Rainwater Harvesting: The Relationship Between Water Supply Contamination and Community Participation in Rural Karnataka, India

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1 University of Massachusetts Amherst Amherst Water Resources Research Center Conferences Water Resources Research Center Rainwater Harvesting: The Relationship Between Water Supply Contamination and Community Participation in Rural Karnataka, India Pooja Singh Kanwar Follow this and additional works at: Kanwar, Pooja Singh, "Rainwater Harvesting: The Relationship Between Water Supply Contamination and Community Participation in Rural Karnataka, India" (2007). Water Resources Research Center Conferences. 29. Retrieved from This is brought to you for free and open access by the Water Resources Research Center at Amherst. It has been accepted for inclusion in Water Resources Research Center Conferences by an authorized administrator of Amherst. For more information, please contact

2 Rainwater Harvesting: The Relationship Between Water Supply Contamination and Community Participation in Rural Karnataka, India Pooja Singh Kanwar M.S. Candidate: Resource Management and Administration Antioch New England University Antioch New England University Sustainable Waters in a Changing World: Research to Practice April 9 th 2007

3 MYRADA MYRADA is a Non Governmental Organization managing rural development programs To foster a process of ongoing change for the rural poor in a way in that can be sustained by them through building and managing appropriate and innovative local institutions rooted in values of justice, equity and mutual support.

5 Site Description

6 Gandathur 6 km from Kerala border hectares 900 millimeters rainfall/year 154 households 1011 total population

7 Role of MYRADA Gandathur Rainwater Harvesting (RWH) pilot study began in 2003 Sanitation Improvement Cleaner water from RWH system Resource Improvement Decrease in firewood (to boil water) Softer water hardness from RWH system Decrease in soap consumption Increase in overall sanitation from increase in daily baths, cleaning chores, etc. Increase in available water for potable and non-potable use Table 1 (Shankar 2006)

8 Role of MYRADA Remaining households expressed interest Funding assistance from Singapore International Foundation, CART, Zilla Panchayat 147 out of village total 154 households utilizing RWH technology (8/1/06) Ultimate goal to have all households dependent on RWH systems (Shankar 2006)

9 History Ancient technology Well endowed with precipitation Uneven rainfall pattern Large movement of implementing RWH structures in rural areas in effort to be as resourceful as possible (Agarwal 2003)

10 Catchment Surface

11 Gutter System

12 Filter Storage Tank

13 Present Issues Level of household participation in respect to the operations and maintenance (O & M) procedures with each structure Typhoid and fecal coliform threat in between wet and dry season Siltation as a result of infrequent cleaning Speculated that proper O & M practices with RWH could alleviate much, if not all, of water stresses in drought prone areas (Thomas 1998; Gould & Nissen-Peterson 1999; Agarwal 2003; Narain 2003; Ravi 2006; Ravi 2006; Agarwal et al. March 2001; Khoday 1996)

14 Study Hypothesis: To investigate if the *level of water quality* is correlated with the *level of participation* with respect to domestic potable water use from household RWH systems

15 Specific Aims of the Study 1)Examine the quality of rainwater captured through rooftop collection systems in rural villages of Karnataka, India 2)Compare these findings with the degree of community participation involved with the harvesting technology 3)To alleviate water supply and water quality stresses by analyzing a scientifically quantitative and socially qualitative study regarding roof-top collected water for domestic potable use (Simmons, 2000)

16 Previous Investigations 2000 Study conducted by Greg Simmons in Auckland, New Zealand Present research utilizes Simmons' methodology and objectives Gandathur prime study site to replicate Auckland study, and apply findings to rural Karnataka

17 Study Design 1) Conduct a qualitative survey to assess the level of community involvement with operations and maintenance of collection surfaces. 2) Sample captured water from 125 rainwater harvesting structures in rural Karnataka for microbial and chemical contaminants. 3) Determine if correlations exist between level of community involvement and cleaner potable water

18 Methodology 125 households were examined in a quantitative and qualitative study The contaminant level of harvested rainwater was analyzed in relation to the degree of community participation with each catchment system Two part project involving: 1) Surveying 2) Sampling

19 Surveying Process

20 Survey Questions Series of 11 questions Addressed frequency, duration, and type of practices in place Questions revolved around cleaning habits 1) Catchment Surface 2) Gutter System 3) Filter system 4) Storage Tank

21 Water Sampling Process

22 Three teams of two Each team assigned a particular region of the village

23 Bacteria Sampling and Analysis 25 ml vial containing a strip that detects hydrogen sulfate (H 2 S) which is associated with the presence of coliform bacteria in water Test is validated as a simple method to sample water from remote water supplies (Water Health Laboratories)

24 Incubation Period

25 Physicochemical Sampling Supplementary data for comparative analysis 3 water sources tested: Rainwater, bore well and water from the Kabini River 17 parameters were examined, including: -ph-turbidity-color-conductivity- -total dissolved solids-hardness hardness-calcium- magnesium-alkalinity alkalinity-chloride-fluoride- nitrate-iron iron-sulphate

26 Preliminary Results 37/125 households revealed E. coli presence in their harvested water 30% of total RWH systems failed to provide safe, potable water.

27 Future Direction Data Analysis SPSS: : Statistical analysis for the social sciences Medians and ranges will describe normal and non-normal normal distributions Examine regressions and correlations amongst survey results and microbial water samples

28 Future Direction Work with MYRADA and Gandathur community to alleviate further water quality stresses resulting from O & M In case of null findings, continue investigations to determine cause of contamination, and apply supplementary physicochemical parameter results

29 Acknowledgments Michael Simpson Shiva Shankar Mr. Madhyavaya MYRADA Gandathur UMass My Family

30 Questions or Comments? Pooja Kanwar

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