SAFE WATER SOLUTIONS- Prof. John Kurakar

SAFE WATER SOLUTIONS

Prof. John Kurakar

Water is a huge problem across India. Equally, and probably much more seriously, water quality is also a problem in many parts of India. As access to water declines, water quality also declines, leading to explosion of water-borne diseases, affecting the poor, disadvantaged and disempowered sections of society. Not much focus has been given to this aspect of water issue. Clean water is a right that has been accepted by the Constitution of India, Solutions to improve water quality are often not discussed, and many are not aware of both technical and legal aspects of water quality. Policy prescriptions do not go beyond drinking water standards, which are static and do not enthuse even the scientists.

Almost 900 million people worldwide lack access to safe water; polluted lakes and waterways diminish livelihoods and health; and 2.6 billion people (almost half the population of the developing world) lack access to adequate sanitation.

India’s huge and growing population is putting a severe strain on all of the country’s natural resources. Most water sources are contaminated by sewage and agricultural runoff. India has made progress in the supply of safe water to its people, but gross disparity in coverage exists across the country. Although access to drinking water has improved, the World Bank estimates that 21% of communicable diseases in India are related to unsafe water. In India, diarrhea alone causes more than 1,600 deaths daily—the same as if eight 200-person jumbo-jets crashed to the ground each day. Hygiene practices also continue to be a problem in India. Latrine usage is extremely poor in rural areas of the country; only 14% of the rural population has access to a latrine. Hand washing is also very low, increasing the spread of disease. In order to decrease the amount of disease spread through drinking-water, latrine usage and hygiene must be improved simultaneously.

Among all the States in India, Kerala had ample drinking water, this was not the case, particularly in rural areas. There are 1,164 problem villages without adequate supply of drinking water. Even in villages where drinking water schemes have been implemented, there are vast areas that have not been covered yet. There are 41 west-flowing and three east-flowing rivers in Kerala. Together, they contribute an annual discharge of 72,000 million cubic metres of water to the Arabian Sea. The storage by means of medium irrigation and hydro-electric dams represents only 5.5 per cent of this quantity. The rest is simply discharged into the Arabian Sea without any meaningful utilization.

The Kerala Water Authority had prepared a drinking water master plan for the State. But this was not implemented seriously. Thus the only available solution seems to be construction of check-dams and sub-surface dams across the rivers of the State. The State has the water source, labour force and capital can be mobilized for drinking water schemes. But properly planned schemes are not implemented efficiently due to the Government apathy and the people’s indifference to the problem. The Government should prepare a master plan for solving the drinking water problem in the State. The Panchayat raj institutions should give top priority to drinking water schemes.

Some Solutions:

1-Use less water

Think about it, when you are showering, a 10 minute shower is about 20 gallons of water wasted. Try and only use water for the things you really actually need it for.

2-Solar powered treatment

Using energy efficient treatment is not only more natural, but also cheaper, which is good because we are using less money for individuals, and more for everyone!

3-Improve irrigation and agricultural practices

There are some methods of agriculture and irrigation that use a lot of water, but some don't realize there are ones that are more conservative for water usage.

4-Invent new water conservation technologies

There is the future and who knows what will come out as a good invention! The main idea is to overall conserve more clean water without loads of money getting put in.

5-Make more wells

Water recycles itself on earth so water conservation is a waste of money. Just dig more wells.M

The more wells the better because there will be more available water. -

6-Recycle wastewater

Recycling water water is good because we can save more water. -

Reduce pollution

Reducing pollution can ensure more safe water with less deaths of infections that come from dirty water.

Educate people on issue

Give social awareness to use water and water related problems.

Kerala has the most number of wells per sq.km. It is the highest in the whole world. More than 80% of the people depend on well water for their daily use including drinking.But, E.coli count was as high as 2,400 in 15 samples collected from well water from as many local bodies in rural and urban areas in Kerala. According to a survey, faecal intrusion has made ground water in Kerala town and rural areas unfit for human consumption. A sample survey of well water conducted by Suchitwa Mission (DSM) reveals that presence of E.coli bacteria has reached dangerous levels in ground water.DSM collected 15 samples of well water from as many local bodies in rural and urban areas from Kerala. Of the 15 only one sample had ‘satisfactory’ results after they were tested at the Regional Analytical Lab. The laboratory report recommended that most of the wells sampled be drained and disinfected. Fresh water should then be disinfected using bleaching powder in the proportion of 10 mg per 4,000 litres. Ideally, this disinfection process should be done every fortnight. One survey revealed that in rural areas single unscientifically created pits replaced septic tanks.Pits should not extend beyond the maximum depth of 1.20 metres in areas with laterite soil. In sandy areas such as coastal regions it should be within 30 cm to prevent the pit from coming into contact with ground water. But it was found that the pits were drawn at the maximum depth possible in many areas. Some areas septic tanks were also found to be constructed in faulty manner. Septic tanks are supposed to facilitate sucking out its content periodically to allow cleaning. A majority of the septic tanks were also found permanently sealed. The DSM has planned to launch a massive awareness campaign on seepage management.

1-Burial Ground: If the well is near a burial ground where bodies are not charred then there is a chance of decomposed oily appearance above the water.2-Septic Tanks: Septic tanks should be at least 15meters away from the well.3-Dumping Ground: If there is large scale waste dumping in the vicinity, water will get contaminated.4-Industries: If there are any large industries like coir, fertilizer and other chemical units then along with rain water everything dissolves and mixes with the well water.

Natural Remedies

Amala Heart Wood (Nelli Palaka): In Kerala, most wells are built using laterite stones. In some, just the base part is bolstered using laterite and in others, it’s used all the way up. The strength of the surrounding soil is considered when making this choice. Many old wells use the Heart wood of Indian Gooseberry tree in the base area. This not just cools the water but the Gooseberry wood also has tremendous medicinal qualities. This wood never corrodes in water. Charred Coconut Shell: Activated charcoal commonly used nowadays for certain type of poison treatment, water purification and in many other industrial uses. Reason is simple; 1 gram of activated charcoal has more than 1500 square meter of surface area. Because of its adsorption quality, it helps in trapping impurities. Charred coconut shell would be tied in a muslin cloth or mesh cloth and dipped inside the well water for few days. This practice was prevalent in Kerala and would be done once in every few months.

Kinar le Koova (Arrowroot of the well): This plant has almost disappeared from many villages and older generation people also don’t know about it, except a few. This is a type of aquatic arrowroot which floats in the water with stem, tuber and has fibrous roots. Roots attract most type of residue, also there was a recent study published about it that it controls and kills e-coli.

Moringa tree: Drumstick trees are said to draw toxins and store it in the stem. Many traditional wells have moringa tree planted close. Alum: Alum also helps in killing germs and it also attracts residue which otherwise would float on the water. Sunlight: It’s essential that well water, or any drinking water for that matter, sees sunlight. UV rays kill bacteria and I also believe it charges water which can help synthesis Vitamin D. Sunlight gives water life. Make sure to draw water manually daily and not always use a motor.

Protect the top: Ensure that nothing falls into the well easily by constructing at least a 3 foot high wall on the well and also cover it with a net. Clean you water tanks: Make sure you clean your overhead water tanks once in six months. Most of the ones I have noticed in Kerala are in horrible condition. Copper Vessel & Boiling: Before buying an expensive water purifier, please don’t forget the basics – boil and cool! If you are lazy then purchase good quality copper vessel; it does wonders.

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