Context

Water Sources

The development of a safe and reliable water supply system has vast economic, social and environmental benefits to the Devikulam community. Currently, the community water is supplied from three different bores, one of which has been identified as ‘saline’ by those living in the colony. Water from this bore is not used for human consumption but for other purposes such as washing, flushing and cleaning. The other two other bores were used to supply a 30 000 litre storage tank and distributed through a network to be supplied to the villagers for various purposes, including drinking. At the moment one of those bores is no longer functioning leaving only one bore for supplying the storage tank. The bore servicing the tank is situated close to the village pond which is also used for bathing, washing and watering cattle, washing machinery and clothes etc. Households in the colony are not directly linked to the village supply, and rely on using a common tap to attain suitable drinking water. Access to the village tap for drinking water is only available for one hour in the morning and one hour in the evening, thus water is collected in large vessels for daily use.

Recently, sanitation tests have been completed on the water supplies from the three main taps. The analysis indicates that the greatest areas of concern for the water supply are salinity and bacterial contamination. Saltwater intrusion may increase the salinity of the water, making it unfit for drinking. In addition during monsoon periods polluted water from the pond and surrounding areas that is contaminated with human or animal waste could flow into the bore and pollute it having significant implications for human health.

Currently salinity levels are acceptable and the water is still safe for drinking. With salt-water intrusion increasing in the area due to over extraction of groundwater, it is reasonable however to assume that the level of salinity may continue to increase over time. If this is the case the village will have to either remove the salt or find another freshwater supply, both of these options would come at a significant cost.

As mentioned earlier the other area of concern for water quality is bacteria count. While current levels of bacteria are extremely low, there is still an indication of their precence in the water supply. It is quite possible that the detected bacteria are as a result of contamination from the distribution network, the tank or even during sampling. For these reasons it has been identified as a priority to quarantine the bore area from cattle and human contamination.

After consultation with the community about water quality and usage, the following issues were raised:

• The bore well in the colony has saline water
• There is a need for installation of a solar pump on the larger tank in order to ensure constant supply during power cuts
• The condition of taps is poor resulting in high levels of water wastage
• The community has proposed that the smaller bore well which is 130 ft deep and under repair could be used for installation of a possible purification system.

 Sanitation

The provision of appropriate wastewater treatment is extremely important to sustained environmental and human health. The common practice of open defecation in Devikulam has the potential to transfer pathogens to both water and food supplies. Several wastewater treatment systems have been applied in the surrounding region to varying degrees of success. Dry or compost toilets for instance have been commonly implemented and have significant benefits (not requiring water and allowing for simple and safe waste disposal). They have been introduced in rural villages with varying rates of success dependant on each village’s social dynamic. It is suggested that if they are to be implemented, significant educational support would be required. Other methods that have been practiced include;

• Baffle Reactor and Pond
• Septic Tank and Drain Field
• Bio-digester
• Compost Toilet with Urine Separation
• Horizontal Flow Wetland

Although the provision of biomass systems for wastewater treatment has also been considered, it is understood that its implementation would require significant support as the idea of using human waste as a fertiliser clashes with local beliefs and values.

Septic tanks and distribution systems as well as lagoons have previously been applied, however they present concerns during heavy rainfall periods when waste can be mixed with water supplies. The pond and baffle reactor solution has a proven track record in local communities, though one disadvantage of this system is the requirement to provide a pump and the costs associated with implementation and maintenance of the pump.

Additional Resources

INNOVATIONS REPORT extract - Water Innovations