Kalapani is a small village in Badnapur Gram Panchayat. It houses 84 households with more than 95% population of the tribal community. The villagers mostly depend upon daily wages of labour work for livelihood. The village had an open well as the only source of water for the entire population. During summer, villagers had to travel long distances to fetch water. Even the Zilha Primary School and Anganwadi Center lacked any water facility.
Mrs. Usha Ratan Belsare, a resident of Kalapani village, says, “We used to bring water from distant sources and it took most of a day. Being women it is our responsibility to take care of the water demands of the family. Even pregnant ladies have to go and bring water over their head for cooking, bathing, drinking, and other household activities.”
In November 2017, Water For People India with Colgate Palmolive (India) Limited decided to intervene. The team planned for the revival of the water supply scheme with active participation of the villagers. A recently constructed source in the village was tested for sustainability and water quality. Subsequently, a pipeline was laid, pumping machinery was provided in the open well, and the abandoned storage reservoir was renovated with internal waterproofing. District administration supported by providing electricity at the open well and the villagers contributed through excavation for laying the pipeline.
Today, the families are grateful to have safe drinking water in their homes. All the 84 households in the Kalapani village have been provided with individual tap connections and stand posts. There is a WATSAN Committee of 10 village members which looks after the operation and maintenance of the water supply system and every family contributes around Rs. 50 per month.
Mr. Satish Chimote, Sarpanch of Badnapur gram panchayat, says, “Kalapani villagers are the luckiest to get the scheme done. Due to their sheer determination and hard work, they realize the water severity issues and actively contributed to the project and now they have solved their decades-old water problem”.
