On the ground

A rain-deprived area needs more water as existing government systems cannot provide a regular supply. There are no protected drinking water facilities in schools.

The proposed villages – Badinehal, Gowdagallu, Yerigeri, Kowthalam, Kosigi and Manthralayam – fall under rain shadow area where the average annual rainfall is only 500 to 570mm. Scarcity of water is one of the biggest problems as the rainfall is so unpredictable. Drought is a common phenomenon in Kurnool district affecting severely the lives of the people.

Badinehal, Gowdagallu and Yerigeri in Kurnool district have been suffering for want of water as existing Government systems are unable to provide regular water supply. Moreover, the water is salty and not useful for drinking which affects the health of the people. Women have to walk 2 to 3 Kms to fetch the good water through pulling carts and it affects their productivity.

With regard to Government schools and colleges at Kowthalam, Kosigi and Manthralayam in Kurnool district, there was no protected drinking water facility for the students. Though mid-day meal is provided to them by the Government, discordantly the safe drinking water is not served. They were drinking locally available contaminated water which affected the health conditions of the students.

Hence, it was proposed to implement water supply schemes in order to provide uninterrupted supply of water through the public taps in strategic locations in 3 villages. Besides, it was also proposed to install RO water plants in 3 Government schools / colleges with an aim of providing safe drinking water to the students studying in these institutions.

In detail

The project has been implemented by the Habitat sector of RDT / Vicente Ferrer Foundation through its Civil Engineers under the supervision of Regional Engineer and Assistant Technical Director and the administration of the Director – Habitat.

This project contributes to improve the accessibility of water for both the villagers and school students. They will have uninterrupted water supply throughout the year. It leads to improve the health conditions of the communities as well as the students.

The proposed activities were implemented by Habitat sector of RDT / Vicente Ferrer Foundation without engaging any Civil Contractors in order to achieve more quality and make it more cost effective. The concerned departmental Engineers were involved to implement the project under the guidance and supervision of the Assistant Technical Director. The utmost importance has been given to maintain the quality in work. Hence the structures are considered to be long lasting.

Besides, meetings and workshops were organized to enhance the awareness among the beneficiaries.

Community Development Committee members, Panchayat members and Student Representatives are involved in the process of follow up and monitoring the project to ensure the quality. Once the project was completed, the water supply systems were handed over to the Village Panchayats for future maintenance. The Village Panchayats maintain them with the help of Rural Water Supply Scheme and Sanitation Department of the Government of Andhra Pradesh. In case of RO plants, the School Authorities have taken responsibility of the maintenance with the contingent funds allocated by the Government of Andhra Pradesh.

Prospects for sustainability

Apart, RDT / Vicente Ferrer Foundation continues to work in these villages and effective follow up and hand holding support will be given by concerned staff in the post-project period to ensure its sustainability.