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| From veil to village |
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Check dams:
Storage of water |
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| Paying for water |
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| All we need
is clean water |
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waste and sewage. They decided to clean
up the village every Sunday between 2-3 pm. WASMO provided
dustbins to replace the discarded oil drums that the women were
using. Every household was encouraged to construct soak pits and
toilets. |
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| As their fame spread, these women pani
samiti members were invited by All India Radio, Rajkot, to share
their experiences in the Gam-no-choro programme. Once a village
whose representatives visited other villages for inspiration,
Bubvana soon became a source of inspiration for others to
follow. |
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| Airing of
Pani Samiti's experiences
Pani Samiti members: Bubvana Village |
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| Meanwhile, Sudadhro Moti village in
Abdasa taluka has the unique distinction of having an all-women
pani samiti. There are eight women members, all belonging to
different castes. "We are all one," they say. |
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| Sudadhro Moti is a village in Abdasa
taluka, the driest and most backward region of Kutch. The burden
of fetching water rests with village women and girls. Many
explain that as water is the "women's responsibility," their
involvement is necessary in all stages of the water supply
scheme. Poorbai feels that the pani samiti not only gave women a
platform to raise their concerns about water problems, but also
brought them decision-making power, which they did not have
earlier. "Such opportunities instill confidence in us. We
realise that women too can make a difference," says Vijayaben of
the pani samiti. |
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| Pani samiti president Sarubai adds, "I
want to fulfill my responsibility as a pani samiti member, so
that younger generations in this village know the value of water
and treasure it.” |
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A check-dam constructed on the Bhokhu
river near Godhra has rejuvenated dry wells and improved
groundwater quality. |
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| Rainwater
Harvesting : Enhancing groundwater recharging |
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Godhra village, in Mandvi block of Kutch
district, has approximately 350 households with an
agricultural and migrant economy. Prior to the implementation of
the ERR project, the main source of drinking water was a
bore-well. The water quality was poor due to a high level of
total dissolved solids (TDS), and on top of that, the
groundwater table was also declining. Although the houses had
individual water connections, the taps generally did not run for
the past eight years. As a consequence, the villagers had
started consuming drinking water from the village pond which was
also of poor quality. |
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Under the project, a 1.5 lakh litre
elevated storage reservoir, a pump house and snanghat (washing
and bathing area) were constructed. A pond near the bore-well
water source was deepened. The bed of the Bhokhi river flowing
near the village was deepened and a check-dam constructed.
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According to Pani Samiti president,
Salimbhai, “The water quality has improved due to groundwater
recharge after the construction of the check-dam. The water is
regularly tested for TDS. Before construction of the check dam,
the TDS level in the bore-well was 2,400. This value has now
dropped down to 150. The level of the water has also increased
from 300-400 feet to 200 feet. For the last 8-10 years we had
water shortage problems, especially in the summer. This summer
there should be no problem.” Informs Kesoji Ganjii, pani samiti
member and farmer: “Two dry wells on my farmland have been
recharged and are giving water, even in March.” |
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| Only one monsoon has passed after the
water conservation measures were completed. The impact is
already visible. |
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Rural communities could teach their
urban cousins a lesson or two in paying for the drinking water
they consume. In some villages well-defined water tariffs are
being paid by users and penalties have been fixed for
defaulters. In others the tariff has been set and dues will be
collected in the near future. |
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Arresting water through check dam for
ground water recharge |
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Villager operating and maintaining
his own water supply system |
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| The need for having a water tariff
structure is explained as part of the operations and maintenance
(O & M) training. During these training sessions, pani samiti
members along with villagers are encouraged to list out
activities needed for O & M of the water distribution network
and likely expenditure to be incurred. After putting a price on
these, Pani Samiti members estimate the annual fund requirement
and arrive at the tariff rate which is then ratified in the gram
sabha. Receipts are issued and a register for payments
maintained. Pani Samiti / Gram panchayat issues receipts of
tariff collected and maintains a register for recording the
same. |
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Interestingly, the tariff and payment
schedule as well as the basis for arriving at the same varies
from village to village as shown below: |
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In Gadpadar
village Rs 50 per household is collected annually.
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In Payarka,
Rs 50 per household is collected on a half-yearly
basis. |
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In Nana
Tharvada and Gada, the quarterly water tariff has been
set at Rs 40 per household. |
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In Ajarakpur, Rs 50 per
household is collected monthly and includes the
water used for sanitation. |
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In Pursarvandh, Rs 60 is
collected monthly. Failure to pay for
three months warrants disconnection. Reconnection
charges have been fixed at Rs 100. |
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In Nokhaniya, Rs 5 per
person is collected every month. |
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In Nani Virani, Rs 5 is
collected per person per month and includes water
used for sanitation. |
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In Tragadi, Rs 5 per person
is the rate for household connections and Rs 3 per
person in case the water is collected from the stand
post. A fine of Rs 50 is levied for failing to pay
by the 10th of every month. |
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In Naranpur and Gauripur, Rs
30 per household is collected every month by women
SHG members. |
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In Nani Undot, Rs 3 per
person is collected every month. New household
connections are available on payment of Rs 100. |
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In Pipari, the monthly water
tariff has been set at Rs 8 per person for
household connections and Rs 3 per person for
water from the stand-post. New household
connections cost Rs 1,000. |
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In Filon: Rs 10 per
connection for pucca houses; Rs 5 per connection for
kacha house; Rs 3 per family for families fetching
water from stand posts. Fines are imposed after the
5th of every month in case of non-payment. |
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All we need
is clean water |
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As part of the ERR project, WASMO and
the Implementation Support Agencies (ISAs) made concerted
efforts to inform the village community about the necessity of
consuming safe water and how water quality could be maintained.
Having experienced the availability of safe water through this
project, villagers now settle for nothing less. |
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Today, the villagers themselves admit
that the availability of safe drinking water has reduced incidences
of water-borne diseases. Personal hygiene has improved since
water for bathing is now also available. According to Karmiben,
Pani Samiti member from Filon village in Mandvi taluka, "The
greatest impact has been on health. Earlier, fever and stomach
ailments were exceedingly common among children. This has now
declined. We now realize the importance of clean water. All of
us use the strainer and ladle that has been provided to us.” She
shudders at the thought of consuming dirty water again. |
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In Gadpadar village of Bhuj taluka, 75
year-old Chauthabapa Ruda Ahir confirms," Water is available at
the house itself and is now clean. The people have started
putting a cloth filter on the tap. Diseases like eye infections,
fever and stomach ailments have come down.” |
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Valbai Sumar from the remote village of
Payarka in Bhuj taluka echoes the same sentiments as she fills
water from the stand post, “Earlier there used to be severe
fever and stomach ailments. These have now declined." |
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