Vol 1 Issue 4 - Ministry of Drinking Water and Sanitation

A quarterly newsletter on
water and sanitation in India
Vol 1 Issue 4
Zero-energy Multi-Village
Scheme in Maharashtra
Hundred percent metered household connections
honored in the Limca Book of Records
T
he drudgery of women has been
completely eliminated by the
introduction of the water supply scheme
in the Amravati District. Women of
the villages had to walk long distances
repeatedly in a day just to fetch drinking
water for their families, even during the
hot summers when they faced 44 degree
Celsius heat. Now we have plenty of
water on our doorstep every day with
the metered billing system”—village
woman, Vanita Balkrishna Gawai of
Hingani village in the Amravati District
of Maharashtra and a daily wage
earner on an agriculture farm. Sangita
Devanand Dhande and Govardhan
Ramrao Gawai of the same village also
echoed the same happiness.
Amravati District,
Maharashtra
The implementation of the
large-scale Multi-Village
Scheme, covering 156 villages
and two towns in the Amravati
District, has changed the water
footprint of the rural areas of
the district
Since water is critically important to
life, the implementation of the largescale Multi-Village Scheme (MVS),
covering 156 villages and two towns
in the Amravati District, has changed
the water footprint of the rural areas
of the district, eliminated the drudgery
to which women were previously
subjected, ensured water security, and
improved the quality of life of the
villagers. The MVS, which uses no
electricity for pumping at any stage of
distribution, whether at the source or
at intermittent stages, facilitates a 100
percent metered piped water supply for
households and has been honored in
the Limca Book of Records.
Background
There is a saline track zone in the Purna
River Basin in Maharashtra, covering
a total area of 4,692 square kilometers
(sq km) in the Amravati, Akola, and
1
Zero-energy Multi-Village Scheme
in Maharashtra
Buldhana Districts. In Amravati District,
there are 14 talukas or blocks, of which six
are affected by salinity, for a total affected
area of approximately 1,738 sq km. Of
the approximately 355 villages in the
Amravati District, the affected areas are
primarily located in the Daryapur Tehsil
Contents
6
innovation: Nashik Village
Goes High Tech
9
INNOVATION: Punjab Introduces
Complaint Redressal System for
Village Water Supply Schemes
11
SPOTLIGHT: A Maharashtra Village
Strives for Sustainable Sanitation
SPOTLIGHT: NGP Village in Pune
District Moves Ahead
16
Initially, in addition to 156
villages, two towns were targeted
for the proposed schemes as they
also faced drinking water scarcity
Map showing details of the scheme
(146 villages), Bhatkuli Tehsil
(111 villages), and Anjangaon Tehsil
(48 villages).
To combat this situation, the local
MLA and the officers of Maharashtra
Jeevan Pradhikaran (MJP) planned
to prepare a Regional Water Supply
Scheme project, with the newly-
constructed Shahanur Irrigation Dam,
serving as a source of safe, pure water
and ensuring water security for the
people of the saline track zone. The
dam is situated at an altitude of 413.5
meters (m). It demonstrated a potential
for a massive MVS on gravity flow
requiring zero energy.
Initially, in addition to 156 villages,
two towns (Anjangaon and Daryapur)
were targeted for the proposed schemes
as they also faced drinking water
scarcity. The dam was constructed by
the Irrigation Department in the 1990s
and planning for the preparation of a
water supply scheme was initiated in
1994 by the MJP. Surveying work was
carried out and in 1997, the proposal
was submitted to the Government
of Maharashtra for administrative
approval in three parts: two proposals
for augmentation were submitted for the
Anjangaon and Daryapur Water Supply
and Sanitation (WSS), as well as the
Regional Rural Water Scheme for 156
villages. However, the ‘Urban and Rural’
portion of the scheme was cancelled
and merged into a combined scheme,
designed entirely on gravity, for the 156
villages and two towns. This proposal
received administrative approval by the
Government of Maharashtra on
October 15, 1998, for `181.16 crore, and
work began the following year.
To uncover the full story, it was
necessary for the writer of this report to
travel from the source to the most remote
village at the end point of the scheme.
Source
The Shahanur Irrigation Dam, situated at
an altitude of 413.5 m, was constructed
at a cost of `56 crore, of which `15.34
crore (27.04 percent) was contributed by
the MJP. The gross storage capacity of
the dam is 46.04 million cubic meters
(cu. m), with dead storage capacity of
1.81 million cu. m. Of the total water
supply, roughly 12.45 million cu. m is
reserved for the rural drinking water
supply and the rest for irrigation and
power supply generation.
View of aeration fountain
2
Villagers taking part in a discussion during a Gram Sabha
Water Treatment Plant (WTP)
The WTP is situated at an altitude of
404 m, and the slope of the pipeline
is maintained to ensure an altitude of
277 m at the lowest delivery point at
Kuratkheda, to facilitate the goal of
zero-energy supply. The treated water
flows from the Shahanur Irrigation Dam
entirely by gravitational force.
Water from the dam flows through a
canal and is regulated by a sluice gate
and valve—without any pumping—to
a raw water sump of about 15 m
in diameter and 2 m in depth. The
capacity of this sump is 10 lakh liters
and is constructed at an altitude of 410
m. From the raw water sump, water
flows to an aeration fountain at an
altitude of 408 m, with a depth of 2 m,
and diameter of 6 m. Aeration of raw
water is designed to trap oxygen from
the air to increase the percentage of
dissolved oxygen in the water so that
foul gases are extracted. Raw water with
enriched oxygen content then moves to
the flash mixer, where alum is added to
maintain turbidity at the desired level.
The flash mixer has a diameter of 3 m.
After mixing of alum, the water then
moves into two clariflocculators, each of
which contains two distinct zones in its
circular structure: the flocculation zone
at the center and the clarifier zone at
the periphery. In the central flocculation
zone, the circular structure is 14 m in
diameter and 5 m deep. In this zone
Water from the dam flows
through a canal and is regulated
by a sluice gate and valve—
without any pumping—to a raw
water sump of about 15 m in
diameter and 2 m in depth.
The capacity of this sump is
10 lakh liters
Extent of water supply scheme
3
water moves from top to bottom with
a retention period of about 30 minutes.
This is where impure particles settle
down. The clarifier zone is on the
periphery of the circular structure and
has a diameter of 35 m and a depth of
4 m. Here, water flows from bottom to
top and has a retention period of three
hours. From the clariflocculator, water
moves to quicksand filter beds, five beds
on one side and another set of five on
the other. Each bed is 6.2 square meters
(sq m) in length and breadth and 5.3 m
in depth. About 50 million m of water
is filtered per day in the quicksand filter.
The bottom of each bed contains layers
of sand, gravel, and perforated pipes at
the bottom, for collecting filtered water
after being percolated through layers of
sand particles and gravels. A backwater
tank, with a capacity of 6 lakh liters of
water is used for washing filter beds, so
as to remove accumulated impurities
filtered from the water. From the filter
beds, the filtered water moves to a
control chamber and then through a
filter water channel to a chlorine contact
tank (CCT), where it is disinfected
before being supplied to villages and
towns. In the CCT, the retention period
is 30 minutes. Finally, treated water
is stored in a pure water sump with
a capacity of 50 lakh liters of treated
water, at an altitude of 408 m, before
distribution to the villages.
Main Balancing Reservoirs
and Elevated Service Reservoirs
With a view to ensuring an
uninterrupted supply of water over
Main Balancing Reservoir
(MBR) of combined scheme
One Elevated Service Reservoir (ESR) can typically meet the
drinking water needs of one or two villages. ESRs are of various
capacities and are used in rural and urban areas. In addition to
the 98 new ESRs constructed under the scheme, there are 11
existing ESRs under the old water supply scheme. For rural areas,
the capacity of 98 ESRs varies from 30,000 liters to 5 lakh liters.
In urban areas, five ESRs have been constructed with capacities
ranging from 5 to 15 lakh liters. There are 11 MBRs and 108
ESRs under the scheme
a huge network of 156 villages and
two towns using gravitational force
from the WTP, 11 Main Balancing
Reservoirs (MBRs) have been
constructed. MBRs vary in capacity
from 2 to 12 lakh liters, ranging from
15 m to 27.3 m. Of 11 MBRs, two are
allocated to the two towns and nine
for the 156 villages. From the WTP,
water first goes to the MBR, and from
the MBR to a number of Elevated
Service Reservoirs (ESRs). One ESR
can typically meet the drinking water
needs of one or two villages.
ESRs are of various capacities and
are used in rural and urban areas.
In addition to the 98 new ESRs
constructed under the scheme, there
are 11 existing ESRs under the old
water supply scheme. For rural areas,
the capacity of 98 ESRs varies from
30,000 liters to 5 lakh liters. In urban
areas, five ESRs have been constructed
with capacities ranging from 5 to 15
lakh liters. There are 11 MBRs and 108
ESRs under the scheme.
From the pure water sump, water
passes through a 900 mm pipe,
through three 500 mm sluice valves
and flows through two outlet pipes of
different specifications. The water for
the 156 villages and two towns flows
through two sluice valves to a 900 mm
barrel pipe and through a 900 mm
outlet pipe. For the 79 villages included
subsequent to the recognition of the
scheme in the Limca Book of Records,
water from the pure water sump passes
4
through a 500 millimeter (mm) valve
to another 900 m barrel pipe and then
to a 500 mm pipe through two 300 mm
valves. The water is finally distributed
to the additional 79 villages through a
500 mm GI pipe.
In rural areas, the distribution
system consists of a 63 mm to 160 mm
PVC pipe and an 80 mm to 150 mm
CI pipeline, covering a total length of
423.4 km. The distribution system in
urban areas consists of an 80 mm to
600 mm CI pipeline and a 200 mm to
450 mm DI K9 pipeline, covering a
distance of 80.1 km.
The MVS supplies water to 156
villages and two towns by storing water
in 11 MBRs and 108 ESRs in rural
areas. There are 27,110 connections in
the 156 villages targeted and 15,390 in
the two towns.
Under the MVS, all households
have a water meter and the water tariff
is paid according to the meter reading,
based on the following:
l 0 to 15,000 liter:
`6 per 1,000 liter.
l 15,001 to 20,000 liter:
`9 per 1,000 liter.
l 20,001 to 25,000 liter:
`12 per 1,000 liter.
l 25,001 and above:
`24 per 1,000 liter.
However, in the two towns/block
HQs, the water tariff is much higher,
and therefore for the above-mentioned
thresholds, the rates are `13, `20, `26,
and `52 per 1,000 liter, respectively.
The scheme has won many awards, as well as a mention in the Limca Book of Records
Economics (2012-13)
l Assessment: `717.59 lakh
(cost of water supplied).
l Recovery: `601.24 lakh
(that is, 84%).
l Expenditure: `721.23 lakh.
l Shortfall: `120 lakh.
l Incentive grant to compensate
for lower tariffs in rural areas:
`155 lakh.
The scheme has a net profit of `35
lakh. Funding from the National Rural
Drinking Water Programme (NRDWP)
for operation and maintenance (O&M)
is not being utilized, and Gram
Panchayats (GPs) are not maintaining
the scheme as it covers urban areas
as well. As the maintenance staff are
government employees, the overhead
cost is substantial.
The scheme is providing drinking
water to 156 villages and two towns,
incurring an expenditure of `181 crore.
After evaluation of the potential of
the WTP, a supplementary scheme
to supply 79 more villages was
executed, which incurred an additional
expenditure of `72 crore. Therefore,
In addition to securing a place
in the Limca Book of Records,
the scheme was honored
with one national award
(National Urban Award 2008)
in recognition of exemplary
performance in urban water
management in improving
the quality of life in India by
implementing a combined
water supply scheme for 156
villages and two towns
both schemes under the same WTP now
supply drinking water to 231 villages in
total and two block-level towns.
In addition to securing a place in the
Limca Book of Records, the scheme
was honored with one national award
(National Urban Award 2008) in
recognition of exemplary performance
in urban water management in
improving the quality of life in India
by implementing a combined water
supply scheme for 156 villages and two
towns by the MJP. The scheme received
5
two State-level awards of excellence in
energy conservation and management.
The architects of the vision and
initiative include the former Executive
Superintending Engineer Mr. P.N.
Gokhale, with advocacy by the former
MLA of the Darayapur constituency,
Mr. Prakashbav Bharsakle. Other
officials who facilitated the smooth
operation of the schemes, with O&M
provided by the MJP, are Mr. S.G.
Kalike, Superintending Engineer,
Water Management Circle, Nagpur;
Mr. G.P. Bhave, Executive Engineer,
Amravati Division, and Mr. K.A.
Dhawale, Assistant Executive Engineer.
For more information, contact:
K.A. Dhawale,
Assistant Executive Engineer, Nagpur.
Tel: 09881908125
G.P. Bhave,
Executive Engineer, Amravati Division.
Tel: 09657713519
Report: Dr. T.K. Das
INNOVATION
faster recording of consumption data,
followed by the instant generation of
bills for each household.
Nashik Village
Goes High Tech
Remote controlled water meter reader used to record water use
C
ollecting payments for piped water
supply to individual households
remains a challenge in the majority of
villages across the country. However,
in a GP of the Nashik District of
Maharashtra, the dynamic leadership
of Malegaon Panchayat has not only
led to the installation of water meters
in every household that has a piped
water supply, but also the introduction
of accurate remote controlled water
meter readers. The gadget records
water consumption data from a number
of individual household meters from
a distance of 100 m. Subsequently,
bills are generated for each household
utilizing data recorded on a remote
controlled meter reader. Using the
device and software provided to
each water meter in households with
a water connection, the designated
person of the GP can record water
In a GP of the Nashik District
of Maharashtra, the dynamic
leadership of Malegaon
Panchayat has not only led to
the installation of water meters
in every household that has a
piped water supply, but also
the introduction of accurate
remote controlled water meter
readers. Bills are generated
for each household utilizing
data recorded on these remote
controlled meter readers
consumption data within a radius
of 100 m, without manually reading
individual water meters and with
the help of a remote meter (ARAD
Tech), mobile and matching software.
This has facilitated accurate and
Water Supply System
As the Nashik GP is situated in
the industrial area earmarked by
Maharashtra Industrial Development
Corporation (MIDC), it receives
drinking water supplied by the MIDC.
The village has a Ground Level Service
Reservoir (GLSR) and ESR of 1 lakh
liter capacity each. With a view to
ensuring water with total dissolved
solids (TDS) within a safe limit, a
reverse osmosis (RO) plant is being
installed in the GP at a cost of `11 lakh.
It has been estimated that a 20-liter
bottle of RO-treated water will cost just
`8, that is, `0.4 per liter.
Mr. Tukaram Sangle, Sarpanch,
revealed that the installation has
incurred a cost of `3.8 lakh; for the
remote controlled water meter device,
`49 lakh was spent; for the water supply
distribution system with pipelines, `21
lakh was spent from the GP’s own
resources. In the village, there are 450
metered household connections with
the device and software for enabling
remote controlled meter reading.
According to readings taken to date,
The gadget records water consumption data from household meters from a distance of 100 m
6
Community toilets cater to the migrant population of Malegaon
`10 is charged per 1,000 liters of water
consumption. On average, households
typically pay `70 to `80 per month for
their water consumption. The Village
Development Officer, Mr. Sanjay
Giri, who was the key architect of the
vision and development of the GP,
indicated that villagers were taken to
visit Malakapur of the Satara District for
a demonstration of the household water
supply and metered connection.
The Malegaon GP of Sinnar
Block of the Nashik District, a
village with around 23 large
and 10 small industries, hosts
around 250 migrant laborers
every year. The GP has,
therefore, constructed several
community toilets, with a total
of 133 seats
Using the remote controlled water meter reader
7
Community Toilets in
the Nashik District
Community toilets are very important
for tackling the problem of open
defecation by the migrant workforce
in villages. However, where there is
a substantial proportion of landless
homes or where industrial or daily
wage laborers come from other areas
and stay periodically, the facilities
are often found to be missing. This
poses a threat to sustaining Open
Defecation Free (ODF) status.
The Malegaon GP of Sinnar
Block of the Nashik District, a
village with around 23 large and 10
small industries, hosts around 250
migrant laborers every year. The GP
has, therefore, constructed several
community toilets, with a total of
133 seats.
The entire expenditure for the
construction of community toilets is
being borne by the GP from its
own resources.
Construction of Community Toilets
Unit
Number
of seats
Unit 1 52 (26+26)
Unit 2 20 (10+10)
Unit 3 16 (8 +8)
Unit 4 5 (3+2)
Unit 5 5 ( 3+2)
Unit 6 5 (3+2)
Unit 7 5 (3+2)
Unit 8 10 (5+5)
Unit 9 5 (3 +2)
Unit 10 5 (3+2)
Unit 11 5 (3+2)
Amount
`14.10 lakh
`8.68 lakh
`7.49 lakh
`2.2 lakh
`1.32 lakh
`1.48 lakh
`2.17 lakh
`4.06 lakh
`2.2 lakh
`1.23 lakh
`1.23 lakh
A mobile toilet with six (3+3) seats
has also been procured for use during
festivals and fairs.
Sanitation Scenario
The village has a total of 321
households, of which 289 are
Above Poverty Line (APL) and 32
are Below Poverty Line (BPL). No
incentive amount has been either
claimed or utilized from the Total
Sanitation Campaign (TSC)/Nirmal
Bharat Abhiyan (NBA) to support
individual toilet construction in APL
or BPL households. APL families
have constructed their own toilets and
financial assistance has been provided
to BPL families by the GP from its
own resources.
Toilets in Schools
and Anganwadis
In the Primary Zila Parishad (ZP) school
for girls, six toilets and 10 urinals were
installed at a cost of `7.49 lakh from the
GP’s resources. For boys, eight toilets
and 12 urinals have been installed,
incurring an expenditure of `3.13 lakh.
An RO system has also been installed
on the school premises, costing `75,000.
In two primary schools, toilets have
been constructed at a cost of `3.25 lakh.
Drinking water facilities are available
Schools have been provided with toilets and urinals
in primary schools, and in all six
Anganwadis, toilets are available
along with safe drinking water
facilities. All schools have
an audio-visual learning system
through the television monitor to
enhance interest.
Solid Waste Collection System
The GP has also procured a garbage
collection van from its own resources.
The van collects solid waste from
households and deposits it in garbage
pits. To fumigate the open drains,
the GP has procured a tank with
appropriate fumigating equipment,
which is drawn by a tractor and the
drains across the village are thus
fumigated regularly.
8
Revenue Generation
There are 23 large and 421 small
industries in the village. A revenue
of `1.34 crore is generated from the
industries per year owing to the charge
of `3 per square foot.
Award
The village received `25,000 for the
Sant Gadge Baba Award in 2012. In
2011-12, the GP received `4 lakh as a
State Environment Award, and has also
been nominated for the Nirmal Gram
Puraskar (NGP) Award this year.
For more information, contact:
Sanjay Giri, VDO
Tel: 09823422466
Email: [email protected]
INNOVATION
l Non-performance by some staff
Punjab Introduces
Complaint Redressal
System for Village
Water Supply Schemes
A unique system, the Shikayat Nivaran Kendra, has been
devised to encourage good governance
I
n November 2009, the Shikayat
Nivaran Kendra (SNK) was
established whereby rural consumers
could call a toll-free number round-theclock or register their complaints online,
track progress, and request services.
To ensure impartiality, the work was
outsourced to an independent agency.
Every official is now connected to
the online system through telephone,
email, and SMS and can monitor
complaints directly. The time that is
expected to be required to address some
typical complaints is spelt out, and if
a complaint is not rectified within the
stipulated period, it is forwarded to a
senior officer. Complaints are not closed
until the customer is satisfied.
Progress is reviewed on a day-today basis at the highest levels, that is,
by the Secretary to the Government of
Punjab’s Department of Water Supply
and Sanitation (DWSS), enabling the
administration to initiate remedial
measures for common problems to
avoid their recurrence in the future.
This initiative is helping the
DWSS to redress water supply-related
complaints. The system, the SNK, is
based on cutting-edge information
technology and operates efficiently
on a 24x7 basis. It provides for online
registration of grievances relating to
The Shikayat Nivaran Kendra
is based on cutting-edge
information technology and
operates efficiently on a 24x7
basis. It offers an effective and
accountable system. Service
providers now make every effort
to deliver sustainable water
supply service to consumers
with minimum breakdowns,
as well to respond and take
corrective measures
water supply by citizens and access
to information on the status of their
grievances. The SNK meets the needs
of the consumers by providing an
effective and accountable system.
Service providers now make every
effort to deliver sustainable water supply
service to consumers with minimum
breakdowns, as well to respond and
take corrective measures.
Rationale for the SNK
A large number of rural water supply
(RWS) schemes are also operating in the
remote areas of Punjab. The DWSS was
finding it difficult to monitor the day-today working of the RWS infrastructure.
The main reasons were:
9
deployed for the O&M of
RWS schemes.
l Substantial delays caused by the field
staff in rectifying minor defects and
leakages in the distribution system.
l The water supply was not
disinfected; therefore, consumers
did not receive quality water in
some villages.
l Even the time set for the supply of
water was not always adhered to by
the operational staff.
In addition, the following problems
were also observed:
l Villagers had to travel long distances
to controlling offices located far away
to lodge their complaints.
l Complaints lodged in registers
placed at waterworks sites were
noted only during the occasional
visits of the controlling officials.
l Lower ranking officials were
attending to the complaints as per
their convenience and will.
l Delayed attention to complaints
resulted in consumers losing
confidence in the water supply
system operated by the government.
l There was no system for lodging
complaints instantly, upon noticing a
defect as well as at odd hours of
the day.
l There was no system in place to
indicate the updated/latest status of
action taken on complaints.
l Senior-level officers remained
unaware of the complaints lodged or
the problems persisting in
their jurisdictions.
In view of the above, the SNK was
established at SAS Nagar with the
following objectives:
l Improve the quality of the service
delivery system.
l Achieve best results with optimum
inputs of man, machine, and
materials while utilizing the latest
e-governance methods as well
as techniques.
l Enhance the efficiency and financial
sustainability of water supply
system operations by reaching out
to the beneficiaries.
With the launch of the SNK, every
rural citizen, even the poorest, can now
register a water supply complaint free of
charge at the toll-free number 1-800180-2468. This number, obtained from
BSNL, has six telephone hunting lines.
Historical Context
There are 15,177 habitations (12,258
main habitations and 2,912 other
habitations) in Punjab. As of May
31, 2013, 12,103 habitations (10,303
main and 1,846 other) are supplied
with water through rural water supply
infrastructure. Traditionally, water
supply services are operated and
maintained by the DWSS through the
field offices located at the sub-division
or block level. However, since the
73rd amendment to the Constitution,
Top to bottom: Working
environment at Shikayat
Nivaran Kendra; Principal
Secretary, Water Supply and
Sanitation, reviewing the
functioning of the SNK
With the launch of the SNK,
every rural citizen, even the
poorest, can now register a
water supply complaint free of
charge at the toll-free number
1-800-180-2468
the O&M of single-village piped water
supply schemes have been handed over
to GPs.
At present, two systems are
commonly used for the O&M of
water supply schemes in Punjab.
First, the O&M of schemes, which are
implemented by DWSS, are organized
by DWSS through its own operational
staff or through outsourcing to local
contractors from the village. Second,
the O&M of 876 single-village schemes
handed over to GPs, as well as 950
villages commissioned under the Sector
Wide Approach (SWA), are maintained
by GPWSCs/GPs. The SNK caters to
approximately 149 lakh of the rural
population of the state.
An Advanced Interactive Voice
Response (IVR) system activated at
the SNK also helps customers easily
lodge complaints at the call center.
The WSS department outsourced
the development, maintenance, and
operation of the complaint redressal
system to a third party, the DOEACC
Society, Chandigarh, an undertaking
of the Government of India, in the
interest of transparency. The initial cost
of `5.78 lakh to arrange hardware and
application software was met from funds
available under the NRDWP Program.
The monthly recurring cost for the
O&M and updating of the software
as well as generation of reports, as
required by the department, is being
met through the department’s annual
non-plan budget.
Detailed information, such as
e-mail IDs of Divisional Offices as
well as names and mobile numbers of
Executive Engineers, Sub Divisional
10
Engineers, and Junior Engineers who
are handling the O&M of RWS schemes,
has been fed into the software designed
for the registration of complaints. A
distinctive number is issued to every
registered complaint and provided to the
complainant after complaint registration.
On registration, the names of officers
relating to the complaint village appear
on the screen and the complaint is
forwarded to them through SMS and
e-mail for immediate attention. The
time required to address some typical
types of complaints has been pre-set.
The concerned officials are expected
to correct the system within a fixed
timeframe and report to the SNK by
telephone or SMS to enable the SNK
to inform the complainant of the status.
If the complaint is not rectified within
the stipulated period, it is forwarded
to the next-level senior officer, that is,
the Superintending Engineer or Chief
Engineer as per the hierarchy, every 24
hours for intervention.
The institution loses its efficacy
and authority when decisions are
not implemented or are practically
unenforceable or generally lack
introspection. To avoid such a situation,
it was decided that the system of
complaint redressal should be monitored
at a higher level by the senior executive
in the hierarchy. As such, the system was
designed so that monitoring is possible
up to the highest level in the department,
that is, by the Secretary of the
department. Consequently, complaints
are being addressed within a timeframe
that is satisfactory to the complainant,
which has helped restore confidence in
the system.
Principal Secretary,
Department of Water Supply and
Sanitation, Punjab
Chief Engineer-cum-Program Director,
State Program Management Cell,
Mohali
SPOTLIGHT
A Maharashtra
Village Strives for
Sustainable Sanitation
The Rajana GP of Chandur Railway Block is an example of
sustainable sanitation and well-managed solid liquid waste system
T
he Rajana GP, situated at
approximately 40 km from
the headquarters of the Amravati
District of Maharashtra, received the
prestigious NGP Award of `50,000
in 2008. Of the 171 households in the
GP, 100 are BPL and 71 are APL. In
2008-09, 100 percent of households
possessed and used toilets. The village
has a population of 784.
In addition to the NGP Award,
the GP received `15 lakh for three
State-level awards (Sant Gadge Baba
Award) at the divisional and district
levels. The BPL families were paid
an incentive of `2,200 under the TSC
program. The GP also received EcoVillage funding of `2 lakh and `1 lakh
as a Tant Mukti Award for its quarrel
or conflict-free status at that point
of time.
Solid Liquid Waste
Management (SLWM)
Two rickshaw vans have been purchased
at a cost of `70,000 by partially utilizing
the award money (`15 lakh) from the
Sant Gadge Baba Awards. The vans
are retained and managed from the GP
premises and two staff members of the
Panchayat go to households twice a
day—at 8 am and 5 pm—to collect solid
waste from households. Materials such
as plastic and bottles are auctioned, and
the revenue generated is deposited in
the GP’s accounts. Similarly, a NAFED
tank (3 m x1.5 m x 1.5 m) is being
constructed with `65,000 from the
Eco-Village Fund.
By utilizing `10,000 of the Sant
Gadge Baba Award money and `50,000
received as the NGP Award, two
chamber Wastewater Treatment
Treated wastewater is utilized to irrigate the vegetable garden
11
Systems have been installed on the
premises of the GP at a cost of `60,000.
The wastewater flowing through the
concrete drain is first diverted to a small
tank and then to a large one, after which
treated wastewater is utilized to irrigate
the vegetable garden. Now that `7 to `20
lakh has been made available in NBA, an
elaborate wastewater treatment plant is
being planned in another location in
the village.
Bio-gas Plant
In the village, 35 households have bio-gas
plants installed with a loan from the State
Bank of India. Of the total installation
cost of `10,000, approximately `5,000
was received as a subsidy. For toiletlinked bio-gas, `1,000 is provided as an
additional incentive; `300 is paid by the
GP as an additional incentive.
Wastewater Treatment
Systems have been installed
The Rajana GP shows the way, with its efficient methods of handling water and waste
Water Supply System
A 20-year-old bore well, 60 m deep,
has been the source of drinking
water to 50 percent of households
in the GP. A new well has been dug
at a cost of `25 lakh. In addition to
an old reservoir with a capacity of
30,000 liters, a new reservoir, with
a capacity of 30,000 liters has been
built at a cost of `25 lakh. To augment
the water supply to households, a
700 m pipeline and seven HP pumps
have also been put into operation. Of
171 households, piped water supply
has been provided to 161 willing
households. An annual water tariff of
`480 is being levied per household,
so to say a monthly charge of `40 per
month is being recovered. Security to
the tune of `300 for each individual
piped water supply connection is also
being recovered by the GP. Drinking
water is chlorinated. A TCL dozer
has been purchased with `70,000
by utilizing a part of the Sant Gadge
Baba Award money. The GP has
12
installed a device along with each
household connection, so that in case
of misuse or overflow, the operator of
the GP can control the supply.
Toilets and drinking water supply
are now available in every school
and Anganwadi.
For more information, contact:
Deputy CEO/Member Secretary,
NBA, Amravati.
E-mail: [email protected]
SPOTLIGHT
Rainwater Harvesting in
a Hilly Village of Pune
Quenching thirst of villagers in dry months
I
n Palasoshi, a hilly village under
Bhor Block of the Pune District,
situated at a distance of 6,072 km
from the headquarters, the villagers
typically endure the agony and
sufferings from an acute shortage
of adequate drinking water from
February to June. This has finally been
resolved, and in a sustainable manner,
through the introduction of rooftop
rainwater harvesting in the majority
of households. Under a Kfw German
Bank project, cylindrical pherrocement tanks,10,000 liters in capacity,
have been installed in the premises of
Two large tanks, known
as Shivkalin Tanks, which
are essentially rainwater
harvesting structures
made of stone, based on
technology introduced by
Chatrapati Shivaji in forts,
have been installed in the
Gram Panchayat. These
help meet other domestic
water requirements of the
community during crises
each of the 130 willing households,
to provide drinking water during dry
periods, by harvesting rainwater from
rooftops and storing it in the tanks. In
addition, two large tanks, known as
Shivkalin Tanks, which are essentially
rainwater harvesting structures
made of stone, based on technology
introduced by Chatrapati Shivaji in
forts, have also been installed in the
GP. These help meet other domestic
water requirements of the community
during crises. Further, the repair and
expansion of the existing main water
supply system was executed under the
aforesaid German project.
The village of Palsoshi is about
60 km south of Pune and 15 km south
of Bhor town. It is approachable
throughout the year during all seasons
by tar road. It has a population of 1,021
(in 2001; projected: 1,534). The village
is located in the foothills of the Sahyadri
mountain ranges and is surrounded by
hills. It receives very high rainfall, about
2,000 mm per year. The ground slope is
Rooftop rainwater harvesting has been introduced in the majority of households
13
The villagers are happy and
satisfied with the availability
of drinking water through the
rainwater harvesting structures
The rainwater harvesting structures provide safe and
hassle-free drinking water after March
l Epidemics did not spread at the onset of
the monsoon.
l The number of social functions
very high and as a result, the rainwater
runoff is also very high. Consequently,
ground water recharge is very low. In
addition, the basaltic rock formation
in the village area is not favorable for
groundwater recharge. The village
area is drained mainly by one major
streamlet, which is seasonal in nature.
Pre-project Existing Drinking
Water Structures
l A 20- to 25-year-old piped water
supply scheme based on a dug well
as the source, damaged rising main
pipes, and a leaking reservoir.
l One bore well with a hand pump,
with a low yield, which is inadequate
in the summer.
Pre-project Drinking
Water Availability
l The piped water supply scheme
was only sustainable up to March.
Thereafter, the village received its
water supply through tanks.
l A bore well with a hand pump—
intermittent pumping after March.
The village received less than 10
liters per capita per day (LPCD) of
water from the previous drinking
water source.
Social Impact of Scarcity
of Water
l No social functions such as
marriages, annual fairs, and
social gatherings were held as
the existing structure could not
satisfy the population’s drinking
water requirement.
l A portion of the population moved
to the nearby village for work
and water.
l Livestock grazed and moved
to nearby areas with adequate
drinking water.
l Refusal to give brides to the village
grooms was a frequent experience.
l Epidemics were common due to
contaminated water at the onset of
the monsoon.
Social Impact of New Structures
l The repaired piped water supply
scheme could supply adequate
water up to March.
l The rainwater harvesting structures
provide safe and hassle-free
drinking water after March.
l The two water storage wells
have satisfied the domestic
water requirement.
14
l
l
l
l
such as marriages, annual fairs, and
social gatherings held even in
summer increased.
The practice of giving brides away
has resumed in the village.
Expenditure was saved on the tanker.
The villagers are happy and satisfied
with the availability of drinking
water through the rainwater
harvesting structures.
The villagers have started campaigning
to adopt the rainwater harvesting
structures in the neighboring villages.
Project Design
Population: 2001—1,021; 2022—1,534
Population as per PRA (2003): 1,061
No. of households: 168
No. of cattle: 414
Water demand (incl. cattle):
2008—74,494 LPD; 2022—91,671 LPD
Option selected:
1) Individual rainwater harvesting structure
2) Shivkalin rainwater harvesting tanks
(two) for community
3) Repairs to existing water supply scheme
Approval of D.R.R. by Gram Sabha: 30/03/05 Amt: `5,717,878
Procurement of Services:
Particulars
D) Topographical survey: 19,600.00
Date of
commencement
Date of
completion
Rainwater harvesting structures
Post I—(60 RWH Str.)
12/09/05
24/06/07
Rainwater harvesting structures
Post II—(70 RWH Str.)
03/12/05
24/06/07
Shivkalin Tank Gaothan
10/05/05
08/08/06
Shivkalin Tank Rautwadi
10/05/05
08/08/06
Repairs to PWS
16/03/06
24/05/07
Details of Works Executed
A) Individual Rain Water Harvesting
Structures: 130 nos. (2.90 m Ø
1.60 m Ht.)
B) Shivkalin Tank: 1. Gaothan:14.10
Ø – 2.55 m Ht.;10 Ø-6.80 m Ht.,
capacity – 9,21,140 liter; 2 Raut wadi:
12.25 Ø – 3.25 m Ht.; 9.30 Ø – 6.80 m
Ht.; capacity – 8,30,946 liter
C) Repairs to P.W.S.S.
(1) Pump house: 2.50 m x 2.50 m
x 2.80 m
(2) Pumping machinery: H.P – 12.50
(1 no.) Discharge: 3.13 LPS; Head:
104.21 m
(3) Pumping main: 80 mm Ø G.I ‘B’
class; Length – 1128 m
(4) Distribution system: a) 80 mm Ø G
I ‘B’ class – 576 m; b) 65 mm Ø G I ‘B’
class – 42 m; c) 50 mm Ø G I ‘B’ class –
438 m; d) 25 mm Ø G I ‘B’ class – 198 m
Total length: 1,254 m
Stand post: 10 nos.
(5) Reservoir: Ground service reservoir
cap. – 45,000 liter (4.40 m Ø and
3.00 m depth)
Expenditure
A) Rainwater harvesting structures:
2,706,751.00
The village had initially
constructed a tank with
a 30,000 liter capacity in
1980 from which water was
supplied to stand posts and no
household water supply was
available. Under the German
project, during 2006-07 a
second reservoir of 45,000 liter
capacity was constructed, thus
augmenting the water supply
water for 157 households
B) Shivkalin Tanks (rainwater harvesting
structures used by Shivaji) with
complete stone structures (bottom
sealed with stone and cement)
1. Gaothan: 619054.00
2. Rautwadi: 544738.00
C) Repairs of D.W.S.S.
(1) Pump house: 46,602.00
(2) Pumping machinery: 121,397.00
(3) Pumping main: 574,830.00
(4) GSR: 221,301.00
(5) Distribution system: 632,794.00
(6) Trial run: 11,995.00
(7) P.E.: 50,155.00
Total: 1,659,074.00
15
E) Geophysical survey: 1,500.00
Total expenditure: 5,550,707.00
The village had initially
constructed a tank with a 30,000
liter capacity in 1980 from which
water was supplied to stand posts
and no household water supply was
available. Under the German project,
during 2006-07 a second reservoir of
45,000 liter capacity was constructed,
thus augmenting the water supply
water for 157 households. Of the 157
families in the hilly village, 70 have
household connections and 87 collect
water from stand posts.
Water tax is collected in January
of every year and for these 87
families, the rate stands at `400
per year, with no security deposit
charged. One person oversees the
daily water supply twice a day
and is paid `1,670 per month by
the Panchayat. The water supply
from two reservoirs is provided by
gravitational force from its point of
installation on the hilltop. However,
water is pumped from the source to
two reservoirs, for which a yearly
cost of about `40,000 is incurred
for electricity.
The challenge of storing drinking
water during the lean months is
resolved through rooftop rainwater
harvesting with the participation and
a 10 percent contribution (`2,000)
from the respective households.
This method is replicable in similar
hilly villages facing drinking water
shortages during the dry months.
Kumar Kherkar, WSSO,
Maharashtra
Sachin Vittnal Adsul, DWSM,
Pune.
Tel: 09667195740
SPOTLIGHT
NGP Village in Pune
District Moves Ahead
Pimpalgaon Tarfe sets up a wastewater treatment system
with its own resources
T
he accumulation of wastewater and
blockage of open drains pollutes
the environment and adds to the health
risk of children and women. Yet, this
is the usual scene in many villages
across India. With the introduction of
household-based financial assistance for
The Gram Sevak revealed
that wastewater treatment
technology was adopted from
a book on the environment
and implemented in the
village by the GP
SLWM in NBA, new initiatives
are being taken in states. However,
there is a capacity gap with respect
to the location specific, customized
knowledge and SLWM skills in
most GPs. A visit to Pimpalgaon
Tarfe, an NGP-awarded GP of the
Ambegaon Block of the Pune District in
Maharashtra, would prove fascinating
to someone from the Water, Sanitation,
and Hygiene (WASH) sector interested
in how a GP, by its own initiative,
can acquire knowledge of wastewater
treatment technology. The Gram
Sevak, Mr. Ravindra Khadare, revealed
that wastewater treatment technology
was adopted from a book on the
environment and implemented in the
village by the GP.
New initiatives taken up at Pimpalgaon Tarfe for wastewater treatment
16
Future Plan for Upgradation of
Wastewater Treatment System
The GP plans to further upgrade the
wastewater treatment system by adding
three more tanks, as advised by the expert
from Pune.
The GP plans to upgrade the wastewater treatment system
Details
Three cement wastewater stabilization tanks
have been constructed:
i) First tank: From the covered drains,
wastewater pours into the first tank, 14
feet long, 12.5 feet wide, and 10 feet
deep.
ii) Second tank: After the solid particles
settle in the first tank, the partially
treated wastewater flows through a pipe
to the second tank, 14 feet long, 12.3 feet
wide, and 8 feet deep.
iii) Third tank: Following the treatment
of the wastewater in the second tank, the
partially treated wastewater flows from
the second tank to the third concrete
tank, 14 feet long, 12 feet wide, and
7 feet deep. This completes the
treatment process.
iv) Fourth earthen tank: After the
wastewater is treated through the three
concrete tanks, the treated water is led
by gravitational force into an irregularly
shaped earthen tank, 33 feet long, 18
feet wide, and 5 feet deep. From the
collection tank, the treated wastewater
is pumped to the community garden to
irrigate the decorative plants grown in
the park of the GP.
Sequence of
Wastewater
Treatment Tanks
Analysis of Levels of BOD and COD
in Wastewater Treatment Tanks
In order to assess the level of treatment
of wastewater received through covered
drains, water samples were collected by
the reporter in empty mineral water bottles
from each of the three cement tanks and
the fourth earthen tank, which were then
analyzed in the laboratory of the sewage
treatment plant in Pune. The results of the
analysis of wastewater samples collected in
the Pimpalgaon Tarfe GP are shown in
Table 1 below.
BOD
COD
TSS
PH
UNIT
Tank 1
55
296
135
7.76
mg/liter
Tank 2
50
136
40
7.85
,,
Tank 3
50
104
48
7.89
,,
Tank 4 (final treated
water reservoir
ready for irrigation)
40
80
70
8.11
,,
NOTE: To irrigate an agricultural crop, a biochemical oxygen demand
(BOD) level of 120 mg/liter is sufficient. In the first tank, the BOD level
is 55 on entry and 40 on exit. Therefore, no further increase is required in
number of treatment chamber. Only when discharging into flowing water
such as a river or stream should the BOD level be less than 30. Hence,
even without treatment, with a BOD level of 55 mg/liter, this water could
be used for irrigation immediately. Decisions must be made on the type
and extent of treatment needed, based on the place of discharge and the
levels of BOD and chemical oxygen demand (COD).
17
A total of `3 lakh was spent from
the personal resources of a ZP member
from the GP for the construction
of three cement tanks. The amount
would be recovered from the `20 lakh
sanctioned by the ZP for the SLWM.
Break-up of Proposed SLWM
Project (Cost: `20 lakh)
The following has been sanctioned for
the augmentation of the SLWM system
of the village from the NBA Fund:
The source of drinking water is groundwater. Water tax
of `600 is collected per year from each family with a
household connection, and each family contributes `1,000
as security. Families using common stand posts pay `150
per year. However, there is sufficient scope to enhance
water security in the village and to some neighboring
villages by treating surface water from the river that
flows alongside the village instead of using ground water.
Although a perennial river flows alongside the village, the
water source is not utilized
Particulars
Quantity
Cost (`)
Construction of NADEP solid waste
management system
6
210,043.00W
Soak pit with screen chamber
5
527,210.00
Settling tanks
3
1,295,616.00
Total: `2,032,900.00
Augmentation of Solid
Waste Management
The GP has purchased a diesel van
from its own resources to collect solid
waste from households. A solid waste
dumping cement tank has already
been constructed near the wastewater
treatment plant, and six more NADEP
tanks have been approved at a cost of
`2.1 lakh. Approval has been given for
the construction of five soak pits with
screen chambers at a cost of `5.312
lakh. In addition to the three existing
wastewater treatment tanks, approval
was given to construct three additional
tanks at a cost of `12.96 lakh. The
construction of three more garbage pits
is also planned.
Covered Drains
With the funds available under the
12th and 13th Finance Commission,
concrete roads and 447 m of cement
covered drains have been constructed
at a cost of `8.50 lakh. All drains will be
upgraded to concrete covered drains by
using resources from other programs.
Sanitation Status
All 952 individual households in
the village possess toilets and are
maintaining and using them, and there
is no open defecation in the village due
to strong influence from the community.
There are separate toilets and urinals in
all schools, and child-friendly toilets are
used in the Anganwadis.
Dr. T.K. Das
Contact Person
Pavindra K. Khandare
Tel: 09766506941
A newsletter jointly produced by:
Editorial board
Saraswati Prasad, Joint Secretary, Sanitation
Satyabrata Sahu, Joint Secretary, Water
Sujoy Mazumdar, Director, Sanitation
M.M. Singh, Director, Water
D. Rajsekhar, DA
Dr. Tapan Kumar Das, NRC Consultant (IEC), Member Secretary and
Nodal Officer (Tel: 011-24364807/8826011268; [email protected])
All correspondence to be sent to the Nodal Officer
Drinking Water Supply
In 2007, a reservoir with a 100,000
liter capacity was installed at a
cost of `17 lakh to provide water
twice daily to 200 households.
The source of drinking water is
groundwater. Water tax of `600 is
collected per year from each family
with a household connection, and
each family contributes `1,000 as
security. Families using common
stand posts pay `150 per year.
However, there is sufficient scope
to enhance water security in the
village and to some neighboring
villages by treating surface water
from the river that flows alongside
the village instead of using ground
water. Although a perennial river
flows alongside the village, the
water source is not utilized.
Ministry of Drinking Water
and Sanitation
Ministry of Drinking Water and Sanitation
(Rajiv Gandhi National Drinking Water Mission), Government of India,
Paryavaran Bhawan, CGO Complex, Lodhi Road, New Delhi 110 003
18