ASK Foundation’s dedicated support has restored access to safe drinking water and sanitation in tribal hamlets affected by the 2024 floods. With technical expertise from Akhil Raju, the civil engineer form CYDA, successfully installed sustainable water filtration systems. ImpactLens writes how this brought dignity, health, and hope to thousands in Wayanad, proving that united efforts can create lasting change.
Wayanad’s struggle for clean water
In the wake of the July 2024 floods and landslides, Wayanad, a picturesque yet vulnerable district in Kerala, was left devastated. While government relief efforts prioritized landslide victims, thousands of flood-affected families in remote tribal hamlets remained in dire need. The most pressing concern was the severe water crisis—contaminated water sources led to the outbreak of diseases, exacerbating the suffering of an already marginalized population.
The “Rebuilding and Restoring Wayanad: Enhancing Safe Water Access and Sanitation through Community Initiatives” project emerged as a beacon of hope. This initiative sought to address the fundamental need for clean drinking water and proper sanitation, ensuring that the most vulnerable communities could reclaim their dignity and well-being.
The Challenges: Unsafe Water and Community Hardships
CYDA faced multiple challenges while initiating interventions across Poothadi, Noolpuzha, and Nenmeni panchayats. The terrain was difficult to navigate, with many tribal hamlets located in remote, forested regions. The key challenges included:
- Severe Contamination of Water Sources: Many wells and groundwater sources were contaminated by floodwaters, increasing the risk of cholera, dysentery, and other waterborne diseases.
- Lack of Awareness and Infrastructure: Many communities lacked access to proper filtration systems or knowledge of safe water practices.
- Geographical Isolation: Some tribal hamlets were difficult to reach, delaying the installation of water filtration systems and awareness programs.
- Limited Community Participation Initially: With a history of neglect from mainstream development projects, some communities were skeptical of external interventions.
- Electricity Usage Resistance: Convincing tribal communities to use electricity for the filters was difficult, as connections were taken from individual houses, increasing their electricity bills. While some households agreed to share the cost, others were reluctant.
- Unsafe Water Sources: 90% of wells had unsafe drinking water due to flooding and their proximity to rice fields, leading to muddy groundwater.
- Limited Water Supply: Many colonies had Jal Jeevan Mission pipeline connections, but water supply was irregular, sometimes available only once a week.
- Lack of Awareness: Some residents were unfamiliar with using and maintaining the pumps, leading to improper usage or neglect.
- Disconnected Water Supply: In some areas, water connections were cut off as villagers refused to pay monthly bills, forcing them to rely on traditional water collection methods like ropes, pulleys, or carrying pots.
- Electricity Shortage: Some locations, like Chethyalathur, lacked electricity, making it difficult to install motorized filters.
Despite these obstacles, CYDA remained steadfast in their mission, employing a community-driven approach to ensure sustainability and local ownership of the interventions.
Transformative Interventions: Bringing Safe Water to 4,000 People
1. Community Engagement and Awareness
To ensure the long-term success of the intervention, the project team conducted extensive groundwork in December 2024:
- Baseline Surveys were carried out in 35 tribal hamlets to assess water contamination levels and community needs.
- Over 1500 Community Members Engaged through interactive meetings that explained the project’s objectives and implementation plans.
- 250 Community Representatives Trained in maintaining water filters and managing water sources to ensure self-reliance.
- Awareness Campaigns educated residents on the dangers of contaminated water and the importance of proper storage and sanitation.
These efforts developed a sense of ownership among the local population, ensuring that interventions were not only accepted but sustained in the long run.
2. Installation of Water Filtration Systems
To directly address the crisis of unsafe drinking water, CYDA installed filtration systems across 35 tribal hamlets, benefiting 1443 individuals and 4,000 individuals.
Key Interventions:
- 25 Hand Pumps with Integrated Filters: Installed in 22 locations where groundwater sources required purification, providing safe water to 890 households and 3,150 individuals.
- 10 Motorized Filtration Systems: Deployed in areas with deeper wells and higher population densities, benefiting 610 individuals in 13 hamlets.
- Protective Enclosures: 35 enclosures were built to safeguard filtration units from damage and contamination.
- Follow-up Assessments: Regular bi-monthly water quality testing ensured compliance with safety standards.
These measures drastically reduced the prevalence of waterborne diseases and provided much-needed relief to struggling communities.
Feedback from residents
- Jaanu from Karaputhadi: ” Earlier, we relied on well water, which was not pure. Everyone in our area uses filtered water for cooking and drinking. Now, we have access to good-quality water, which has improved our daily lives.”
- A resident of Karaputhadi: “The panchayat has laid pipelines, but there is no water supply. Thanks to CYDA, we now have access to clean and safe water, which has been very helpful for our community.”
- Local Resident: “Before, we used well water directly, but it was not pure. Now, through CYDA, we have good-quality water for drinking and cooking. It has made a big difference in our health and well-being.”
- A resident of the area: “In our area, both motorized pumps and hand pumps are available. We are happy to use them as they provide fresh, pure water. The electricity bill for operating the motor is shared among all families, and everyone contributes their part.”
- A resident of the area: “In October 2024, a cholera outbreak affected our area, and sadly, one person lost their life. This made us realize the importance of clean water. Now, we use the water filter effectively to ensure our safety.”
The Impact: A Community Transformed
The success of the project is best reflected in the lives it has changed:
- Improved Water Quality: The installation of 35 water filters significantly improved access to clean drinking water, reducing dependency on unsafe sources.
- Health Benefits: Access to purified water has helped prevent waterborne diseases, improving overall health conditions in affected areas.
- Community Participation: Households in some areas took responsibility for sharing electricity costs, ensuring the sustainability of motorized water filters.
- Accessibility to Clean Water: In severely affected locations like Malankaravayal, Kolur, and Vallivadi, residents no longer have to walk long distances to fetch drinking water.
- School Benefits: The Lower Primary school in Chethyalathur, with 17 students, now has access to clean water, benefiting the children’s health and hygiene.
- Infrastructure Improvement: Each filter was secured with an iron and steel mesh cage fixed in concrete, ensuring durability and protection from damage.
- Continued Support: CYDA continues to provide follow-up visits, offering additional guidance on proper usage and maintenance of the filters.
- A drastic reduction in waterborne illnesses, leading to improved overall health, especially among children and the elderly.
- Greater community ownership of water management through training and participation.
- Women and children relieved from the burden of fetching water from distant contaminated sources, allowing them to focus on education and livelihood activities.
- Infrastructure improvements, such as well rings and protective covers, ensuring long-term safety and sustainability of water sources.
3. Installation of Jalminars: A Strategic Move
Jalminars, equipped with UV filtration technology, have been introduced to serve as centralized safe water sources in high-traffic areas. The team carefully assessed locations and worked closely with villagers to identify the most accessible sites. While initial plans included Tholay and Mulanchira wards, the team discovered these areas already had solutions in place. Instead, they identified six strategic locations: Madathumbadi, Erankolly, Muthanaga, Thazhamunda, Cheengodu, and Neikkuppa.
The installation of Jalminar with filters across six various locations has had a significant impact on improving access to clean water for local communities. This initiative has not only improved the availability of safe drinking water but also contributed to better health and hygiene within these communities. The widespread benefits reflect the importance of such interventions in rural areas, ensuring that clean water is accessible to more people across different households.
| Details of installation of Jalminar water filter – March 2025 | |||
| Sr. No. | Location | No. of Households | Total individuals benefitted |
| 1 | Neikkuppa | 40 | 162 |
| 2 | Erankolly | 21 | 106 |
| 3 | Thazhamunda | 19 | 72 |
| 4 | Madathumbadi | 15 | 63 |
| 5 | Muthanga | 16 | 49 |
| 6 | Cheengodu | 24 | 123 |
| 135 | 575 | ||
Neikkuppa before Jalminar installation Neikkuppa – after Jalminar installation
Cheengodu Colony – Before Jalminar installation
After Jalminar installation
Impact after installation of Jalminar water filter
In the Neikkuppa area, people rely on a small well, approximately 2 feet deep, for water throughout the year, but water levels decrease, especially during peak summer. Despite the availability of a Jal Jeevan Mission pipeline, water is not accessible as and when needed. The well water is unsuitable for drinking due to contamination from nearby rice fields. To address this, a Jalminar was installed near the well, providing clean, filtered water from the well.
In Erankolly, the area has a water connection but receives supply only twice a week. The water quality is moderately good, but still not ideal. After the installation of the Jalminar, residents now have access to fresh, filtered water.
In Thazhamunda Colony, residents use a rope and pulley system to extract water from a deep well (110 feet). During summer, the water appears clear, but it becomes reddish during the rainy season due to runoff from nearby rice fields. The project uses solar-powered technology to pump water from the tank, making it easier for residents to access clean water without needing electricity.
In Muthanga Colony, a flood-affected area, floodwaters often contaminate the wells, making the water unsafe to drink. When floods occur, residents are displaced and take refuge in camps. Similarly, in Neikkuppa, floodwaters from nearby areas also affect the well. In Muthanga, the proximity to forested areas also contributes to water contamination. The Jalminar filtration system ensures that residents get access to clean water, even in these challenging conditions.
In Chengod Colony, there is no pipeline connection, and residents have to fetch drinking water from far away. The well water is unsafe for drinking, but after installing the Jalminar, people now have access to clean, filtered water directly from the tap.
In Madathumbadi, water is supplied through a pipeline, but it only comes two to three times a week. Residents use a rope and pulley to extract water from the well, but after the installation of the Jalminar, they now enjoy fresh water directly from the tap, thanks to the new filtration system.
This initiative has improved water accessibility and quality for residents across multiple colonies, ensuring they have reliable access to clean water.
Pressing Needs and the Road Ahead
While the progress has been significant, critical challenges remain:
- Expanding Coverage: Many tribal hamlets still lack access to clean water due to resource constraints.
- Infrastructure Strengthening: Protective well rings and covers need to be constructed to safeguard water sources from future contamination.
- Rainwater Harvesting and Conservation: With unpredictable monsoons, introducing water conservation techniques will be crucial to ensuring long-term water security.
A Call to Action
The success of this initiative highlights the power of community-led interventions in solving critical water and sanitation challenges. With continued support and investment, we can ensure that no community in Wayanad struggles for safe drinking water again.
