Water

The minimum standards for water supply, sanitation and hygiene promotion (WASH) are a practical expression of the shared beliefs and commitments of humanitarian agencies and the common principles, rights and duties governing humanitarian action that are set out in the Humanitarian Charter. Founded on the principle of humanity, and reflected in international law, these principles include the right to life and dignity, the right to protection and security and the right to receive humanitarian assistance on the basis of need. Everyone has the right to water and sanitation. This right is recognized in international legal instruments and provides for sufficient, safe, acceptable, physically accessible and affordable water for personal and domestic uses and accessible sanitation facilities. States and non – state actors have responsibilities in fulfilling the right to water and sanitation (SPHERE Handbook, 2011)

North Paravur Taluk is aware about water Sanitation and Hygiene practices, even though some areas are highly vulnerable to water scarcity. Therefore most of the Panchayat have pipe water connections. The major scheme for water connection is Jalanidhi. Some areas like Vadakkekara, Chendamangalam, Kottuvally, Ezhikkara etc have the problem of saline water inclusions and they are mainly depending on Jalanidhi program. Public taps are also available in these areas. Households using open wells are comparatively low in Paravur Taluk. Even though they have open wells most have the problem of saline water inclusion. Therefore, people are commonly depending on pipe water. Most of the households have their own sanitation facilities.

Lessons lernt from the field – quality and availability of water

Households of North Paravur taluk mainly depends on pipe water connections than open wells.

In Chendamangalam Gram Panchayat, 30 percent of the households are having open wells. But most of them are damaged and polluted. Therefore, 70 Percent of people are dependent on pipe connection. Besides these, public taps and wells are also available in this Panchayat. Water recharging facilities are available for those who are using open wells. The Panchayat have done a lot of interventions in the field of drinking water, even though the wastage of drinking water by the people is increasing day by day. Proper awareness is necessary to prevent the exploitation of drinking water (Action plan 2020-21, Chendamangalam Gram Panchayat)

2805 households of Vadakkekara Panchayat have open wells. Some people are using bore wells for drinking water. Most of the houses have pipe connections (Jalanidhi). People of this Panchayat are comparatively using pipe connections than wells. Around 50 public taps and public wells are available in this Panchayat. Even though these much facilities are available, some areas like Kunjithai, Maliyankara, Chettikad etc. have still water scarcity problem. Panchayat officials suggested that if they can provide water connection to all people without considering APL or BPL category in our Panchayat will be able to remove much financial burden (Action plan 2020-21, Vadakkekara Panchayat)

Chittattukara Panchayat which experiences water scarcity due to its geographical location and coastal area. However the implementation of Pipeline extension, domestic drinking water connection will ensure the availability of drinking water150 households of Chittattukara Gram Panchayat have their own open wells. 85 % have pipe water connections. 6 public taps and wells are available for the public. Water recharging is already done by the Panchayat in two areas.

Karumallur Panchayat has 60% pipe water connection and 30 % open wells and 10% bore wells. Besides these the Panchayat have public taps and wells around fifty in number. Water recharging facilities are also available. 13th five year plan of the Karumallur Panchayat aims for the protection of traditional water resources. The Panchayat already implemented program to convert open wells in to hygienic water sources, cleaning and maintenance of public wells, and renovation of public ponds.

Puthenvelikara is on the banks of the river Periyar and Chalakudy and Kottapuram Kayal. Lagoons were born out of the influence of natural forces like high tide. Periyar River passes through this village by 8 Kms. Because of the damage in shutter of kanakankadavu regulator, the water is getting contaminated during high tide by the presence of salt content in it. As, the water of chalakudy river is not pure to drink. A bund is constructed annually in the kozhithuruth – Elenthikara to withstand this situation. Kerala Water Authority is supplying water in this area still people are dependent on well to collect water for their uses. During summer they face severe water scarcity. Puthenvelikara Panchayat households have around 4900 wells and pipe connection in 8000 houses. Around 40 public water resources are also available for the public. Some of the households have rain water harvesting systems. 340 wells were recharged recently by the Panchayat.

Kottuvally Gram Panchayat has been carried out many activities in drinking water sector which is one of the primary need. But in the present situation to prevent overuse of drinking water, stringent measures and awareness is needed. Although many water sources are available for household purpose, the community is still interested in using pipe connection.

Kadungallur Gram Panchayat has extended the pipeline in every year to resolve the problem of drinking water scarcity. Besides these, new open wells are also sanctioned in every year. Most of the households are rely on pipe connections for daily uses. The Panchayat have 50 percentage open wells. Water recharging facilities are also available in this Panchayat.

Varapuzha Panchayat is the delta region of Periyar River. All three sides of the Panchayat is surrounded by water. The tributaries of Periyar River are the rivers flowing east, south and west. Varapuzha is a coastal zone. Therefore, people of this area are suffering due to salt water inclusion in wells. So, the wells are useless. Almost 100 households have bore wells but the saline content is high. Their major source of drinking water is pipe connection. Public taps are less in this area.

Alangad Panchayat households are also mainly depend on pipe water connections than open wells, In Ezhikkara Panchayat Most of the households have open wells. However, 80% of the households are using pipe connections. 20% of the water sources are public taps and wells. Water recharging techniques are not in practice. Besides these rejuvenating and treatment of wells, ponds, rain water harvesting are being implemented to raise the water level of the land. They also implemented programmes to prevent water contamination and to deepen the trenches.

Kunnukara Panchayat ensured the availability of water by repairing canals and installing new motors despite the fact that agriculture sector is facing many difficulties nowadays. The Drinking Water Connection Plan was formulated and implemented to address the shortage of fresh water. By providing fresh water connection to houses government is aiming to reduce the number of public taps. In addition, steps have been taken to repair the existing drinking water supply pipeline to ensure access to drinking water.

Generally most of the households in Paravur Taluk are mainly depend on water supply connections especially Jalanidhi, water supply scheme by Kerala Government. Even though Panchayat were installed public taps and public wells. As some of the areas are near to sea and backwaters most of the open wells are facing saline water inclusion.

Except Alangad, Kunnukara, and Varapuzha Panchayat others have bore wells. It’s implemented both legally and illegally. Thousands of households in Chendamangalam Panchayat depend on bore wells. Majority of the households in Paravur Taluk have their own wells. But in Alangad Panchayat only 73 households have their own wells. One of the most important aspects is that, the majority of the wells are useless because of salt water inclusion in the wells.