1. Institute of Rural Research and Development (IRRAD)
(An initiative of the S.M. Sehgal Foundation)
Finding Innovative Solution for Poverty Eradication in India
through sustainable water management models
Photo: Check dam in Patkhori
Salahuddin Saiphy
Program Leader- Water Management, IRRAD, Gurgaon
Together, We Empower Rural India
Institute of Rural Research and Development (IRRAD)

2. Mewat at a Glance
Population: 1.1 Million
Villages: 431
Rain fall: 594 mm (Non-uniformly distribution)
Primary water source: Groundwater (78% - Saline, TDS: >3500 ppm)
• High gradient and low retention time for runoff
• Poor ground water recharging and
• Excessive pumping for domestic and agricultural use
• Depleting fresh water aquifers
• Encroachment of saline ground water
Saline
Fresh Ground Water
F
Saline Groundwater resh Ground Water
Institute of Rural Research And Development
(An initiative of S M Sehgal Foundation)
Institute of Rural Research and Development (IRRAD)
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3. A glimpse of water scarcity in Mewat
Drinking water sources
Limited water sources
Waterfamily sizes
Large contamination
Village streets
1/20/2014
School drinking water tank
Wastage of water supply
School toilets
Institute of Rural Research and Development (IRRAD)
Women drudgery
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4. ‘Mission- Water Collection’
1/20/2014
Institute of Rural Research and Development (IRRAD)
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5. Water crisis in villages
Fresh water village supply
water to 8 villages
Ground water depleting
fast
Community resist
water sharing
Advancing Saline and Shrinking Fresh Ground Water Table
Aravali Hills
Aravali Hills
Advancing saline and shrinking fresh ground water pocket
Ghagas
Ghagas
Karheda
Karheda
2002
Saline Ground Water
Moderate Saline Ground Water
Institute of Rural Research and Development (IRRAD)
2008
Fresh Ground Water
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6. Unfit water for consumption
 Ground water depleting @ 250-1000 mm per year
 Small pockets of sweet water
 Drinking water unfit for consumption (WHO standards)
– Nitrates : > 122%
Blue Baby syndrome, renal failure, hemoglobin reduction,
neurological problems
– Fluorides : > 50%
Dental problems, abnormal bone growth in spine and crippling
– Iron : > 233%
Pancreatic dysfunction, gastro dysfunction, affects liver and kidney
– Biological contamination:
Typhoid, Cholera, dysentery, Hepatitis, Poliomyelitis
Institute of Rural Research And Development
(An initiative of S M Institute of Rural Research and Development (IRRAD)
Sehgal Foundation)
6

7. Major issues
Water salinity and contamination
high concentration of chemical and biological contaminants
low-lying saline aquifers and saline soil encroaching over fresh
Low recharging and high depletion rate
Unsafe disposal of waste water
Lack of water consciousness
Inequitable distribution and faulty distribution network
Unreliable water supply
Dry spells span for 120 days. During these days, women have to
travel 3-4 kilometres to fetch water, adding to their drudgery
Institute of Rural Research and Development (IRRAD)

8. Address the problem through ‘ridge to valley’ approach
Contour Trenches
Aravali hills
Injecting
Wells
Gully Plugs
Small masonry structure
Recharging
Well
Agriculture Area
Farm
Bunding
Stream
Revived
Traditional
Structure
Deep plowing
Roof water
harvesting
Village
Check Dam
Taps Campaign
Soak Pits
Institute of Rural Research and Development (IRRAD)

9. Snapshot of interventions………
Rangala Rajpur
Series of check dams (1.4 km long) in
Rangala Rajpur
Check dam in Santhawari
Pond in Jalalpur
Check dam in Kotla
Institute of Rural Research and Development (IRRAD)

10. Innovative solutions
Replacing compacted clay core by thin masonry core wall saved 20% of cost and time
CHECK DAM STRUCTURE
X-section
Ground Level
Earth filling
Masonry wall
Institute of Rural Research and Development (IRRAD)
Earth filling

11. Innovative solutions
Replacing mass cement masonry by dry stone masonry saved up to 30% of structure cost
SPILL-OVERSTRUCTURE
X-section
Cushion chamber
Dry stone masonry
R/R stone masonry
PCC
Chain link mesh
Down stream guide wall
Institute of Rural Research and Development (IRRAD)

12. Innovative solutions
Institute of Rural Research and Development (IRRAD)

13. Small intervention, big impact
Treating Culverts for rain water harvesting
• Run-off collection on upstream side
• Recharging the collected run-off
• Relief from:
o Erosion of top fertile soil
o Gulley formation in agriculture fields
Institute of Rural Research and Development (IRRAD)
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14. Small intervention, big impact
Nallah bunds
• Reduce runoff velocity
• Minimize soil erosion
• Increase water percolation
Institute of Rural Research and Development (IRRAD)
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15. Conservation is the key
Converting abandoned wells into recharge structure
Small structure to raise water level
Water diverted to nearby abandoned well
Institute of Rural Research and Development (IRRAD)
15
Slide: 15 of 8

16. Construction by local artisans: Recharge wells
Institute of Rural Research and Development (IRRAD)

17. Patkhori: a replicable RWH system model for schools
• Harvested rainwater based water supply for 325
students & teachers of Patkhori school.
• Water availability improves school attendance
specially for girls.
• Current students strength is 480
The model is being
replicated by:
• Education department
Haryana - 501 schools
• Tribal Department
Chattisgarh – 25 Ashrams
Prefilter
Storage
Tanks
Biosand
Filter
25000 ltr
Filter
Soak Pit
Institute of Rural Research and Development (IRRAD)
Soak Pit
Cost
Rs 2.3 lakhs

18. Patkhori: a replicable RWH system model for schools
Institute of Rural Research and Development (IRRAD)

19. 3-Tier rain water harvesting system
Answer to water scarcity
- Individual, cluster tanks fed by roof water used
for drinking and cooking
- Community tanks fed by roof water and filtered
pond water used for other domestic needs
Institute of Rural Research and Development (IRRAD)

20. Community water tank: Min. wastage, max. gain
Before
Addressing women drudgery
After
Objective:
• Ensuring 24 hr availability
• Equitable distribution
• Minimize wastage
• Avoid contamination
• Resource conservation
(water, energy, time etc.)
Institute of Rural Research and Development (IRRAD)

21. Waste water accumulation
Typical village
streets
Institute of Rural Research and Development (IRRAD)

22. Safe Disposal of Waste Water
Conservation, Safety, environmental hygiene and comfort
Silt Trap
Floating Scum
From Drain
To Soak Pit
Sediments
Before
Institute of Rural Research and Development (IRRAD)
After

23. Disposing waste water naturally
Many villages made completely waste water free by
Soak pits
Mundaka, Untaka, Raipuri,
Shadipur, Jalalpur, Mamlika ….
Soak well
Soak trenches
Conservation, Safety, environmental hygiene and comfort
Institute of Rural Research and Development (IRRAD)

24. Waste water free streets in Mundaka
Before
Photo: Village streets full of waste water
After
Photo: Same street after construction of soak pits
Institute of Rural Research and Development (IRRAD)

25. Creating fresh water pocket in saline aquifer
Converted dry schools into water sustainable
Storage & Recharging
Tank
Pre-filter
Hand Pump
Water storage
Bio-sand
filter
Fresh Water
Saline ground water
TDS at village Khedli Khurd
• Groundwater - 1700 PPM
• RWH pocket: 52-67 PPM
Institute of Rural Research and Development (IRRAD)

26. Bio-sand Filter
Keeping the water borne diseases away
Removes:
•
•
Turbidity, Microbiologic contaminants
Iron and with simple adaptation arsenic
Institute of Rural Research and Development (IRRAD)

27. Reviving Ancient Baoli /step well (Mughal period)
Caring for the heritage
Institute of Rural Research and Development (IRRAD)

28. Community involvement
Institute of Rural Research and Development (IRRAD)

29. Repairing of damaged check dam through local community
Institute of Rural Research and Development (IRRAD)

30. Rejuvenating forest through social fencing
Institute of Rural Research and Development (IRRAD)

31. Outcome
Intervention
Groundwater
replenishment
through check
dams and other
structures
Annual Water 1,36,85,403
harvesting
(kL/year)
Rainwater
Wastewater
harvesting
in recycling
schools
and
other buildings
Total
12,589
1,38,39,846
Enough to
serve
Type of village
141,854
Water
Villages can
Demand(KL/yr/vill.) be served
Rain-fed village: Domestic water demand for 2000
people+animal@70 lpcd
51,100
271
Irrigated village: Irrgn. water demand (incl
mustard, pearl millet & one vegetable crop) 300
acres@ 1120KL/acre + domestic water demand
336,000
36
Institute of Rural Research and Development (IRRAD)

32. Impact
Steady improvements in groundwater levels
Trend of groundwater levels (metres) at Bangali Khola- Kotla
Jan.
mar.
Apl
May
Jun
July
Aug.
Sept
Oct
Nov.
Dec.
12.3
12.6
12.7
12.8
0
2
4
6
8
10
12
14
16
18
20
17.65
16.97
17.74 17.65 17.7
* Many dry wells have water today, salinity also regressed
Institute of Rural Research and Development (IRRAD)
16.8
16.2

33. Impact on water levels
Trend of ground water level in Bhond- Nooru well (2010-12)
Trend of ground water in Kotla -Masjid Kui (2010-12)
Mar/10
Jul/10
Nov/10
Mar/11
Jul/11
Nov/11
Mar/10
Mar/12
Nov/10
Mar/11
Jul/11
Nov/11
Mar/12
0
5
10
15
14.4
20
19.89
15.4
16.2
16.6
15.2
15.5
15.95
Water level in metres (bgl)
0
19.56
5
10
15
14.2
20
25
25.4
30
35
30.8
24.8
29.3
25
Trend of ground water levels in Agon - Abdul well (2010-12)
Mar/10
Jul/10
Nov/10
Mar/11
Jul/11
Nov/11
Mar/12
0
Water level in metres (bgl)
Water level in metres (bgl)
Jul/10
2
4
6
8
8.3
10
8.1
7.6
8.4
7.6
7.95
12
14 13.2
16
13.85
Institute of Rural Research and Development (IRRAD)
8.2
25.2
25.9
24.9
25.6

34. Impact on water quality
2000
1800
1600
1400
1200
1000
800
600
400
200
0
1846
Jun-11
1502
994.7
500
TDS
Desired limit
Jun-12
935
607
362.5 349
200
300
M. Alkalinity
Total
hardness
538
272.3
194
75
250
74.7 50 107
Magnesium
Calcium
Chlorides
200
107
52
Sulphates
186
45108.8
Nitrates
Ground Water quality of Qayyum Hand pump in Dhadola Khurd (2011-2012)
18
17
16
Jun-11
14
12
mg/l
mg/l
Ground Water quality of Qayyum Hand pump in Dhadola Khurd (2011-2012)
Desired limit
Jun-12
10
10
6.93
8
6
7
7.24
7.3
5
5
3.8
4
1.14
2
0.3
0.88
1.29
1
0
Coliform per100 ml
pH
Turbidity
Institute of Rural Research and Development (IRRAD)
Iron
Flouride
1.1

35. Impact on water quality
Ground water quality of Daud Hand pump in Raniyala Patakpur (2011-2012)
November 11
3500
November 12
3110
3000
2640
2500
mg/l
Permissible Limits
2153
2000
1560
1385
1500
1000
500
500
0
1278
452 376.2
200
300
1108
452 376.2
0
901.8
227
0
50 180
241 207.9
75
639.8 522
250
12.9 0 25.7
0
Conductivity Total dissolved M. Alkalinity Total hardness Temporary
solids
hardness
Permanent
hardness
Magnesium
Calcium
Chlorides
Silica
Ground water quality of New water supply Tube well in Dhadoli Kalan (2011-2012)
November 11
1200
mg/l
1000
November 12
1092
992
684 649
500
800
600
331 270.2
200
400
200
Permissible Limits
0
489
400.7
300
331 270.2
0
158 130.5
0
57 5041.2
99.87590.9
250
175 120.4
Magnesium
Calcium
Chlorides
13.3 0 20.4
0
Conductivity Total dissolved M. Alkalinity Total hardness Temporary
solids
hardness
Permanent
hardness
Institute of Rural Research and Development (IRRAD)
Silica

36. Institutional Mechanism
Working together with community to
combat water crisis
Water Management Group Composition
Representation from all sects of village
(religion, cast, economy, street/mohalla, sex etc)
Role
Community involved in need assessment
Active involvement in –
• Need assessment
• Solution design
• Site selection
• Implementation process
• Monitoring
Responsible for operation & maintenance
Community discussing water project blueprint
Institute of Rural Research and Development (IRRAD)

37. Water literacy campaign
Jal Chetna Yatra (Water Literacy Rally)
Water literacy sessions and Slogan/ paintings
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38. Water Literacy ensures technology adoption
“Jal Chetna Yatra”(Water Literacy Campaign)
Water Literacy through street plays
Empowering and motivating the marginalized
Demonstrating technologies
Inclusion & Empowerment: Women-led Water Management
Institute of Rural Research and Development (IRRAD)

39. Simple and user friendly technology
Promoting technology adoption
Technology
• development
• adaption
• demystification
Training students for preparing Bio-sand filter
• dissemination
• promotion
Institute of Rural Research and Development (IRRAD)

40. Building awareness among masses
Community Radio- Alfaz-e-Mewat
Reach villages: Over 183 in Mewat; 10 + in Rajasthan
Programming Hours: 12 hours of daily broadcast
Community Participation: 10000 caller database
Building Awareness: 1st step towards solution
Water focused programs
• Tohfa –e-Kudrat- Jal Jangal Aur kheti (Water, Land &
Agriculture)- 30 minutes daily (repeat everyday)
• Guftgu- Expert Interviews- 30 minutes daily with
repeat Has covered programs on watershed
management, government schemes, water saving
agriculture practices.
• Saaf , Safai Aur Sehet (Health & Hygiene)- 30
minutes daily with repeat everyday- covered programs
on importance of clean drinking water, use of Bio Sand
filters, hand washing, importance of Toilets etc
• Community events with school children on
sanitation practices
Institute of Rural Research and Development (IRRAD)

41. Making the difference
Reduced
women
drudgery
Improved
availability &
quality of
water
More
Lower rain
choice of
dependence
crops
Improved
social
indicators
Increased
farm
productivity
Efficient
irrigation
system
Benefits reached to: >3,00,000 people
over 70 villages
Better quality of life
Institute of Rural Research and Development (IRRAD)

42. Encouraging Recognitions
Recipient of Best Water NGO by UNESCO & Water Digest…….. three
Best Water NGO award 2007-08
Water Harvesting
years in a row
Best Water NGO award 2008-09
for Revival of Rural Water Resources
Distinguished Water NGO 2009-10
for Revival of Rural Water Resources
“Ground Water Augmentation
Award-2009”: Best NGO Northern
Zone- by Ministry of Water
Resources
Shri Salman Khurshid, Union
Minister, Water Resources presenting
the award to Jay Sehgal
Institute of Rural Research and Development (IRRAD)
Jal Star Award
(by Bhaskar Foundation)

43. Contact Details
For more information:
Institute of Rural Research & Development
(An Initiative of S M Sehgal Foundation)
Plot # 34, Sector-44, Gurgaon, Haryana
Phone- 0124-4744118, Fax- 4744123
Mob:9871189564
E mail: s.saiphy@irrad.org
Website: www.irrad.org
Institute of Rural Research and Development (IRRAD)