#37. GPWSC Sustaining O&M of Water Supply Schemes in Village Patti Sekhawan District Barnala, Punjab
Introduction:
Village Patti is located on Sekhwaan Block on Village Link Road of Barnala. It is located at about 7 km from Barnala town. There are about 172 houses in this village and population of the village is about 900. Most of the people of the village are dependent on agriculture. At present, all households of the village have drinking water connections and water supply scheme in the village is functioning satisfactorily. Village Patti was facing problem of potable water as the village water tube well was damaged. Water facilities arranged by villagers did not meet the basic standards of potable water. As a result, health of villagers was adversely affected, and a large part of their income was spent on treatments diseases. Many villagers become very weak mentally and economically. The case study is on Village Patti, where provision of regular water supply has been done under Jal Jeevan Mission and Gram Panchayat Water Sanitation Committee has played a big role in sustained O & M of the water supply scheme.
To improve existing water supply situation, DWSS officials contacted the village gram panchayat and gave them detailed information about the water supply schemes planned by the department. The officials visited the village, and they asked the villagers to hold a meeting. The Gram Panchayat held a meeting at the designated place of the village, in which the social staff of DWSS addressed the gathering of the village. DWSS staff explained about the about the policy and scheme of the department and it was told that the water supply scheme to be constructed in the village will be a community sustained scheme. It was informed that the villagers will have to take the responsibility to operate and maintain the scheme. Necessary contribution will have to be done by the villagers for repairing pipeline, arrange salary of pump operator, etc. Initially the gram panchayat and the villagers did not show deep interest in it. Officials of DWSS then coordinated with social organizations in the village like Gurudwara Sahib committee, club members, self-help groups and other Anganwadi and health department employees to make this project a public movement. In the village, DWSS officials went from house to house and talked about drinking water. Wall paintings were prepared and put up in important places in the village to give information about need and benefits of clean drinking water. Posters were also put up. School rally was organized and pamphlets were distributed in the village to make people aware. These activities generated awareness amongst the villagers. GPWSC was formed within the village as per norms.
Social and IEC Interventions
Social and IEC interventions were necessary in the project. In order to campaign for improvement of water supply in the village, a meeting was held with the people in the village and information was given about the intent to supply water to each household. As a result, awareness came in the village and people agreed to support and participate under the water supply scheme. Water testing camps were organized in the village to campaign on water quality. IEC Activities such as social mapping, trajectory walks, door-to-door visits and entertainment tools were taken up to touch the minds of the people.
Issues and Challenges:
Challenges were faced in the project. Due to installation of both private submersible and panchayat pumps in the village, there was confusion amongst villagers on taking water connection.
Sustainable O & M of Water Supply Scheme in Village:
The GPWSC formed in the village had 11members, which included elderly women of the village. To strengthen the committee, training was given by DWSS staff to bring about change in the people’s perception, in which detailed information was given regarding GPWSC’s role and responsibility, chlorination and operation and maintenance, record maintenance such as logbook, cash book, ledger book, receipt book and complaint register, leakage repair, etc. Every ward committee member was given responsibility for these works. GPWSC meeting is held every month. During the meeting, the problems related to water supply of the village and record of income and expenditure are discussed. DWSS provided training to five women in the village on field water test kit. DWSS launched M Gram Seva App to maintain records of schemes in an accurate and transparent manner. It was welcomed with enthusiasm by the committee and information regarding this was conveyed from house to house in all the villages. All the data of the village was uploaded on the M Gram Seva app. This village has become the first village of Circle Sangrur to pay bills through M Gram Seva app.
Lessons Learnt:
The lesson learnt in the case study are:
- Community participation is key to sustainable operation and maintenance of rural water supply schemes.
ii) Formation of Gram panchayat water and sanitation committee (GPWSC) is the outcome of effective community participation. The committee members need to be trained on different aspects of operation and maintenance of schemes. Concerned government agencies need to provide required trainings periodically.
iii) Skill training of villagers on operation and maintenance is essential for sustainable O & M of water supply schemes. Additionally, training on use of digital technology in O & M of water supply schemes is required to improve performance of the schemes.
Paani di Kahaani (ਪਾਣੀ ਦੀ ਕਹਾਣੀ) 