#14. Arsenic and Iron-Free Water regards the community participation
A quality affected village by the name of Gunnowal in Jandiala block of Amritsar district shelters 1443 people in 270 houses, out of which 213 households have water connections provided from 75,000 litres OHSR. During the survey and water testing by the Department of Water Supply and Sanitation team, arsenic and iron heavy metals were detected in the groundwater sample from the village at 0.017mg/ltr. Initiatives to eliminate arsenic and iron from the groundwater was ensured by an arsenic and iron removal plant of capacity 150KL installed in February 2021 by Indian Institute of Technology, Madras. Estimated expenditure on plant was Rs. 30.97 lac. Promotion of Arsenic and Iron free water was also conducted through various tools and techniques. Community awareness campaigns were conducted regularly for taps installation, timely submission of monthly tariffs and water conservation of Arsenic and Iron Free water.
Main Contribution to run the scheme goes to GPWSC Chairperson Smt. Charanjeet Kaur and GPWSC Secretary Sh. Daljeet Singh. Champions of the village along with DWSS Team conducted intensive Social and IEC campaign regularly to motivate community regarding individual own source water and RO Water.
Following were done to aware the community regarding health issues related to Arsenic & Iron free water:
- Monthly GPWSC meetings
- Focus group discussions
- Women mohalla meetings
- Door to door campaign
- Water testing camps
- Announcements from Gurdwara Sahib
- Muniyadi
- Women empowerment Camps
- Training programme with ASHA worker, AWWs and women member of the village.
- Capacity Building Trainings for men, children, and women
- Training to Pump operator regarding documentation and record keeping.
Owing to the social and IEC activities, community is totally aware of the advantages of Arsenic & Iron free water. No one in the village is wasting water and timely submission of monthly tariff to pump operator is done at a fixed price Rs 100 Per HH by GPWSC.
As a result, they have a handsome savings of Rs 1,00,000/- in O&M account and no pending electricity bill in the village. During the pandemic of COVID-19 situation community paid monthly tariff regularly as they get satisfactory drinking water level. Community was grateful to the DWSS for providing safe & Arsenic and Iron free water in the village.
Paani di Kahaani (ਪਾਣੀ ਦੀ ਕਹਾਣੀ) 