Page 36 - Tata-Trusts-Annual-Report-2022-23

Building confidence in advanced
water technologies through

Jal Jeevan Mission EMPOWERMENT

Mycherlapalem evolves with smarter
solutions to daily water issues

Mycherlapalem is a small farming village, 6 kilometres from The entire community of Mycherlapalem came together to
Chodavaram in the Vishakhapatnam district of Andhra Pradesh. support each other in finding sustainable solutions to their
Servicing a small population of just 1000 people, an OHSR water-related challenges. Mycherlapalem literally got a face-lift,
(overhead service reservoir) with a capacity of 20KL was the thanks to the intervention.
main source of its drinking and domestic water.

Lack of education and age-old belief systems stood in the way of
replenishing the borewell water with RO water. ‘Mother Ganga
does no harm’ was their staunch belief. They even performed
pujas at the taps and manually chlorinated the water from time
to time. This unsystematic approach to drinking unsafe water can
pose health hazards to the community.

The Andhra Pradesh state government adopted Jal Jeevan
Mission (JJM) in 32 Gram Panchayats across Chodavaram
Mandal, Andhra Pradesh with technical support of Tata Trusts
and implemented by VCF in 47 villages. A bulk water flow meter
was installed in November 2022 which displays the amount of
water pumped in and out and provides daily water consumption
reports in a simple graphical format. The sensor-controlled
device helped to achieve accuracy in chlorine dosage without
the risk of over-chlorination and limiting dependence on human A bulk water flow meter was installed in November 2022 which
intervention. It also controlled water wastage with daily, weekly displays the amount of water pumped in and out and provides
and monthly reports on water consumption. Women from the daily water consumption reports in a simple graphical format.
community were trained on water quality monitoring through
Field Test Kits (FTKs) to evaluate water quality in all 32 villages. The story of Mycherlapalem exemplifies the transformative
Bure Shankararao (50), sarpanch of Mycherlapalem, says, “Before potential of technology in even the most remote settings.
the online chlorination system installation, people used to Through collaborative e orts and innovative solutions, the village
hesitate to drink water from the borewell as they were not sure if has successfully tackled water-related challenges. The easy
the water was safe. They used to bring water from hand pumps adoption of advanced tools like the Bulk Flow Meter and
0.5 to 1 km away, and some of them even purchased RO automated chlorine dosing system underscores the adaptability
drinking water.” of rural communities to modern practices. This journey not only
ensures the villagers' basic needs are met but also safeguards
By training villagers to use these e ective and advanced water their health and well-being, showing that when technology and
management systems, safe water consumption was ensured, and tradition intertwine, remarkable progress follows.
people’s confidence was also boosted. Water quality tests now
bring a smile to people’s faces.

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