Access to clean water for P.A.C.E women

Swasti has been working in Thimmampalli Gram Panchayat on various issues since 2007. Since 2011, we have worked with 376 women in this Gram Panchayat on life skills education through the Gap Inc. P.A.C.E. in Community program. Since November 2014, these women and their communities have faced a shortage of water for their basic household needs.

The problem

Thimmampalli and its surrounding areas are semi-arid and drought-prone. Ground water is contaminated by fluoride and has to be treated to make it safe for drinking and cooking. Swasti has established a water treatment plant here, in 2013. Ground water is pumped into the treatment plant, purified and then supplied to households. Ground water sources have begun to run dry and as has the source of the water to the water treatment plant.  As a result, the water treatment plant is not functional. Women who participated in the Gap Inc. P.A.C.E. in Community (PIC) program and their communities are being severely impacted by the water shortage, for all their needs, including having clean water for drinking and cooking.

What was planned

We wanted to temporarily address the drinking water needs by piping in water from a distant ground water source. This water was to be brought to the water treatment plant and then supplied to the communities. We planned to simultaneously begin working on re-charging ground water, which includes leveling catchment areas and building check dams. The rainy season was just a few months away, and this would allow for the rain water to be conserved.

What was done 

The Gram Panchayat, responsible for supply of water, had been working very closely with the Public Works Department and the Zilla Panchayat to find a solution to drinking water not being available . As a result of continuous advocacy and persuasion by the Gram Panchayat with the MLA (Member of Legislative Assembly) and PWC (Public Welfare Committee), a new bore-well was dug.  In Mar 2015 (when we launched this project on Global Giving), the Gram Panchayat had insufficient budgets to complete the plumbing and electrical work required to pump the water to the Thimmampalli plant.  The Panchayat members were also expecting elections to be announced at that time and work gets stalled due to the Code of Conduct at election time.

We had planned to raise money required for the electric and civil engineering work, however, the Gram Panchayat and the Zilla Panchayat were able to complete it themselves in early April. Water supply to the water treatment plant started in early April and approx. 3740 litres of water has been distributed across 40 families in the month of April. There have been some difficulties with electricity and pumping equipment in April which are expected to be resolved completely in May, after which the plant should be able to function at full capacity.  

The immediate water need has been addressed without any support from us. This has meant that our original project budget has decreased by approximately USD 5000. The need to recharge ground water and look at long-term sustainability of water sources still remains and for this,  we have secured all the funding for the remaining amount (~USD12000) from Gap Inc.