Rotary Aqua stream (Global Grand Project)

Access to safe drinking water is a prerequisite for the economic and social development of a community.  Availability of safe drinking water is a must to every household as unsafe water will drain the budget of the family.  Easy access to safe water will also result to savings in time of family members which will pave way for the accomplishment of other profitable undertakings.  It will also promote good health and the eradication of water-borne diseases.

Global Grant Project Number  :  GG1981816

Title of the Project  :  Rotary Aqua Stream

Focus Area of the Project  :  Water & Sanitation (Humanitarian)

Project location and beneficiaries

Padanna, a coastal area in Methala Village, Kodungallur, Thrissur District, Kerala in South India.  Beneficiaries are more than 1000 poor people living in 250 houses and 150 students studying in a nearby Government Upper Primary School in Kunnamkulam.

Community Assessment

Rotary club of Kodungallur has been supplying safe drinking water to this locality in tanker lorries during peak summer months, when the municipal tap water is available only once in 12 days.  Based on a request put forward by the ward councilor and two others from the area, Rotarians from Rotary Club of Kodungallur went out for a feasibility survey.  The people in the locality comprising of daily laborers, depended mainly on water traders, who sell water in container tankers.  The poor people often can’t afford this and some of them go to the next ward, miles away, to fetch safe water.

Before the second visit, Rotarians talked to the Municipal authorities and confirmed that the main priority of the community there is safe drinking water. The members of the club ascertained the fact that a permanent solution for the issue is to set up a water pumping station.  The Municipal authorities agreed to join hands with Rotary.

Objectives of the Project

The project aims an uninterrupted distribution of safe potable water to cater to the needs of 250 families living in the coastal areas of Padanna, in Methala Village, Kodungallur with the help of a pumping station.  The basic and important needs of these people, such as, drinking, bathing, cooking, washing, cleaning and sanitation will be addressed.  The project will also be helpful to the students of the beneficiary school.

Description of the project

A suitable land has been identified and made available for the project by the Municipality.  Construction of an overhead RCC water tank, bore wells, purchase of electric motor, digging and laying of distribution pipes across 12 kilometers so as to reach every house is the important part of the project.  Rotary club of Kodungallur has done a similar Global Grant project at a different location during 2007-08 and has got the technical expertise required for the implementation of the project.

Sustainability

A society has been formed with all the 250 families as its members.  A well-defined system of Operation and Maintenance will be established for the sustainability of the project under a subcommittee formed from the society.  Adequate training by a reputed NGO on functioning and maintenance of the project, personal hygiene, prevention of wastage and good sanitation will be given to the subcommittee members.  After the commissioning of project it is the responsibility of the subcommittee,  to ensure a trouble- free functioning of the project.  A nominal fee from the beneficiaries will be collected by the subcommittee to meet the running expenses and maintenance of the project.   The subcommittee will function under the guidance of Rotary Club of Kodungallur.

Primary host and International Partner

Rtn. K P Somkumar Rotary Club of Kodungallur           District 3201 (Host)

Rtn. Lana Rouff       Rotary Club of Binghamton           District 7170 (International)