Contagious Visit. A learning visit report from the community initiation on WASH

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1 Contagious Visit A learning visit report from the community initiation on WASH

The members were exposed to learn from the best practises in the field of WASH and observe and experience strength of community participation.

2 1 Jal Sanjal organised a four-day study tour to its members as a part of the strengthening the network and capacity building. The main objective of the visit is to observe the development in WASH sector of different places in Nepal. The members were exposed to learn from the best practises in the field of WASH and observe and experience strength of community participation. We had heard a lot about urine application and success stories of ECOSAN toilet in Dharechowk, we intended to see the benefits gained by the users and how the users are adapting to the technology so far, said Anil Sthapit, steering committee member of Jal Sanjal. The visit has been designed to observe and experience even better technologies and gain acquaintance with more inspiring information to disseminate. This learning note has been brought to you to share about the learning of the members and cross-pollinate among the larger community. The 15 members of Jal Sanjal visited ECOSAN Resource Center at Darechowk, Amarapuri Community Water Supply System and Kawasoti Drinking Water System during May 2013.

Cross Pollination boosts learning Anil Sthapit, Director, GUTHI I was determined to know about the situation of community participation and its impact upon management of water supply system and learn

Being a part of a national network JAL SANJAL - an umbrella organisation of CSOs in WASH, I expect to gain knowledge on how people s participation beings desired overall community development.

3 Cross Pollination boosts learning Anil Sthapit, Director, GUTHI I was determined to know about the situation of community participation and its impact upon management of water supply system and learn the best practise from them. Along that I want to observe the progress made by community on their own effort and see the changes they have brought. Being a part of a national network JAL SANJAL - an umbrella organisation of CSOs in WASH, I expect to gain knowledge on how people s participation beings desired overall community development. Most importantly I hope to build strong network within the community and organising team, so that we can disseminate best practises all over the country and analyse our gaps and strategize the ways to overcome them in the days to come. Dedication bears the fruit Parbati Tiwari, Chairperson, HIMAWANTI, Nawalparasi My interest to experience about urine application and success stories of ECOSAN toilet in Dharechowk has been achieved. I intended to see the benefits gained by the users and how the users are adapting to the technology so far. Continuous dedication and interest in particular field will definitely bear fruit at the end. I am impressed to see Amarapuri drinking water scheme started from a basic water distribution initiative has been developed into a robust system where they have been able to distribute safe drinking water to all. However, Female participation has just been a formality that is fulfilling the 33% seat reservation in the users committee and I found it similar in the case of the water supply schemes I visited. The need at present is women participation in decision-making body but it s lacking. However due to water supply scheme life of women have become comparatively easier as they do not have to go far distance for collection of water and are being able to consume safe drinking water. This directly or indirectly help in improvement of health and living standard of family as a whole. I am planning to implement the learning that from Amarapuri to implement in the organisations where I am involved. I will start from sharing of the knowledge and motivate the users to work for the similar system in their respective communities. 2

Inspired from the practices Prakash Bikram Shah, President, Media Academy Nepal, Dhangadi Being 7 years in WASH related activities I have observed changes in materials being used in sanitation.

At Dharechwok, ECOSAN toilet and urine application in farming caught my attention. I noticed changing faces of the place due to introduction of ECOSAN toilet and urine application.

4 Inspired from the practices Prakash Bikram Shah, President, Media Academy Nepal, Dhangadi Being 7 years in WASH related activities I have observed changes in materials being used in sanitation. People have started using soap instead of mud, clay and ash to wash their hands. Also I have seen improvement in awareness of WASH. At Dharechwok, ECOSAN toilet and urine application in farming caught my attention. I noticed changing faces of the place due to introduction of ECOSAN toilet and urine application. People are happy with higher yield and hygienic community. Also I learnt that one man could bring a change in the society. I strongly realized that community participation is very important for the sustainability of any project. If the community is committed they are capable of sustaining and attracting government and other agencies to work with them for the development. From the point of water distribution system, the filtration system (roughening filter and slow sand filter) in such a large scale at Amarapuri is new to me as I had not observed such a large-scale filtration system in Far- Western Development Region. But above all the management of such huge resource and service to people is very impressive. Being a media person I will promote it and disseminate the information I gathered via media (both in Television and Newspaper). The technology seen in Dharechowk though is not new; but the way it is being practised is terrific. It is promoting sustainability in a way or the other. And urine application in farming is a lesson to be learnt by all the farmers who are waiting for chemical fertilizer for their fields. Through the media I will also try to motivate people and the officials in the Far-Western Development Region to adapt drinking water supply system similar to Amarapuri VDC and provide water to larger community. But since key is community participation, I will focus my articles on community participation to motivate larger mass. 3

Appropriate System to Adapt and Promote Tuk Raj Sharma, President, Rural Awareness Forum (RAF) With time and availability new technologies have been introduced at different places of the country.

In case of Amarapuri, the water supply system is very efficient, and is able to provide water to people in the VDC, which in itself is a great achievement.

5 Appropriate System to Adapt and Promote Tuk Raj Sharma, President, Rural Awareness Forum (RAF) With time and availability new technologies have been introduced at different places of the country. Since I am also responsible for some projects related to water supply in Rukum and Baglung I gained some insights of the water supply management system during this learning visit. In case of Amarapuri, the water supply system is very efficient, and is able to provide water to people in the VDC, which in itself is a great achievement. Moreover community participation is the key for the achievements so far. ECOSAN toilet is a very effective tool for ensuring sanitation in hilly regions and water scarce regions of Nepal. Since the system gives option of both dry and water using toilets it s applicable in areas with different characteristics. Similarly, urine application is quite effective in replacing use of chemical fertilizers in the country. Though the scientific research has not supported the practise so far, indigenous knowledge and experience of people can not be underestimated. From Amarapuri visit I concluded community participation is essential for the sustainability of any kind of system and projects. The system installed there for water purification and distribution is quite complex but people have successfully managed to continue the system with proper management. Personally, I feel there are high chances of implement ability of ECOSAN toilet and urine applications in Baglung and Rukum as both are agriculture based and have low coverage of sanitation. If the resources such as pan and other associated materials are made available, implementation is possible. I have few suggestion on the infrastructure of the Amarapuri water supply schemes; the intake is weak, people have not prepared a proper intake as a result it could be washed away by flood during heavy rain. Also the sedimentation tank should be covered to avoid the risk of contact contamination. 4

Sustainability comes with the ownership Rajendra Aryal, President, Federation of Drinking Water and Sanitation User Nepal (FEDWASUN)) My expectation to get the real life experience with the members

6 Sustainability comes with the ownership Rajendra Aryal, President, Federation of Drinking Water and Sanitation User Nepal (FEDWASUN)) My expectation to get the real life experience with the members best practises on WASH has taken place with the facilitation of Freshwater Action Network (FAN) Nepal. I had visited Amarapuri earlier as well. Before people used to fetch water from the very river from where the water is supplied today. But the significant distinction is the quality and the management practise. At first people there started a small water supply system enough for their community only but now with the technical and financial support of Finland government and local government authorities and active participation of community they have been able to develop a safe water supply system enough for the whole VDC. Also we observed that people have believed Community Has to Work on Its Own for Its Development and Always Expecting from Others Won t Help for Sustainable Development of the Community. They have been interlinking water supply management practise with their livelihood and overall development of community. We observed the development of road networks and their collaboration with community forest user groups and local government authorities for planned development activities. As a result directly or indirectly their living standard has been uplifted. Continuous dedication and community participation are the keys to success and sustainability. Previously government used to establish such water supply system via contractors, community people never felt the ownership or they felt the need of its management. But now since the responsibility of the management and monitoring lies with the people, they have ownership of the system and it s very sustainable. I observed that women s participation in decision-making process has been neglected due to socio-economic condition and social barriers. But the situation is improving. This visit provided me an opportunity to network and enhance my confidence level through exposure. I shall recommend Dharechowk for exposure field visits to other members of associated organisation. Promotion of ECOSAN toilets and Urine application in Dharechwok is an exemplary and praise worthy work. They have been experimenting with the technologies and developing better technologies of ECOSAN and gaining proper exposure and recognition. I look forward to any opportunity to promote these good practices to the international arena through the network of Freshwater Action Network (FAN). 5

Sustainable farming Sabitra Wagle, FEDWASUN Dhankuta Chapter I learnt the methods, tools and ideas that can easily be replicated in our daily life.

involvement of community in collaboration with different stakeholders of the society. Separating faeces and urine helps to recover fertilizer from the human excreta.

As a farmer I have experienced difficulties in getting chemical fertilizer but now I came to know an option to replace the chemical fertilizer.

7 Sustainable farming Sabitra Wagle, FEDWASUN Dhankuta Chapter I learnt the methods, tools and ideas that can easily be replicated in our daily life. Visit to Amarapuri village and meeting with Kawasoti Drinking Water and Sanitation Users Group taught me that the community participation is the key to the changes that can be brought by active involvement of community in collaboration with different stakeholders of the society. Separating faeces and urine helps to recover fertilizer from the human excreta. Moreover urine application seems to be safe and highly productive. As a farmer I have experienced difficulties in getting chemical fertilizer but now I came to know an option to replace the chemical fertilizer. Urine application in agriculture is a key element to replace the chemical fertilizer especially urea and it will promote sustainable farming. I am planning to start use of ECOSAN toilet and urine collection on my own to demonstrate other people will follow. Also I am planning to promote urine collection in Dhankuta during public events using Jar and funnel. Besides strengthening the community to ensure access to safe drinking water is my priority. We have similar system in Dhankuta but we are supplied turbid water as the management says it is unable to bear financial cost of treatment. I have seen here if the management is capable treatment is possible, but all consumer must be united and feel the ownership and I will convey the same in my area. Water safety matters Laxmikant Sharma, Chairperson, Citizen Action Forum, Bharatpur From the users perspective the water supply scheme at Amarapuri stands at its best. However, the intake from where water is collected is not proper. The users committe has constructed the intake using natural gradient for collection of water with temporary damming with small stones, which are vulnerable to flood. Also sedimentation tank is uncovered possessing high chances of contamination as it is near to road. I liked the filtration part compared to remaining part of supply scheme. I learnt how active community participation could ensure the water being provided is safe. People are getting good quality water that is the best part. So far the scheme demonstrated good management practise and gained trust and support from the different sectors that has strengthened the sustainability of the effort. 6

ECOSAN Resource Centre at Darechowk ECOSAN Resource Centre demonstrates the application of urine and ECOSAN toilet technologies established in 2011. It has some ambitious projects for the future.

8 ECOSAN Resource Centre at Darechowk ECOSAN Resource Centre demonstrates the application of urine and ECOSAN toilet technologies established in It has some ambitious projects for the future. Besides completion of its own under construction building, the visionaries of this resource centre are planning to develop it as integrated resource centre providing complete information and demonstration of WASH related activities. I am planning to develop this ECOSAN resource centre as a Learning Centre for students and general people. I have also a plan to incorporate Rainwater Harvesting System in the ECOSAN resource centre building. We are already training women on reuse of waste to produce decorative item. This will be a multidimensional learning centre if everything goes according to plan said Shreerendra Prakash Pokharel, president of THE SEWA Nepal in Dharechowk. Adding to the list of plans Shreerendra shared that he is also planning to carry out ECOSAN and urine application training packages to the students and general people in collaboration with different organisations working on WASH. Afforestation along the slopes of Dharechwok hill and utilization of wastewater from the kitchen in the farming are few other plans. Research on several types of ECOSAN toilet pan is also taking place and this is in his priority list. He emphasized on Green School Strategy - a milestone for the promotion of ECOSAN toilet to contribute to the environment management in Dharechowk. The strategy appreciates the role of school students and the community to sustainability of ECOSAN and urine application and overall environmental management of Dharechowk, he clarified. Amarapuri Water Supply Scheme The Government of Nepal in Amarapuri Village, Nawalparasi District, constructed Amarapuri Water Supply Scheme in At that time people in the village were bound to drink the water supplied directly to the people without any treatment. However in 1999 the water scheme was handed over to community. Afterwards with the collaborative effort from users group, RWSST project of FINIDA and District Development Committee the water supply scheme has developed infrastructure for water purification and distribution and supply has been improved. Finland grant and the local government invested 60% of the investment for the project and 40% of the investment was done by the users themselves. The scheme has expanded its service and infrastructure. In near future the water supply scheme will have additional reservoir with capacity 4 hundred thousand litres with the support of District Water Supply Division of Nawalparasi. The users committee is conscious about the sustainability of the water source along the expansion of its service to the unreached areas in the village. Every year the scheme conducts training and knowledge sharing programme for 100 households of the VDC where it has 1631 households registered. As a result people are conscious about quality of drinking water and committed in preserving the water resource. Jal Sanjal Tahchal, P.O.Box No.; 10546, Kathmandu, Nepal Phone No.: , Fax No.: lajana@lumanti.org.np

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Research Grant Application Form Team name: Contact email: Team members: Field of study: Bachelor/Master Advisor name/signature Affiliation Telephone Email: RAIN WATER HARVESTING czar.coolkc@gmail.com RAM