Water conservation efforts by building

ferrocement tanks

What are these water conservation efforts?

Why are they important?

Eastern region of Maharashtra (Marathwada) suffers from severe scarcity of water. Even during the rainy season, 60% of the population is dependent on water supply from other regions.
Towards the end of the monsoon, when water reservoirs are supposed to be abundantly filled with recently accumulated rain water, the water reservoirs are left with less than 3% of the cumulative water stock.
Even though the Western region of Maharashtra (Velhe and Bhor), is blessed with plenty of rainfall, the hilly terrains present the challenge storing the bountiful rain, where insufficient storage of rainwater often leads to drought and water shortage.
Harsh summer temperatures in this region averages around 40°C (104°F) often exacerbating the severity of water shortage problems.
Since the majority of the families in these regions are situated beneath the poverty line, purchasing water from other regions is not a viable option.
On account of their low population density/ square feet, these regions often fail to get priority and benefit from the water conservation initiatives run by the government of India schemes, hence JP believes that these regions warrant our special attention.
In this day and age of 5G network, villagers from these regions are required to walk an average of 1.5 km to 2 km (~ 1 mile) to just to fetch water for their domestic use from distant water sources. Even then, the quality of the fetched water is generally less than ideal for human consumption.

What are the solutions for the water scarcity issue?

One of the tried and tested approaches to address water scarcity issues in these areas is to develop a sustainable infrastructure for water storage and water distribution.
Ferrocement technology is a simpler and cost-effective version of reinforced cement concrete (RCC) construction.
Ferrocement tanks are durable and have the capacity to store about 10,000 liters to 20,000 liters (roughly 2500 to 5000 gallons) of water.
The maintenance costs of ferrocement tanks are low and predictable.

Water conservation necessity

Water conservation solution

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Jnana Prabodhini's approach to address the water scarcity issue in these villages is to help the affected population to address their needs by building ferrocement tanks.

Therefore, Jnana Prabodhini’s approach to resolve the water scarcity issue in these villages is to help the affected population by building ferrocement tanks.

The vision of this project is to increase the availability of water by constructing ferrocement tanks.
Providing education to the people on techniques fostering efficient use of water.
Reduce physical efforts of the villagers to walk long distances for fetching water.
Some villages are located in hilly terrain, where it becomes difficult for water tankers to reach, these tanks will provide a solution of storing water for a longer duration and hence, reduce the demand of tankers.
It enhances the local livelihood opportunities for local mesons and unskilled laborers by providing them employment opportunities.
Keeping in mind the health and safety of the villagers, purification systems are installed to ensure the quality of drinking water.
Villagers would receive training regarding the use and the required maintenance of the tanks and the equipment, to ensure that the equipment and tanks would be maintained on a regular basis.

Impact

8 ferrocement tanks will be built providing ample water supply to 8 villages consisting of around 800 households and cattle

Water scarcity issue has severe repercussions, especially for deprived families located in remote hamlets/villages that are inaccessible during the rainy season. This issue will be addressed by 8 ferrocement tanks that have a cumulative water storage capacity of 80,000 liters.
Villagers as well as their cattle will have year round access to clean drinking water more than 85 % of the time.
Villagers will be trained on water conservation techniques and maintenance of the system.
Availing year round water supply will cause considerable reduction in seasonal migration to cities.
Rainwater harvesting will help strengthen water resources in the villages.

What are all the activities done till now?

water conservation impact

water conservation activities done till now

13 tanks

13 villages

155,000 liters available

Villages of Guhini and Kambre Budruk where water had to be supplied by tankers for more than 10 years are now tanker free and get tap water.
In the village of Dehen, spring water is stored in the tanks and also with the help of local administrative governing body a water distribution system is installed.
100 households from small village of Rudrawadi Tanda benefit from clean water supply by installation and maintenance of RO Water Purification and Dispensing unit.
Village of Burudmaal is a remote pastoral locality near Bhatghar Dam. Prabodhini built tanks in this village which ensures water availability to around 40 people and cattle in 8 households.
We not only build new tanks, but also repair and reconstruct old wells. In Guhini, an old well was reconstructed by Jnana Prabodhini.
Varoti Khurd, Kusgaon and Rudrawadi are other places where Prabodhini built Ferro cement tanks.
Water can be stored in the tank and made available in spite of the irregular timing of power cuts. This is only possible because of ferrocement water storage tank.

How does it work?

Jnana Prabodhini always emphasizes people's initiatives and participation.

wter conservation how does it work and cost

How can I help?

JPF is gathering funds to allow construction of 8 ferrocement tanks by end of 2020. The estimate of this is around $16,000 for which break-down is as seen in the table below: