Download full report in pdf format - Natural Resources Institute

Box 11: Criteria for Identification of Problem Habitations
A habitation which fulfils the following criteria may be categorised as a Not Covered (NC)/No Safe
Source (NSS) Habitation:
(a) The drinking water source/point does not exist within 1.6 km of the habitations in plains or 100
m elevation in hilly areas. The source/point may either be public or private in nature. However,
habitations drawing drinking water from a private source may be deemed as covered only when the
water is safe, of adequate capacity and is accessible to all.
(b) Habitations that have a water source but are affected with quality problems such as excess
salinity, iron, fluoride, arsenic or other toxic elements or biologically contaminated.
(c) Habitations where the quantum of availability of safe water from any source is not enough to meet
drinking and cooking needs. [Estimated at 40 litres per person per day, including drinking
(3 litres), cooking (5 litres), bathing (15 litres), washing utensils and house (7 litres) and ablution
(10 litres)]
Hence in the case of a quality affected habitation, even if it is fully covered as per the earlier norms it
would be considered as a NSS habitation if it does not provide safe water at least for the purpose of
drinking and cooking.
Habitations which have a safe drinking water source/point (either private or public) within 1.6 km. in
the plains and 100 m in hilly areas but where the capacity of the system ranges between 10 lpcd to 40
lpcd, could be categorised as “Partially Covered (PC)”. These habitations would, however, be considered
as “Safe Source (SS)” habitations, subject to the water quality parameter.
All remaining habitations may be categorised as “Fully Covered (FC)”.
Source: RGNDWM (2000).
Figures 36 and 37 provide information on the most common water point problems encountered
by users in Kalyandurg and Dhone respectively. It can be seen that unacceptable water quality and
non-functional water points were the problems that were most frequently cited in Kalyandurg
and Dhone respectively.
156
74
Figure 36. Types of
domestic water supply
problems,
Kalyandurg Mandal,
October 2001
22
27
Non-functiona l Inadequate supply Poor quality Multiple problems
37
5
20
7
6
Figure 37. Number of
water points with
different types of
problems,
Dhone Mandal,
March 2001
1
Non-functiona l Overcrowdi ng Inadequa te
supply
Unpredicta ble Poor quality Multiple
problems
60