Water security project in North Karnataka

In the drought-prone villages of North Karnataka, securing safe drinking water remains a daily struggle, particularly for women and children. In response, Tata Trusts, through its partner Kalike, launched the Community-Managed Water Security Programme to transform water access and governance.

Water scarcity and poor water quality are significant challenges in North Karnataka, affecting both households and schools. The Tata Trusts’ Community-Managed Water Security Programme aims to enhance water security, improve drinking water quality, and promote sustainable water-management practices.

The initiative, led by Kalike, an associate organisation of the Tata Trusts, focuses on strengthening community participation in water governance, implementing groundwater recharge measures, and optimising water usage. The programme is being implemented in three districts and five blocks in North Karnataka, benefiting 10,000 households and 6,600 students.

Burden of acute water scarcity and contamination

North Karnataka faces acute water scarcity due to erratic rainfall, over-extraction of groundwater, and inefficient water management. Many rural communities rely on contaminated water sources, leading to waterborne diseases. Additionally, the lack of sustainable water governance structures results in unreliable drinking water supply, placing a disproportionate burden on women and adolescent girls to collect water.

The Tata Trusts and Kalike initiated the Community-Managed Water Security Programme to enhance groundwater recharge, improve water quality, and strengthen community-driven water governance.

The main objectives of the programme are to:

• Address water scarcity by implementing groundwater recharge measures and optimising water usage
• Improve drinking water quality by addressing microbiological contamination in collaboration with local governments
• Implement social behaviour change communication (SBCC) interventions to encourage collective ownership of sustainable water management, emphasising women's participation
• Enhance drinking water, sanitation, and hand-wash infrastructure in 55 rural schools, benefiting 6,600 children
• Strengthen school management committees (SMC) for sustainable operation and maintenance (O&M) of infrastructure in 50 schools
• Ensure drinking water security for 10,000 households, reducing drudgery for women and adolescent girls
• Increase groundwater discharge of drinking water sources by 15% through recharge initiatives
• Establish 140 water committees to collect regular water tariffs for sustainable water service delivery
• Share programme learnings with governments to encourage future partnerships and widespread adoption of sustainable water management practices

Coverage of the programme

• Three districts and five blocks in North Karnataka
• 10,000 households and 6,600 students in 55 schools

Key Achievements

• Water Security Plans (WSP) prepared for 60 villages
• 239 site-specific water harvesting structures (check dams, gabions, farm ponds, recharge borewells) developed
• Training provided to 120 water committee members on water security
• 107,153 cubic metres of water storage capacity enhanced through nala deepening, widening, and recharge structures
• 3,884 households benefited from water security interventions so far
• 140 Water Committees formed, collecting regular water tariffs for sustainable water service management
• Training sessions on water management conducted for over 780 individuals
• Pre-monsoon water quality testing completed in 60 villages and 15 habitations, with results displayed in communities
• Baseline survey completed for 20 schools in Koppal Block, with further assessments planned
• Digital wall posters on water conservation displayed in 60 villages
• Wadawatta Tank desilted, transporting 8,945.85 cubic metres of silt to farmland, and 7,250.3 cubic metres removed from Goudgera Tank, increasing water storage capacity by 112,253.43 cubic metres
• 23 borewell recharge units established, enhancing groundwater availability
• 64 farm ponds created, adding 41,445.04 cubic metres of storage capacity
• Planning and implementation of water conservation structures improved through expert-led staff capacity building
• Adaptive planning strategies adopted, ensuring programme flexibility to address climate variability and local needs

Major Partners

• Kalike, an Associate Organisation of the Tata Trusts
• State and local government authorities
• Local water user groups and gram panchayats