In 2009, Vishaka Jilla Nava Nirmana Samiti (VJNNS) took up an initiative in six villages inhabited by landless people. These villages have poor or no access to basic infrastructure facilities like electricity and the government’s water supply systems have failed to work because of improper site selection, poor ground water quality (rich in iron content), poor quality of construction and equipment used. Given these problems, the systems fell into disuse soon after they were constructed leaving the villagers with no option but to travel to remotely located springs to obtain water for domestic use. Even this was not a solution because the water was murky. VJNNS partnered with the community to establish Gravity Flow Water Supply System (GFWS) in these villages to provide sustainable, safe water supply.

Waste water management and sanitation models were introduced and robust mechanisms for community participation were evolved to ensure operation and maintenance of the systems. Structured water quality data and information on water related issues, specific to eastern hilly part of Vishakhapatnam, was disseminated through the India Water Portal. Through this effort, the villages were able to access 24 X 7 water supply.

The post Neeru-Aarogyam (Phase I) appeared first on Arghyam.

Some of the core issues concerning water in the Eastern Ghats are pollution of water sources leading to poor health and improper hygiene and sanitation practices. In Phase I of this project, VJNNS created filter tanks at natural spring sources and channeled the water to tribal villages using pipelines. It also introduced toilet blocks.

In Phase II, VJNNS will  expand its efforts to provide safe water to communities through gravity-based systems and share its experiences.

The post Neeru-Aarogyam (Phase II) appeared first on Arghyam.