plan 548Integrated Drinking Water Project in four tribal hamlets of Gogunda Cluster, Block Gogunda, Dist. Udaipur in Rajasthan State

Summary

The proposed project will be implemented in Udaipur dist. of Rajasthan in 4 tribal hamlets in Gogunda block. The villages chosen for implementation are remote, backward and are inhabited by an overwhelming majority of poor tribal (Bhil and Gameti) people.

Background

All the selected villages being in the remote areas, very few government programs have been implemented. These villages are primarily rain dependent, degraded and given the nature of the monsoons are highly vulnerable. As such all the villages and the inhabitants are in urgent need of stabilization, rehabilitation and empowerment. Around 86% (Cultivators - 74.95 and Agricultural labourers - 11.51) of the total working population is agriculture dependent, which is insufficient to support their families. Therefore, 75% families migrate in nearby areas in search of work as wage laborers. Because of the remoteness it is neglected by the Govt. departments for development.

These villages settled within the Aravali mountain ranges are scattered into small hamlets of around 30-60 households each, which is a typical situation. Therefore, implementation of any development initiative is a challenge. The villages are Modwa (Hamlet Chowda Fala – 45 families), Morwal village (60 families); Village Malariya – (100 families) and village Chhali (Hamlet Thoriya Bhilwara – 60 families) where we intend to implement the community managed solar operated drinking water system.
Since the area come under the drought prone area and receive low and erratic rainfall. Therefore the people from this area face acute drinking water problem especially in summer.

The major source of drinking water in this area is hand bore pumps and open wells. However, in all identified four hamlets, the borewell handpumps are not functional due to break down of the hand pumps or poor water yielding especially in the summer months. Therefore, at present the women fetch the drinking water from either open wells or handpumps from far distance. As women are linked with this activity, they have to spend more time travelling long distances from their houses to source of drinking water. The situation gets even worse during summer season when the water is less and there are long queues for collecting drinking water from one available source.

A few families who do not have access to a nearby bore well have to drink water from the well water, which is also shared by animals making the water source contaminated. These wells run dry in summer and people have to fetch drinking water at the distance of one to two km. from the common hand pump located in the main village. Each year women and young girls have to struggle for 3-4 hours each day just to fetch drinking water for household consumption. In order to solve the drinking water problem of these hamlet and villages, the drinking water supply scheme is proposed so that water is available near to their settlement.

The assured water source will be identified through hydrological investigation and new borewell will be drilled and the solar operated pump will be installed for lifting of the water, Generally in this area the existing borewells are around 250 ft deep or more.

The communities from these hamlets have decided to solve the drinking water problem through their initiative. They have approached WOTR to support the drinking water project.

The project's village latitude and longitude details are as follows :
i. Morval : Lat (N) - 24 deg 37.134' ; Long (E) - 73 deg 27.844'
ii. Modwa: Lat (N) - 24 deg 39.237' ; Long (E) - 73 deg 28.634'
iii. Malariya : Lat (N) - 24 deg 37.507' ; Long (E) - 73 deg 30.685'
iv. Thoriya Bhilwada : Lat (N) - 24 deg 37.963' ; Long (E) - 73 deg 30.641'

Location

Dist. Udaipur, Block Gogunda, Rajasthan, India

Attachments

  • Revenue_...
  • Budget_B...
  • communit...
  • DSC01852...
  • Malariya...
  • Malariya...
  • Modwa_1_...
  • Morwal_3...
  • Morwal_4...
  • 1 participant | show more

    Feedback

    Jenna Saldaña of El Porvenir

    Hi there, I'm surprised to read in your opening paragraph that you call the villages "backward." You later write that they "have decided to solve the...problem through their initiative." That sounds rather forward thinking to me. I'm glad to read that there will also be an effort to rehabilitate the latrines. If the weather is not s...

    Hi there,
    I'm surprised to read in your opening paragraph that you call the villages "backward." You later write that they "have decided to solve the...problem through their initiative." That sounds rather forward thinking to me.

    I'm glad to read that there will also be an effort to rehabilitate the latrines.

    If the weather is not sunny, how many hours/days would the water in the storage tank last? If the solar pump breaks, how long would it take to replace it and what would the people do while it is not in service? You also write that the agricultural land is mainly rain-fed, so it seems like there is significant rainfall?

    Is there a previous relationship with the people here? Would the funds be released in stages? Or will the full project amount be released to the water committee's bank account? What kind of oversight do you have to be sure the funds are spent according to the budget? I didn't notice a mention of someone to be employed until I looked at the attachments. How is this person selected? Does s/he live in the community?

    You mention a few times "different govt. schemes." Are these other projects you are leading? Or unrelated to this project?

    You use a lot of acronyms, and I found it hard to follow all of them. I would suggest writing out the less commonly known acronyms at the beginning of each section so the reader can refer back to it without tabbing through multiple pages.

    Thank you, and I look forward to your reply.
    Jenna

  • 1 participant | show more

    2nd Ans of Jenna Saldana of EL Porvenir

    Thomas Palgadhmal of Watershed Organization Trust

    Dear Jenna, Thanks for your mail and queries. I am sorry for not giving the abbreviations for the acronyms. SHGs stand for Self help Groups. You must be familiar with the SHG concept. PRA means Participatory Rural Appraisal. It is tool to involve the people in planning process. It is intended to enable local communities to conduct thei...

    Dear Jenna,
    Thanks for your mail and queries. I am sorry for not giving the abbreviations for the acronyms.
    SHGs stand for Self help Groups. You must be familiar with the SHG concept.
    PRA means Participatory Rural Appraisal. It is tool to involve the people in planning process. It is intended to enable local communities to conduct their own analysis to plan and take action towards improving their own situation.
    BPL means Below Poverty Line.
    NRM project means Natural Resource Management. We are mainly engaged in promoting and implementing NRM based Watershed Development projects in six states of India.
    Releases of funds: After sanctioning of the project, more focus will be given on the community mobilization / organization and awareness generation about the drinking water project. This will be done through more frequent visits, rapport building, general body meetings, focused group discussions, door to door visits and conducting SHGs meetings and trainings etc.
    As explained in the proposal the Water Committee will be responsible for the implementation of the project. It will be main actor and implementer of the project. After sanction the project they will have to open the bank account with co signatory from the WOTR staff. The implementation of the project will be done under the supervision and control of the WOTR staff. This is the policy of the WOTR while implementing all kind of projects. The people should take the responsibility of the quality work and fund management which will lead to ensure the transparency, ownership and sustainability of the project. Otherwise there will be no difference in Government implemented projects and in our projects.
    We will replace the word ‘Backward’ with Vulnerable
    The present prevailing rate of drilling bore well is about Rs. 75 per feet ($1.29) therefore the drilling cost is $388.
    The repairs and maintenance: The village community will be trained to take care of the solar panel. One staff/mechanic from government hand pump maintenance workshop will be trained by the solar company and some spare parts of pump will be kept with the Committee. In major problems, the solar pump could be repaired in 6-8 days and not in hours.( It is typing mistake). Now the solar system has hybrid system i.e. even though the solar system failure, the hand pump can be used manually.
    Thanks and Regards,
    Thomas

  • 2 participants | show more

    the explanation to your quires

    Thomas Palgadhmal of Watershed Organization Trust

    Dear Jenna, Thanks for your comments, the explanation to your quires is as follows : Q. 1 I'm surprised to read in your opening paragraph that you call the villages "backward." You later write that they "have decided to solve the...problem through their initiative." That sounds rather forward thinking to me. Ans. 1 We have be...

    Dear Jenna,

    Thanks for your comments, the explanation to your quires is as follows :

    Q. 1
    I'm surprised to read in your opening paragraph that you call the villages "backward." You later write that they "have decided to solve the...problem through their initiative." That sounds rather forward thinking to me.

    Ans. 1
    We have been working in the nearby villages on watershed management for last five years. People in the proposed DRINKING WATER project area have witnessed the way we work with people. Looking at the impacts people have got through self initiative from the watershed managed villages has motivated people in the proposed DRINKING WATER villages to take up initiative and solve their drinking water problem!

    Q.2
    I'm glad to read that there will also be an effort to rehabilitate the latrines.
    If the weather is not sunny, how many hours/days would the water in the storage tank last?

    Ans.2
    The rainy season in the proposed DRINKING WATER villages is for four months, i.e. from June to Sep. The total rainy days are only 26 in the whole year. Therefore there is ample of sun shine days in the year, with temperatures reaching 45 deg. Celsius. during summer seasons. The capacity of the water storage tank is designed in such a way that it will be sufficient for small number of families.

    Q.3
    If the solar pump breaks, how long would it take to replace it and what would the people do while it is not in service?

    Ans.3
    The unit is such that even if solar pump does not work, the people will still have option of lifting water with the hand pump. The solar pump can be repaired within 6-8 hours if break down.

    Q.4.
    You also write that the agricultural land is mainly rain-fed, so it seems like there is significant rainfall?

    Ans. 4
    The area is mountainous, hence highly undulating. The major crop is maize, which is rain dependent. The average rainfall in the area is 600 mm. which is highly erratic.

    Q. 5
    Is there a previous relationship with the people here? Would the funds be released in stages? Or will the full project amount be released to the water committee's bank account? What kind of oversight do you have to be sure the funds are spent according to the budget? I didn't notice a mention of someone to be employed until I looked at the attachments. How is this person selected? Does s/he live in the community?

    Ans. 5
    As such there is no direct relationship in the DRINKING WATER villages except with the "Sarpanch" (village head) and the members of the village level committees. They all have visited our watershed managed villages and have known us since then. They have been requesting us to undertake similar projects in their villages also. This is how we are known in these villages. The funds would be released to the Drinking Water Committees bank account of each village separately in two- three instalments.as per the progress of the work. Before releasing the second installment the monitoring will be conducted by the Regional Recourse Centre. The committee will have to conduct meeting and pass a resolution for withdrawal of money. WOTR staff (Engineer) will be part of this meeting to ensure the quality of work, budget requirements etc. The person who will be look after the daily operations of the solar pump will be from the village itself and will be selected by the people in the village meeting.

    Q. 6
    You mention a few times "different govt. schemes." Are these other projects you are leading? Or unrelated to this project?

    Ans. 6
    There are other Govt. schemes such as Employment Guarantee scheme & some other rural development activities. Though the area is backward and neglected by the government line departments, however because of the drinking water project, the village people will be organized and they will have regular meetings and interactions, so that they can discuss other their issues / problems. During these meetings our field staff also guides them about govt. Schemes and try to link with local village level governance.

    Q. 7
    You use a lot of acronyms, and I found it hard to follow all of them. I would suggest writing out the less commonly known acronyms at the beginning of each section so the reader can refer back to it without tabbing through multiple pages.

    Ans. 7
    We will take care to minimize usage of acronyms. If you need any details of any specific acronym, may please feel free to ask.

    Hope this explanation will satisfy your queries. If you require any more information please don’t hesitate to write.

    Thank you,
    Hemant, Co-coordinator, Regional Resource Centre, Udaypur, Rajastan.

    • Jenna Saldaña of El Porvenir

      What is the methodology for such quick repairs? I'm surprised a solar pump could be repaired in 6-8 hours. Is it a locally trained person? A circuit rider system? Replacement parts are that close by? Have you ever had a negative experience releasing sums of money to the project beneficiaries? You are transferring large sums of mone...

      What is the methodology for such quick repairs? I'm surprised a solar pump could be repaired in 6-8 hours. Is it a locally trained person? A circuit rider system? Replacement parts are that close by?

      Have you ever had a negative experience releasing sums of money to the project beneficiaries? You are transferring large sums of money to people you have had little contact with before meeting to carry out the project.

      I suspect it's a usage thing, but in an answer above you again use the word "backward." As a number of users and funders of PWX are in North America, I'd like to share with you that that is a word with a rather negative connotation here.

      I am not sure what the acronyms SHGs, NRM projects, PRA, and BPL stand for. I read all of the grant and did not see a place where they were defined. Perhaps I missed it.

      How is it that a 300 foot well only costs $388 to drill? This is a remarkably inexpensive project.

      Thank you,
      Jenna

  • 2 participants | show more

    Pump replacement and options

    Rajesh Shah of Peer Water Exchange

    Have gone thru your proposal and have a few questions. 1. Could not find distribution system (or its costs) so please expand on the water points/taps that will be available. Will they be near the OHT? If not, won't the piping to each standpost involve costs? I was looking for that in the budget. What do you estimate the distance to get...

    Have gone thru your proposal and have a few questions.

    1. Could not find distribution system (or its costs) so please expand on the water points/taps that will be available. Will they be near the OHT? If not, won't the piping to each standpost involve costs? I was looking for that in the budget.
    What do you estimate the distance to get water for the furthest family will be?

    2. You have answered time for repair to be 6 hours. What is your experience of failures? What is the average time for the first failure to happen? What is the average cost of repair? Will the savings accumulating in the fund cover the average cost of first repair at that time?

    3. You mention that there will be a backup handpump option. How close to the electric pump? The reason i am asking is that there are ways to introduce contaminants with more connections to the aquifer. Each pipe provides shortcuts (inside and outside along the casing, since the top block can never be waterproof) for air and pathogens to travel.

    4. Have you considered wind-powered pumps? Either wind->electricty->mechanical power or wind->mechanical power.

    Thanks,
    Rajesh

    • Thomas Palgadhmal of Watershed Organization Trust

      Please see the All Answer are in 'Sanitation' subject Below : Thanking you, Thomas, WOTR

      Please see the All Answer are in 'Sanitation' subject Below :

      Thanking you,

      Thomas, WOTR

  • 2 participants | show more

    Water source re-charge

    Dipti Vaghela of Team Blue

    Hi, thanks for your proposal. Can you please explain whether/how the water source will be re-charged? Who will be responsible for incorporating re-charge methods? Thank you, dipti

    Hi, thanks for your proposal. Can you please explain whether/how the water source will be re-charged? Who will be responsible for incorporating re-charge methods?

    Thank you,
    dipti

    • Thomas Palgadhmal of Watershed Organization Trust

      Dear Dipti Waghela, Thanks for your comment. The clarification is as under. In our previous response to your queries, we had mentioned that since southern Rajasthan has more rainfall i.e. about 600 mm. therefore, rainwater is generally harvested in recharge structures such as open wells and bore wells. In comparison to your desert area,...

      Dear Dipti Waghela,
      Thanks for your comment. The clarification is as under.
      In our previous response to your queries, we had mentioned that since southern Rajasthan has more rainfall i.e. about 600 mm. therefore, rainwater is generally harvested in recharge structures such as open wells and bore wells. In comparison to your desert area, the’ Roof Rainwater Harvesting System’ would not be required in southern region of Rajasthan. Generally, in order to tap the underground water in the southern region area the depth of the bore well is around 250 feet deep. It is true that the watershed development program is the solution for the drought proofing and to raise the ground water table. Therefore, while implementing the drinking water project the efforts will be made to build the capacity of the people to make them aware about the watershed works and to link with existing government schemes, such as National Employment guarantee Program to undertake the water harvesting structures to strengthen the water sources. At present out of four project villages we have selected Modhava village for implementation of the watershed development program under the other funding agency. The remaining three villages also will be selected in the next phase for watershed development by us under support of other funding agency.

      Thanking you,
      Thomas, WOTR

  • 2 participants | show more

    Water depth and pumping

    Rajesh Shah of Peer Water Exchange

    A friend who is very knowledgeable about pumps and solar power made the following observation (his in italics, mine in regular): While studying the project budget, I observed that the chosen pump is suitable for 35m total head, the storage tank height is 40ft (10.3m) and the HDPE pipe is 40 m. So, what is the expected water table dep...

    A friend who is very knowledgeable about pumps and solar power made the following observation (his in italics, mine in regular):

    While studying the project budget, I observed that the chosen pump is suitable for 35m total head, the storage tank height is 40ft (10.3m) and the HDPE pipe is 40 m. So, what is the expected water table depth? Is it less than 24m? You mention 240 feet above, so need clarification.

    Secondly, the pump is rated at 1400W, but the solar panel power is just 1380W. This will cause the pump to run at lower wattage most of the time with reduced efficiency Esp. in non-peak solar hours (morning, evenings, winter). The capex is also higher because of this.

    Thanks and best regards,
    Shrikant

    Shrikant has designed a system that uses battery stabilized lower wattage pump; the capex will reduce by Rs 15,000 to 20,000. Further, the system can support community lighting at night from the stored energy in the battery.

    We hope you will consider his system for the project.
    Rajesh

    • Thomas Palgadhmal of Watershed Organization Trust

      Dear Shrikant, We have got the specifications designed from a company which deals in such systems. Therefore I need to get the querry resolved from the company expert and then provide you with the feedback. In the mean while can you give us the details of his design and costings of his system which cater to the needs of the village people?...

      Dear Shrikant, We have got the specifications designed from a company which deals in such systems. Therefore I need to get the querry resolved from the company expert and then provide you with the feedback. In the mean while can you give us the details of his design and costings of his system which cater to the needs of the village people?

  • 3 participants | show more

    Bore well vs rainwater

    GRAVIS Jodhpur of GRAVIS

    Thanks for your proposal, very innovative and interesting. Our question is on the basic approach that you have taken up. Why do you think a bore well will be more effective then rainwater harvesting. Coming from the same state, we have that opinion. GRAVIS

    Thanks for your proposal, very innovative and interesting. Our question is on the basic approach that you have taken up. Why do you think a bore well will be more effective then rainwater harvesting. Coming from the same state, we have that opinion.

    GRAVIS

    • Thomas Palgadhmal of Watershed Organization Trust

      Dear Gravis – Thank for your queries, your queries explanation is as follow : Let us understand the basic difference between your area, which is a desert area and the southern Rajasthan, which is hilly area. The rainfall in desert region is around 150 mm and rainwater is harvested usually by collecting it in the Tankas for domestic pu...

      Dear Gravis – Thank for your queries, your queries explanation is as follow :

      Let us understand the basic difference between your area, which is a desert area and the southern Rajasthan, which is hilly area. The rainfall in desert region is around 150 mm and rainwater is harvested usually by collecting it in the Tankas for domestic purposes. Whereas in our area rainfall is around 600 mm. Rainwater is usually captured into recharge structures such as open wells and borewell. Rainwater harvesting can be done or rather should be done to harvest rainwater for maximum benefit. In our area this is done by undertaking soil and water conservation measures like farm bunding, check dams, nala bunds which is mostly subsurface. Construction of structures alike Tanks are not possible or do not traditionally suite conditions like ours. Regarding roof top rainwater harvesting, the houses are mostly of manglorean tiles or have thatched roofs wherein roof top rain water harvesting is not possible at large scale. Hence people dig bore wells at a depth of 200-300 ft for drinking water purpose as they provide comparatively potable water then open wells which are usually 40-60 ft.
      Thomas Palghadmal

    • Rajesh Shah of Peer Water Exchange

      Dear Thomas and WOTR team, When i look for annual rainfall in Udaipur i see about 700+mm. Are you having data that it is only 150mm in your hamlets? Thanks, Rajesh

      Dear Thomas and WOTR team,

      When i look for annual rainfall in Udaipur i see about 700+mm. Are you having data that it is only 150mm in your hamlets?

      Thanks,
      Rajesh

  • 3 participants | show more

    MACRO LEVEL SUSTAINABILITY ISSUES

    Saurin Shah of Team Blue

    The proposal of helping tribal people is highly appreciated. Solution suggested is surely a micro level temporary solution, which needs to be aptly implemented in case of worse case scenarios to avoid ill health for time being. However there are few question related to macro level sustainability that concerns. Solution to draw ground wa...

    The proposal of helping tribal people is highly appreciated. Solution suggested is surely a micro level temporary solution, which needs to be aptly implemented in case of worse case scenarios to avoid ill health for time being. However there are few question related to macro level sustainability that concerns.

    Solution to draw ground water will work for few months/years depending upon the rate at which ground water depletes in the region. Lot of borewells have turned useless now as the ground water level is going down at alarming rate. Such quick solutions will consume precious resources underneath which has taken ages to filter. Also we might be 'spoiling' tribal people in the short term? and then when the groundwater dries up, the situation would be even worse off. Kindly think of permanent alternatives that are local and easily buildable by local people using local material and natural resources.

    Udaipur region has better rainfall compared to other regions in Rajasthan. Please think of solution, applied in many parts of Rajasthan as well as in similar terrain situation in other parts of country, using this naturally available resource. Kindly identify, research and elaborate all possible solutions. Moreover, hilly terrain might work out to be beneficial in terms of capturing water at higher level and gravity fed to community. Test has been conducted proving rainwater has much less Hardness and TDS; and much more healthier compared to borewell water, if considered for longer period.

    Many solution in past have been employed by their forefathers locally, which needed minimal resources and local people were engaged to it, owning it and feeling responsible in case maintenance required. Please bring this wisdom back to surface and practice it holistically. With this approach, any funding that is generated from outside, will percolate into the tribal society benefiting them economically and socially. Also it will make them SELF-SUFFICIENT.

    • Rajesh Shah of Peer Water Exchange

      To supplement Saurin's observations, what needs to be mentioned is that we have not succeeded to address consumption issues. When we provide 'unlimited' and 'regular' supply people (urban, esp. and rural too) forget seasonality and start 'unsustainable' patterns of consumption. As a city dweller, it is important to point fingers at self...

      To supplement Saurin's observations, what needs to be mentioned is that we have not succeeded to address consumption issues. When we provide 'unlimited' and 'regular' supply people (urban, esp. and rural too) forget seasonality and start 'unsustainable' patterns of consumption.

      As a city dweller, it is important to point fingers at self first and also recognize that we are the role models (something i have learned from visiting WOTR projects). So we are in a very difficult situation where we offer help and development either putting people on unsustainable paths or we say 'don't do as we do' using double standards.

      Advice would be to help these people remain connected to water cycles and be sustainable (and healthy as groundwater data suggests) if we can.

      Thanks,
      Rajesh

    • Thomas Palgadhmal of Watershed Organization Trust

      Dear Sir, We do agree on the comment made by Mr. Suvrin Shah on finding long term and self sustaining solutions. We are already implementing some tried and tested means of soil and water conservation techniques through watershed activities which help in making the villages self sustaining in resources, especially water. Funding is bein...

      Dear Sir,

      We do agree on the comment made by Mr. Suvrin Shah on finding long term and self sustaining solutions. We are already implementing some tried and tested means of soil and water conservation techniques through watershed activities which help in making the villages self sustaining in resources, especially water. Funding is being sought for such activities in the BPR project villages also. Secondly, for judicious use of water, WOTR is creating awareness through a technique "Water Budgeting" wherein people understand the water availability of their village and then try to budget the demand and supply equation of water in their villages. But this is not proposed as of now in the BPR villages as it requires many other interventions both financial and non-financial.

      Thanking you,
      Thomas, WOTR

  • 2 participants | show more

    few additional questions

    Katie Chandler of Etta Projects

    What an interesting project. Etta Projects is also piloting a solar powered water project this year, so it’s great to learn from other organization’s efforts. Many people has shared concerns regard theft and vandalism of the solar panels. Are you planning on installing a security fence, a steel pole or using tamper proof hardware? Wher...

    What an interesting project. Etta Projects is also piloting a solar powered water project this year, so it’s great to learn from other organization’s efforts.
    Many people has shared concerns regard theft and vandalism of the solar panels. Are you planning on installing a security fence, a steel pole or using tamper proof hardware?
    Where are you purchasing the solar materials? Is this technology commonly used in the area?
    It would be good to have more information regarding water usage and the amount of available water produced from the water source. Also, it seems like your tank may be too small. Can you help me better understand the water system design, including how many water taps will be installed?
    How are you addressing the need for families to conserve water during the dry season?
    Thanks, and I look forward to your responses.

    • Thomas Palgadhmal of Watershed Organization Trust

      2nd Ans of Jenna Saldana of EL Porvenir : ----------------------------------------------------- Dear Jenna, Thanks for your mail and queries. I am sorry for not giving the abbreviations for the acronyms. SHGs stand for Self help Groups. You must be familiar with the SHG concept. PRA means Participatory Rural Appraisal. It is tool to ...

      2nd Ans of Jenna Saldana of EL Porvenir :
      -----------------------------------------------------
      Dear Jenna,
      Thanks for your mail and queries. I am sorry for not giving the abbreviations for the acronyms.
      SHGs stand for Self help Groups. You must be familiar with the SHG concept.
      PRA means Participatory Rural Appraisal. It is tool to involve the people in planning process. It is intended to enable local communities to conduct their own analysis to plan and take action towards improving their own situation.
      BPL means Below Poverty Line.
      NRM project means Natural Resource Management. We are mainly engaged in promoting and implementing NRM based Watershed Development projects in six states of India.
      Releases of funds: After sanctioning of the project, more focus will be given on the community mobilization / organization and awareness generation about the drinking water project. This will be done through more frequent visits, rapport building, general body meetings, focused group discussions, door to door visits and conducting SHGs meetings and trainings etc.
      As explained in the proposal the Water Committee will be responsible for the implementation of the project. It will be main actor and implementer of the project. After sanction the project they will have to open the bank account with co signatory from the WOTR staff. The implementation of the project will be done under the supervision and control of the WOTR staff. This is the policy of the WOTR while implementing all kind of projects. The people should take the responsibility of the quality work and fund management which will lead to ensure the transparency, ownership and sustainability of the project. Otherwise there will be no difference in Government implemented projects and in our projects.
      We will replace the word ‘Backward’ with Vulnerable
      The present prevailing rate of drilling bore well is about Rs. 75 per feet ($1.29) therefore the drilling cost is $388.
      The repairs and maintenance: The village community will be trained to take care of the solar panel. One staff/mechanic from government hand pump maintenance workshop will be trained by the solar company and some spare parts of pump will be kept with the Committee. In major problems, the solar pump could be repaired in 6-8 days and not in hours.( It is typing mistake). Now the solar system has hybrid system i.e. even though the solar system failure, the hand pump can be used manually.
      Thanks and Regards,
      Thomas

    • Thomas Palgadhmal of Watershed Organization Trust

      Dear Katie chandler of Etta Projects, Please Sorry for wrongly inserted two times the 2nd ans , we will responding your question shortly.

      Dear Katie chandler of Etta Projects,
      Please Sorry for wrongly inserted two times the 2nd ans , we will responding your question shortly.

    • Thomas Palgadhmal of Watershed Organization Trust

      Dear Katie Chandler of Etta Project - please see the Answer of your few additional questions - are as follow : -------------------------- Q. 1 What an interesting project. Etta Projects is also piloting a solar powered water project this year, so it’s great to learn from other organization’s efforts. Many people has shared concerns re...

      Dear Katie Chandler of Etta Project - please see the Answer of your few additional questions - are as follow :
      --------------------------
      Q. 1 What an interesting project. Etta Projects is also piloting a solar powered water project this year, so it’s great to learn from other organization’s efforts.
      Many people has shared concerns regard theft and vandalism of the solar panels. Are you planning on installing a security fence, a steel pole or using tamper proof hardware?

      Ans. 1 We have discussed this issue with the Village Development Committee (VDC). They have suggested us that we install the panels over the roof of the houses of one of the members who is near to the water source. This will avoid any mishap. We have agreed for the same.

      Q. 2 Where are you purchasing the solar materials? Is this technology commonly used in the area?

      Ans. 2 Solar materials are now easily available all over India. We are purchasing the same from the company of repute in installation of such products. The solar energy operated pumps are commonly used in India.

      Q.3 It would be good to have more information regarding water usage and the amount of available water produced from the water source. Also, it seems like your tank may be too small. Can you help me better understand the water system design; including how many water taps will be installed?

      Ans. 3 We have selected such water sources which have been suggested by the villagers that are being used by them for many years. The tank is designed as per the requirement of that hamlet i.e. 50 liters per person day. The tank will be filled at least twice, once in the morning and once in the evening as per requirement. This will also automatically bring wastage under control if you have been giving them water for 24 hours. The water will be stored in the water storage tank. At least three to four tab connections will be provided to the water storage tank. This will be used as common stand post to collect the drinking water.

      Q.4 How are you addressing the need for families to conserve water during the dry season?

      Ans. 4 As explained above, the water will be released twice in day i.e. morning and evening. One valve will be provided to the water storage tank to regulate the water. The water will be released for one hour in the morning and one hour in the evening at fixed timing. During that time only people can collect water from the stand post.

      Thomas Palghadmal

  • 2 participants | show more

    Sanitation

    Rajesh Shah of Peer Water Exchange

    I like your idea of trying to ensure that their toilets are repaired/upgraded. However, these toilets are often hard to upgrade along with their septic tank. Have you done a survey? How many are currently in use? What will be the cost of repair/upgrade? Will the sewage be properly contained? Can the people afford this? Is there enough ...

    I like your idea of trying to ensure that their toilets are repaired/upgraded.
    However, these toilets are often hard to upgrade along with their septic tank. Have you done a survey? How many are currently in use? What will be the cost of repair/upgrade? Will the sewage be properly contained? Can the people afford this?

    Is there enough water for flushing? Should dry | eco-san toilets be introduced?

    What is your estimated effort/budget for these activities? You have put 800 people getting sanitation as one of your goals, that needs strong effort and resources.

    Thanks,
    Rajesh

    • Thomas Palgadhmal of Watershed Organization Trust

      Dear Rajesh Shah, Thank you for your comments. The explanation is as follows. 1. Distribution System: As per the plan there will be no separate distribution system. The water will be lifted from the bore well and will be stored in the newly constructed water storage tank. The water distribution tap will be connected to the water stora...

      Dear Rajesh Shah,
      Thank you for your comments. The explanation is as follows.

      1. Distribution System: As per the plan there will be no separate distribution system. The water will be lifted from the bore well and will be stored in the newly constructed water storage tank. The water distribution tap will be connected to the water storage tank through water intake pipe. One sluice valve will be provided to the water intake pipe to regulate and control the water supply tap pipe. The people will collect the water from the water storage tank through these taps.

      2. Toilet Construction:
      So far we have not conducted any detailed survey of the status of toilets such as condition of toilets, renovation budget, construction cost of new toilets etc.
      In the initial discussions and through the Rapid Rural Appraisal (RRA) and Participatory Rural Appraisal (PRA) information has been collected under the Sanitation campaign program of the state government initiatives. Most of the households have constructed individual toilets. However, due to shortage of water and poor quality of work the toilets are not being used by the people. Now we have planned to solve the drinking water problem as first priority. While implementing the drinking water project we will focus on health and hygiene issues and will try to motivate the people to repair old toilets and construct new toilets under some other funding source.
      Out of these proposed four project villages, we have selected one village (Modwa) for integrated watershed development program and have submitted the proposal to other funding agency for sanction. Similarly, we have planned to take up the watershed development works in remaining villages also in the next phase. Thus there will be constant rapport and support from WOTR to follow up the sanitation activities.
      In response to the comment made by the’ GRAVIS’, we mentioned that there is basic difference in rainfall pattern in Rajasthan. In the operational area of GRAVIS is a desert area having an average rainfall of 150 mm only. Where as in southern Rajasthan region where WOTR is working, the average rainfall is about 600 mm. The Udaipur area has an average rainfall of 635mm., however during last 2-3 years the area received about 700 mm. rainfall

      Thanking you,
      Thomas, WOTR

    • Rajesh Shah of Peer Water Exchange

      One thing i have learned from several NGOs (including WOTR) is that water is always in demand, and sanitation less. So if sanitation first is a condition for getting water, it is likely to be more adopted and successful. Do you agree? Would pushing sanitation first be easier than providing water first and then trying to get community to...

      One thing i have learned from several NGOs (including WOTR) is that water is always in demand, and sanitation less. So if sanitation first is a condition for getting water, it is likely to be more adopted and successful.

      Do you agree? Would pushing sanitation first be easier than providing water first and then trying to get community to focus on sanitation? If you are not sure, maybe one or two of the villages can be a test case.

      Thanks,
      Rajesh

    • Thomas Palgadhmal of Watershed Organization Trust

      Dear Rajesh, As we have learnt "Necessity is the mother ...." . What guides to the success of any project is whether there is any demand felt by the people. Here in our area, demand for sanitation is there, but through our eyes only. People as of now do not see Sanitation as there basic requirement as they have places earmarked special...

      Dear Rajesh,

      As we have learnt "Necessity is the mother ...." . What guides to the success of any project is whether there is any demand felt by the people. Here in our area, demand for sanitation is there, but through our eyes only. People as of now do not see Sanitation as there basic requirement as they have places earmarked specially for open defecation. Secondly, neither are the people aware of the ill effects of open defecation. The scheme which the govt. has already implemented has turned out to be utter wastage of money where they have constructed toilets without taking into consideration of the demand as well as without creating any awareness on the same. Therefore pushing sanitation first would not work as of now. Hence the focus is first to secure their need of drinking water and simultaneously make concerted efforts to generate awareness on use of toilets, and then may be construct/repair toilets, which might be a very slow process.

      Thanking you,
      Thomas, WOTR