Queries...

By Gram Vikas Posted on Wed 13 Dec 2006, over 19 years ago

We were interested in knowing in how many villages has such a project been implemented before? Has the monthly water tax system worked in those places?

If water can be given on stand posts, with a little incremental costs (and massive incremental benefits), surely piped water supply to the homes is possible too...?

What about sanitation? Unhygenic sanitary practices by 60% of the families will not leave any local water source uncontaminated. Why not also attempt total sanitation?

Queries...

By Watershed Organization Trust Posted on Wed 13 Dec 2006, over 19 years ago

1. So far we have completed 5 drinking water projects under BPR out of which 3 have been completed and 2 are nearing completion.
In these 3 completed projects, after the completion of the activity it has been handed over to the Gram Panchyat for the operation as well as for the maintenance. The water tax is being collected by the Gram Panchayat on a yearly basis for which the SMS and Water Committee assists them to collect the water charges.

After the experience gained through the implementation of these projects, we realized that after completion of the project the people should manage and run the project by themselves. Therefore, we have developed a new model of the revenue cost in which the village community should agree from the beginning that they will have to pay fixed charges per annum. Very often it is difficult to pay the entire amount at once; hence they should know what the monthly charges are. It is decision of the people whether to collect on a monthly or quarterly basis.

But regarding the two projects we have insisted the people that they should collect at least one years maintenance cost before the initiation of the project. Both the villages have already collected the water charges in advance.

2. Yes, we do agree with your opinion. From above ongoing two projects in one village all the families have taken independent tap connections (160 connections) to their homes with their own cost. But in another village it is not possible, as the houses are scattered and most of the people live in their fields. Wherever possible, the tap connection can be given to individual houses.

3. In the initial stage, we have focused to provide the safe drinking water to the community. We are in process of planning sanitation in the village on a larger scale.
At the same time our focus is to educate the village community especially the women in preventive health care, reduction in water borne diseases and adoption of good hygienic practices by the village community.

Do let us know if you require further information.

best wishes