income groups of peopleas those having no

that they consume,they make use ofof low income and

alwavs better thatthose who can afford make use of privatehousehold connections. The procedure forobtaining private tap connections is to go to thenearest KWA office, apply for a privateconnection. If there is an existing pipelinerunning by the applicant's residence, hisconnection can be provided without much delay.Once we have the permission to avail of a privateconnection, we can make use of a licenced plumberto fix up pipelines and connections within thehouse. It may cost upto say, Rs.2000/- to get aprivate tap connection. This includes Rs. 500/-as service charges and Rs.300/- which will be thecost of the water meter. Meter box, valves, piesetc., will be additional. The cost increases as

pipes and its length increases.private connection, it is easy toconsumption with the help of the

number ofwe have aout the

theOncefindwater meter. The consumer will have to pay watercharges according to the consumption of water..The rates of water charges need not be the samein all places.

We should always keep in mind that water isa commodity for which we pay money. Water fromprivate connections should also be used fordomestic purposes only. Piped water is costly.Since water is the basic element of life, every

IM

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drop of water counts. To conserve drinking wateris every citizen's duty.

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4 7

CHAPTER 11

SANITARYR.Suresh

LATRINES

Kerala is the most densely populated state, in India. Keralites have been using more and morewater for their day-to-day activities. Wastewater and garbage disposed by people living in

! densely populated areas causes water pollution.

Human excreta contains plenty of disease-causing germs and hence it is something to behandled with utmost care. This means that humanexcreta must be disposed in such a way that thngerms that come with it do not cause any harm tothe health of human beings. Latrine is one suchfacility which ensures hygiene. Each familyshould have a safe latrine.

Theof spacedispose ofbecause ofsurroundingsday 'by day.there may beno place to

increasing population creates shortage"Slature has been losing its ability to

waste through its usual processesthe load on the system. Ourare being polluted more and moreIf things continue at this rate,

a time when our children will haveplay or grow up in. Kerala is famous

the world over for its natural beauty. We mayhave to hang our heads in shame if open airdefecation continues, and if in the year 2000,people start asking "What happened to Kerala"?

Let us, in this chapter think about anappropriate latrine design, suitable for Kera1 a.

SELECTING A LATRINE

Latrines are of different types. Each one isfree to decide upon the most suitable typeaccording to his financial and environmentalbackground. It is important to • see that ourrequirements meet the following conditions whenselecting the type of latrine that we want.

1. It is effective and meets requirements.2. It should be acceptable to the beneficiary

and it daes not offend one's beliefs andtraditions.

3. The construction should make use of localexpertise and raw materials.

4. Should be an efficient &„••:: taw.5. Construction should be simple.6. Construction cost should be low.

48 / • . • ' • ; • . . . • • • • > . • • • • • • > • • ; / : , ^ ] : ' -

Models acceptable to some people may not beacceptable to some others. Generally speaking, itis not very difficult to explain and makeKeralites understand the need for latrines. Anyinnovation is acceptable to people as long as itdoes not offend their present living style.Keralites are not averse to the idea of makinguse of latrines a habit, since they all agreethat cleanliness should be part of daily life.Finance, is the most difficult aspect of thisprogramme. There are many on-going sanitationprojects in Kerala. The success of these projectscan be guaranteed only if there is sufficientPeople's participation and the required funds. Atthis juncture it is necessary to think of adesign that can put to use the many Jocallyavailable low-cost raw materials and labour. Thiswill make the latrine affordable by the people.

Various technical aspects affect theefficiency of latrines. The nature of soil is oneof the important ones. While constructinglatrines on loose soil, pits should be lined withlaterite or such other materials. Leachingcharacteristics of the soil is also equallyimportant. These aspects have been causing a lotof problems during construction of latrines inmany places. Coastal areas have soil .which hasbetter leaching capacity but the soil is tooloose to keep a pit in shape. Hill areas havevery tight soil where very little or no leachingtakes place.

The high water level in low terrains ofKerala is another problem that has to be facedwhile constructing latrines. It is virtuallyimpossible to make latrines where the water levelis not more than one metre below surface. Loosesoil not only poses problems to the strength ofthe the pit but also creates problems ofpollution to drinking water sources close by.

Space shortage in Kerala is yet anotherproblem faced during latrine construction. Thehigh density of population further reduces thespace available for latrine construction. Closelyconstructed latrines can cause pollution to thewells existing nearby. It is virtually impossibleto construct low-cost latrines in places wherethe population per acre of land is more than 120.There should be a minimum of 16 sq.ft. C4.5 x3.5) for a single pit latrine. A twin-pit latrinerequires a minimum of 40 sq.ft. (9 x 4.5).

It is assumed that Kerala has sufficiantwater for use in latrines. In places where waterscarcity is a possibility, changes in the design

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49

have to be made.

There are certain important paints that we,as beneficiaries of the scientificallyconstructed latrines, have to remember all thetime. No sanitation programme can succeed unlessproper maintenence" is. carried out. Thereforelocal self government bodies and thebeneficiaries have to be trained in the operationand maintenence of sanitary latrines. This meansthat the success of a sanitation programme doesnot rest only with the successful technicalexecution of the construction of such latrines.Beneficiaries have to be trained in the operationand maintenance of sanitary latrines, keeping inview, their demands and traditions.

SANITARY LATRINES FOR RURAL KERALA

Urban areas have a latrine which has acistern to flush away disposed excreta. This isvery expensive and requires plenty of water.Therefore it is suitable only to places wherethere is a water supply system. Ther.e is anothertype of latrine which requires relatively littlewater and can be flushed by pouring water intothe pan. What is common to these two types ofatrines is that both systems have water seals.

Water seal is the most important part of thelatrine because this prevents foul order andgerms from entering the bowl from the pit. Waterseal separates the pan from the pit. Pour-flushlatrines are also of two types. Single pit andtwin-pit. v

Pan and water seal can bepit which, once full, needs tolime. In the meantime anotheruntil the contents of the firstcompletely chemically degraded. Afterthe contents of this pit turns intofertilisers which can be taken out forpurposes.

fixed abovebe coveredpit may be

pitsomeharm

thewithusedare

timeess

suitable

The twin-pit latrine, on the other hand,uses the two pits alternately. The 'Y'-shapedjunction box built between the pan and the pitsis a very important part of this type of latrine.The twin pit latrine is a permanent system.There are two kinds of processes going on insidethe pit. The water and the water content ofexcreta inside the pit leaches into thesurrounding soil and the gerrms are also killedby natural process. The amount of excreta' isreduced largely and the gaseous contents evolvedin the process are also absorbed by the soilaround.

50

* • •

the numerous advantages of the pour-rlush latrines, it a'so h — e n , w • J u.-P. , . «*._-• n ^ some disadvantages.The d r a m pipe could be blocked by ary lar*ematerial that might fall into the pan. T M s h^sto be made clear to the ber.ef eciar ies. Theconstruction cost of these latrines can be veryhigh xn places where the ground water level i s

high. Small plot-owners" also have a potentialhealth related problem. Waste-water from latrines

S a ? rP ° i 1 U * : * d r i n k l n g WatSr s o u r c e s nearby. Only

we » thought-out designs, designed by experts canhelp overcome all these problems.