Water Environment and Sanitation

Ecological changes in the area is playing an important role in accentuating the transmission of water borne diseases such as malaria by improving vector breeding conditions and survival. People use Indira Gandhi Canal water directly for drinking. The study ‘Water and Health- of the IGNP’ found that 70.6% of the people surveyed were afflicted with diseases due to bacterial and heavy metal content in the water of the canals.
The area is also considered to be a fluoride ridden water zone with high content of gypsum. Community does not practices any method of water purification though alum usage was found in very few communities.

Despite the poor quality of water, 77% families have still reported access to adequate and safe drinking water in the baseline , 2009. Incidence of diarrhea among children is reported at 1%. Storage of water continue to be primary concerns with traditional methods of ponds and wells being given up by the community.
A study on Girl Child Education in the project area found – ‘for older girls who have attained puberty lack of bathrooms is sufficient reason to withdraw the girls from school. The awareness of the community on good hygienic practices and the adoption of the same is very low and the practice of open defecation in the rural areas results in only 6% families disposing off excreta in a sanitary manner.
To address the mentioned issues, organisation developed, implemented and monitored the project in consultation and with support from donor agency, community members, duty bearers and PRI members.

a) Assessment of WES in Schools & ICDS Centers by engaging children, SMC &community members.
b) Capacity building training of SMC members on WES.
c) Support SMC in minor repairing works in Toilets & Water bodies, Garbage disposal systems.
d) Upgradation of 10 latrines in schools.
e) Coordination meeting of PHED/ Health / icds and TSC officials.
f) Celebration of Global Hand wash day in Schools.
g) Coordination meeting with local govt.(NRDWP, MGNREGA, NBA & SSA) on preparation village level WASH plans.
h) Construction of household individual toilets.
i) Testing of water quality in schools.
j) Providing Health & Hygiene kit/ refills to govt. schools.
k) Training of children club members on WES.
l) Wall painting on hygiene at AWC & Schools.
m) Construction of Child friendly toilets.

a) WASH facilities have been provide in 28 school this year. In total 45 schools, minor repair and maintenance work has been carried out by engaging SMCs.
b) 110 schools have functional drinking water, separate toilet and urination facilities for girls and boys.
c) 2104 new house hold level toilets have been constructed in the reporting period. Out of these 177 toilets at ultra poor families have been constructed with NBA, MNREGA, Plan and family contribution, while rest of the toilets have been constructed by leveraging funds from NBA & MNREGA.
d) Due to increased demand, 5000 new household toilets have been approved by NBA.
e) 12 new Gram Panchayats have been awarded Nirmal Gram Puruskar this year. Urmu-Plan was engaged in planning and developing these GPs as for NGPs.
f) Garbage management drive was organized in 16 villages, as a result communities have developed garbage disposal unites outside their habitation.
g) Hand washing practices were continued in all the 110 schools, while health & sanitation kits were refilled in all the schools.
h) In 28 schools wash plan have been developed, SMC members have approached NBA & education department for budget allocation.
i) About 1635 Children & Adolescent group leaders have been oriented about water and sanitation related issues, as a result children are actively participating in managing their schools premises neat and clear. They have also approached SMC and school administration for cleaning and maintenance of toilet facilities.
j) During the year SMC of 45 schools organized cleaning of toilets and urination facilities. Wherever required minor repair work was also carried out by them.