| Water and Environmental Sanitation
e-Newsletter Volume: 13 Month: August 2008
News from Secretariat | News from Members | Press Releases | Publications | Events | Vacancies
Citizens Corner
WES-Net website has a new section called "Citizens Corner" to enable the general public and professionals to raise the issues on the ground and also to express their views and suggestions on the aspects related to policy and programming in the water and sanitation section. Critical views and constructive suggestions related to water and sanitation aspects can be expressed at this section which will be forwarded to the concerned departments and agencies for taking necessary steps in this regard. Every month, some of the best contributions received will be awarded a gift as a token of appreciation. For more information, kindly visit this section at http://wesnetindia.org/blog/.
South Asia Source News
WES-Net has submitted a proposal to manage the South Asia Source News in collaboration with IRC, Netherlands. On approval of the proposal, WES-Net will be managing the source news in partnership with other agencies located in the region as well as its members.
INDG Launch
India water Portal and WES-Net was invited by C-DAC for exhibiting the initiatives at the launch the India Development Gateway on the 4th July 2008 by the Hon'ble President of India. Areas of collaboration with INDG will be explored to strengthen the water and sanitation aspects at the portal.
Media Awards
WES-Net submitted a concept note on "Sanitation Media Awards" for all forms of the media to Department of Drinking Water Supply, Govt. of India which can be conducted at every state to provide much needed impetus to the sanitation programme across the country during the IYS. The note was prepared based on the experience of organising the national level "Clean India Photo Contest" for journalists by WES-Net recently.
Business Plan and Core Group Meeting
The business plan for 3 years has been prepared by the WES-Net secretariat and circulated to the core group members. This will be discussed at the proposed core group to be held on the 29th August 2008 at New Delhi.
Meetings
- A meeting with Mr.René van Lieshout, IRC was held to discuss potential areas of partnership. He requested that a paper be presented on the advisory service "Ask a Question" being managed jointly by India Water Portal and WES-Net at the proposed knowledge management workshop to be held in the Netherlands.
- A meeting with Mr.Jeremy Colin, Global Sanitation Fund, WSSCC was held to discuss the modalities of the Global Sanitation Fund operations in India. Based on several such consultations, the final operational model of the fund would be designed by WSSCC along with the India WASH members.
Staff Exit
S. Ramesh Sakthivel who was working as the National Coordinator will be leaving WES-Net from the 12th August 2008. The position will be filled up shortly after the recruitment process is completed.
News from Members
WASH Institute - A Capacity Building Initiative
[From: Arumugam Kalimuthu, Plan India]
In order to address gaps of trained human resource availability in the water and sanitation sector, Plan India along with WaterAid, Winrock International (India), WEDC, SIWI, IRC and SEI is taking a lead role in developing a capacity building initiative under the framework of "WASH Institute". The institute would render both non-formal and formal courses on "Water and Environmental Sanitation" through partnership with NGOs/INGOs, Government training institutes and academic institutions. WASH Institute aims to cater to the capacity building needs in India and the neighbouring countries in the region. Already, the institute has opened a unit in South India and has started few training courses.
Read More: [http://tinyurl.com/6q4zvh]
Human Urine Harvesting and Utilization as Organic Fertilizer
[From: Prakash Kumar, UNICEF-SEI, New Delhi]
Ecological sanitation regards human excreta as a resource to be recycled, rather than as a waste to be disposed off. The notion of excreta being merely waste with no useful purpose is a modern misconception, which is at the root of environmental pollution resulting from conventional approaches of sanitation. There is no waste in nature, and all the products of living things are used as raw materials by others. Recycling sanitized human urine and faeces by returning them to the soil serves to restore the natural cycle of life building materials that has been disrupted by current sanitation practices. Thus, by separating human urine at source, the amounts of nutrients recycled to arable land can be significantly increased while at the same time the nutrient load of wastewater can be significantly decreased. Based on the current fertilizer prices, the equivalent value of NPK present in human urine works out approximately to Rs.150 per person per year, and nutrient harvesting from human waste is going to become highly profitable and viable as the commercial fertilizer production becomes costlier in the future.
Read More: [http://tinyurl.com/5peaqm]
The Challenges of Vermi-Composting
[From: Asit Nema, Foundation for Greentech Environmental Systems, New Delhi]
Fundamentally ‘vermi-composting’ represents one of the most ‘Earth Friendly’ ‘Ecological Sanitation’ solutions and no wonder many agencies and individuals are enamoured with the docile earthworms with regard to their capacity to convert kitchen waste (as against mixed municipal solid waste) into useful compost. However, in order to deliver such a high quality product, the earthworms need a great deal of care and protection. A number of well intentioned initiatives at the level of individuals, communities and even municipalities have been discontinued due to a number of external risk factors. The risks involved include sensitivity of worms to temperature, problem of high moisture content during rains when uncovered sheds are used, area required for pre-digesting the waste materials, protecting the worms from predators and higher cost of exotic earthworms. Also, most operators prefer to sell earthworms than to prepare composts due to higher profits involved.
Read More: [ http://tinyurl.com/65or62]
Assessment of Water and Sanitation Facilities in a Resettlement Colony
[From: Sakshi Saini, New Delhi]
This case study of a student’s dissertation at Madanpur Khadar (a resettlement colony situated in the outskirts of Delhi) points out the gross absence of basic services such as drinking water and sanitation to alarming levels. Although, after a great struggle the resettlement of the marginalized communities evicted from the city slums occurs, however the conditions of the resettlement areas are among the worst in the city, as many of these colonies lack basic water and sanitation infrastructure, and are further excluded from employment opportunities, education and medical facilities. The study highlights the irregularity and contamination of the water supplied, smaller size of plots that prohibits construction of toilets, inadequate seats in the community toilets, inability to pay for the use of public toilets, poor sanitation conditions due to no garbage collection process, etc.,
Read More: [http://tinyurl.com/6m6boy]
Buying an Apartment? Read this !!!
[From:Arghyam and India Water Portal]
India Water Portal has come up with some questions that can be asked to the builders when you are buying an apartment. The more educated you are regarding the way the apartment is handling water, the better decision you are likely to make and one that will benefit you immensely in the long term. The builder does not have a natural incentive to think about wise water management as most of us don’t consider this seriously when buying an apartment. If we demand better water management from the builders, they will automatically respond. You can explore various aspects such as water source and its quality, ground water availability, rainwater harvesting, wastewater treatment, landscaping, incentives for water conservation, water saving devices and waste management to benefit from these features as well as to live in peace of mind.
Read More: [ http://tinyurl.com/6g7d9j ]
Eco-restoration of Ponds, Lakes and Rivers
[From: Dr Uday S. Bhawalkar & Sarita U. Bhawalkar, BERI, Pune]
Pollution of ponds, lakes and rivers is a complex issue covering groundwater pollution, rain pollution, soil pollution and mismanagement of organic resources by the society (an act due to mind pollution). Some industrial discharges may also load toxic organics and inorganics (heavy metals, nitrates, phosphates, sodium, chlorides, etc.). Eco-restoration of water bodies, thus, needs a holistic root-cause approach. This paper provides both the theory and practice of cleaning diverse point and nonpoint sources of pollution that add up to spoil the quality of ponds and lakes using bio-sanitizer. Actual case studies are also discussed, describing the field scale projects executed over the past 20 years.
Read More: [ http://tinyurl.com/5ln7lp]
Understanding Hygiene Behaviour and Willingness to Pay using QIS
[From: Mohita Paliwal, TERI and Shipra Saxena, WaterAid India]
Water Aid India is supporting community led integrated water, sanitation and hygiene promotion programme in four slums of Delhi as a pilot initiative. As part of this initiative a baseline survey was carried out in December 2007 to understand the levels of access and usage of water and sanitation services and hygiene behaviour across all sections of community. The survey used interviews as tools for data collection and to overcome the gaps in information on qualitative aspects in June 2008 a participatory assessment was carried out with active involvements of the community to understand the three critical personal hygiene behaviour, on hand washing, safe disposal of feaces, and safe handling of water at home. Participatory tools were developed from experiences of the past and Qualitative Information Systems developed by IRC who had trained the team of Water Aid staff on its application.
Read More: [ http://tinyurl.com/5r7jln]
Zero Discharge Toilets
[Date: 29/07/08 Source: UNICEF]
A lecture on “Zero Discharge Toilets” was delivered by Professor Dr.Vinod Tare of IIT Kanpur on the 24th June 2008 at UNICEF, New Delhi. Based on this concept, which attempts to recycle the wastewater for flushing and the solids obtained for composting, two pilot initiatives have been taken up in Railway coaches as well in a community toilet with the support of Technology Mission for Railway Safety and UNICEF respectively. Water used for flushing is reclaimed using a liquid separator and filtered before it is sent back to the flush tank for reuse as flush water. The solid matter obtained is used for composting and while the liquid portion of the wastewater is finally evaporated using solar energy.
For more details, please contact Dr.Vinod Tare at vinod@iitk.ernet.in.
Launch of India Development Gateway
[Date: 07/07/08 Source: INDG] The Department for Information Technology has launched a multilingual development gateway called “India Development Gateway” on the 4th July, 2008. India Development Gateway (InDG) is an initiative that seeks to build knowledge connectivity for rural development. InDG is a country led initiative of the Department of Information Technology, Government of India that is being executed by Centre for Development of Advanced Computing (C-DAC). The objective of InDG is to address the livelihood concerns of the rural communities through provision of responsive and credible information, products and services in local languages. InDG catalyzes the use of the Information and Communications Technology (ICT) for collaboration, knowledge sharing and knowledge dissemination among development stakeholders representing the Government, Civil Society Organisations, Academics, Research Institutions, Private sector and most importantly, the people at large.
For more, visit http://www.indg.in/
The WaterLoo Challenge 2009
[Date: 29/07/08 Source: Vikram Rajola, LIFE, Singapore]
The Lien Institute For the Environment (LIFE), Singapore aims to promote innovative and cost-effective solutions to post-disaster water and sanitation problems. In order to address this urgent need, it has instituted the WaterLoo Challenge on the theme of “Emergency Water Supply & Sanitation Provision”. LIFE invites proposals relating to improving water supply and sanitation in the aftermath of a disaster. Proposed solutions should be relevant to rural and coastal areas emphasizing point-of-use or onsite facilities, using novel technologies, systems or practices for solving the problem. The Challenge carries cash awards and other incentives up to US Dollar 50,000; with the first prize being an amount of US$ 15,000.
For more information about the Challenge, please visit: http://www3.ntu.edu.sg/CEE/life/waterloochallenge2009.html
Towards water neutrality : reducing and offsetting the impacts of water footprint
[Source: http://waterfootprint.org]
This report by A.Y.Hoekstra discusses water footprints and the water-neutral concept. Despite the possible pitfalls and yet unanswered questions, it seems that the water-neutral concept offers a useful tool to bring stakeholders in water management together in order to discuss water reduction targets and mechanisms for the compensation of environmental and social impacts of residual water footprints. However, the concept can only become really effective in the actual contribution to wise management of global water resources when clear definitions and guidelines will be developed.
Download: http://www.waterfootprint.org/Reports/Report28-WaterNeutral.pdf
A community guide to environmental health - Hesperian Foundation
[ Source: GTZ Ecosan Newsletter]
This highly illustrated guide by Jeff Conant and Pam Fadem helps health promoters, development workers, environmental activists, and community leaders take charge of their environmental health. In small villages and large cities it can provide the tools, knowledge, and inspiration to begin transforming the crisis in environmental health. The book is available with or without a CD - or as download.
Download: http://www.hesperian.org/publications_download.php
Interesting ecosan related reports are on-line at WRC in RSA [Source: WRC, South Africa]
An interesting and growing collection of ecosan related reports is available at the website of the WRC (Water Research Commission) of the RSA (Republic of South Africa). On of the focuses is the documentation of experiences with and research on large ecosan project - e.g. in Durban with currently more than 60 000 UDDTs (Urine Diversion Dehydration Toilets).
Download: http://www.wrc.org.za/publications_reports2.htm
Whitman Direct Actions Water Book available online!
[Source: India Water Portal]
Whitman Direct Action (WDA) is excited to announce the web release of the most tangible outcome of the Sadhana Clean Water Project: The Water Book. WDA is a non-profit, student-run, and open-source organization from Whitman College dedicated to helping marginalized people by promoting economically and environmentally sustainable community development. For the last year, WDA’s team has been working on the Sadhana Clean Water Project, a multi-faceted approach to helping solve India’s water crisis. The Water Book is a collection of case studies, reports, and stories from a diverse array of people and organizations working to address the socio-political and technological aspects of this issue.
Download: http://www.whitmandirectaction.org/cleanwater/book/
Drinking Water Quality Monitoring and Management Training
[Source: Development Alternatives, New Delhi]
This programme conducted by Development Alternatives from 27-29th August 2008 is designed for Development Professionals from NGOs, academic institutions, CSR Professionals, officers from Central and State governments, Public Health engineering and health department functionaries, technocrats, Social scientists, educationists, teachers and international development organizations who are working on water quality monitoring and management aspects and related projects and are keen to upgrade their knowledge.
For more, visit http://www.responsenet.org/show.detail.asp?id=12152
International Convention on Water Resources Development and Management
[Source: BITS, Pilani]
The Civil Engineering Group of Birla Institute of Technology and Science (BITS), Pilani is organising an “International Convention on Water Resources Development and Management” from the 23rd-26th 2008. The present convention is aimed at discussing a wide variety of topics related to water resources development and management. Participants in this convention will include engineers, scientists and planners, academicians, government and non-government organizations from all over the world.
More details: http://discovery.bits-pilani.ac.in/water_conference/conference%20main.htm
The 2nd International WASH Practitioners' Marketplace and Fair
[Source: Streams]
The 2nd International WASH Practitioners' Marketplace and Fair organized by STREAMS and NGO Forum will be held from 11th – 13th November in Bangladesh. The forum aims to bring together a number of successful initiatives by resource centres, civil society, government and academe and other private organizations at the global, regional and national levels, to facilitate the sharing of professional experiences, cutting edge technologies and approaches in a more systematic way to further enhance sanitation, hygiene and water, programmes. The deadline for abstract submissions has been extended to 15th August. http://www.streams.net/index.php?taskId=1128
Vacancies
- Position: Multiple Vacancies – ADB:Property Tax Reform Project
Organization: Asansol Durgapur Development Authority (ADDA)
Location: Asansol Urban Agglomeration
Closing Date for Applications: As soon as possible
Job Details:http://tinyurl.com/5rhrfv
Contact:M. Bhattacharjee (mbhattacharjee@ipeglobal.com)
Source: http://www.infrastructureindia.com
- Position: Programme Officer
Organization: Communication and Capacity Development Unit, State Water and Sanitation Mission, Rajasthan
Location: Regional Support Units of CCDU
Closing Date for Applications: August 14, 2008
Job Details:http://tinyurl.com/5rhrfv
Source: DevNet
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