This project is to build two rainwater harvesting systems in Javavandh and a well in Mansangh vandh (hamlet) of Rapar Taluka, Gujarat, India.
The project consists of two parts. The first is the construction a rainwater harvesting system to serve a village, including an underground tank, and another for a school. The second is the construction of a percolated dug well in the stream of a river that will generate water throughout the year.
The combined projects will directly benefit 105 families, or 500 people.
The project will be carried out in partnership with Samerth Charitable Trust, an Indian non-profit development organization that works towards accelerating a humane, sustainable, and equitable society. Samerth has focused on improving the conditions of marginalized communities since 1992. Samerth has been working in Kutch for the past 11 years, with interventions in drinking water, community health, migrant children’s education, and promoting livelihood.
Kutch, which comprises 23 % area of the state, receives only 13% of the annual rainfall. Therefore, the area has been designated a “Water Scarce Region.”
The project fits in with an overall plan to ensure that there is sufficient water availability, safe sanitation, and effective hygiene practices. It is aimed specifically to impact on the high rate of child mortality existing in the region.
Javavandh Rainwater Harvesting Systems
Community System
Javavandh is a hamlet on the edge of the Small Runn (desert) of Kutch, situated five kilometers inside of the main village called Palasava, in Rapar block. It is one of the last habitats near the desert and fifteen families (total of 90 members including men, women and children) are living there.
Samerth has supported this vandh by providing two earthen check dams in the past, but due to bad monsoon seasons on many occasions in the last few years, the people are facing acute water shortages for drinking purposes. There is no supply of water through the pipeline in this area, and therefore the people have to rely on the water available at the dams. When this is not available, the women must go 4 to 5 kilometers to get water for drinking and cooking.
Samerth has identified this vandh for the construction of rainwater harvesting systems. The capacity of the underground tank will be approximately 10,000 liters. This facility will provide safe drinking water to the people of Javavandh, when it is most needed, for a period of 40 to 60 days, depending on the amount of rainfall each year.
Most of the times the people will take water from the earthen check dams for their daily use and they will utilize the underground water in an emergency only. This is like a safe deposit for them and they will utilize this water when the water in the dams has become less, and during the night, when its use will serve to benefit women and young girls.
School System
The village school in Javavandh has 45 children from surrounding areas are enrolled. There is no drinking water available to the children, and they have to take water to school with them each day.
One roof water harvesting system will be built on the school campus to provide the children with drinking water while they are at school.
The system will consist of gutters around the roof of the school, a storage tank, and piping.
Mansangh Percolated Dug Well
A hand-dug well will be built in Mansangh vandh, a remote area where water facilities are not available.
Samerth has experience in this construction technology, having built 80 dug wells in the Rapar block to date.
The well will be built on the farm of Mr. Gelabhai Ganeshbhai Koli in Mansang vandh, 3 kilometers inside of the main village. The family of nine has been living in this field for the last four years without a direct water source.
The dug well support will solve the problem of drinking water for the entire village of 105 families, or 500 people. At the same time, it will provide a reserve of water for irrigation purposes in case of emergency.
Conclusion
The project has been designed to provide for the water needs of a vulnerable population. Through the development of water management committees, the judicious use of water will be ensured and the structures will be maintained. As part of a larger community development program, it will serve the people of the area for many years to come.
This project has now been fully funded through the generosity of the SLOW LIFE Foundation as a part of their Clean Water Projects initiative in collaboration with Positive H2O (+H2O).
This project has been finished. To read about the conclusion of the project, CLICK HERE.