Innovations Report,
Nadukuppam Panchayat,
Vilupuram District, Tamil Nadu,
Pitchandikulam Bio Resource Centre, Tamil Nadu In
Partnership for Development with
AusAID and Quaker Service Australia
Extract from Chapter 2: WATER INNOVATIONS
WATER SUPPLY ANALYSIS ......................................................................................................................................
COMMUNITY FEEDBACK ON WATER .....................................................................................................................
WATER QUALITY ANALYSIS ...................................................................................................................................
TECHNOLOGY REVIEW .............................................................................................................................................
RECOMMENDATIONS ................................................................................................................................................
FURTHER WORKS .....................................................................................................................................................
ADDITIONAL INNOVATIVE OPTIONS FOR CONSIDERATION ...............................................................................
WASTE WATER TREATMENT ANALYSIS ..............................................................................................................
EDUCATIONAL SUPPORT ..........................................................................................................................................
MAINTENANCE REQUIREMENTS.............................................................................................................................
TECHNOLOGY REVIEW .............................................................................................................................................
RECOMMENDATIONS ................................................................................................................................................
All households in Devikulam use water from the village tank for drinking and
cooking. Households in the village have their own taps linked to the village
supply, however households in the colony are not directly linked to the village
supply, they use a common tap to attain suitable drinking water. Access to the
village tap for drinking water is only available for one hour in the morning and one
hour in the evening, thus water is collected in large vessels for daily use.
Households in the colony also have common taps, linked to the water tank in the
colony, however due to the quality of this water it is not suitable for drinking and
is used only for washing and cleaning.
Water Supply Analysis
The development of a safe and reliable water supply system has vast economic,
social and environmental benefits to the Devikulum community. Currently, the
community water is supplied from three different bores, one of which has been
identified as ‘saline’ by those living in the colony. Water from this bore is not used
for human consumption but for other purposes such as washing, flushing and
cleaning. The two other bores along with a 30 000 litre storage tank and a
thorough distribution network supply is used for all purposes, including drinking.
The two bores servicing the tank, are situated close the village pond which is
also used for bathing, washing and watering cattle, washing machinery and
clothes etc.
Community Feedback on Water
After consultation with the community about water quality and usage, the
following issues were raised:

The bore well in the colony has saline water

There is a need for installation of a solar pump on the larger tank in order
to ensure constant supply during power cuts

The condition of taps is poor resulting in high levels of water wastage

The community has proposed that the smaller bore well which is 130 ft
deep and under repair could be used for installation of a possible
purification system.
Water Quality Analysis
Water quality analysis undertaken by the Innovation Project team on the
3.4.2010 indicated that the water currently being supplied to the village is
appropriate for human consumption (See Water Quality Test Results for details).
(Please also note that based on the geological composition of the area, testing
for mercury and arsenic in the water is not required and was not recommended
by the testing laboratory that have extensive experience in testing for relevant
pollutants in the region). Consultation with traditional health professionals
working in the Devikulam village and colony have reported no cases of significant
poor health or diarrhoea relating directly to water-borne diseases from the village
water supply.
The analysis indicates that the greatest areas of concern for the water supply are
salinity and bacterial contamination. There are several risk factors that could
impact on this safe supply, including saltwater intrusion that may increase the
salinity of the water, making it unfit for drinking. In addition during monsoon
periods polluted water from the pond and surrounding areas that is contaminated
with human or animal waste could flow into the bore and pollute it having
significant implications for human health.
Currently salinity levels are acceptable and the water is still appropriate for
drinking. With salt-water intrusion increasing in the area due to over extraction of
groundwater, it is reasonable however to assume that the level of salinity
may continue to increase over time. If this is the case the village will have to
either remove the salt or find another freshwater supply, both of these options
would come at a significant cost.
The other area of concern for water quality is bacteria count. While currently
levels of bacteria are extremely low, there is still an indication of bacteria in the
water supply. It is quite possible that the detected bacteria are as a result of
contamination from the distribution network, the tank or even during sampling.
For these reasons it has been identified as a priority to quarantine the bore area
from cattle and human contamination. There are also several water treatment
options available to provide greater disinfection if required.
The Innovation Project team will endeavor to identify the most appropriate, cost
effective and sustainable treatment technologies to be placed 'on stand by' if and
when these parameters will require further treatment.
Technology Review
As part of the Innovations Project, the innovations team has reviewed a number
of different treatment systems, assessing their potential application at the
Devikulam Village.
These include:

Media Filter and Ultra Violet Filtration

Reverse Osmosis and Ultra Violet Filtration

Ceramic Water Filters

Chlorination
Recommendations
Initial water quality assessment suggests that the water being delivered through
the common taps is currently appropriate for consumption. In order to address
risks associated with bore contamination the Innovations Project team will work
with the community to isolate the bore from wastewater flows during the
monsoon season. This will be done by creating a bund between the pond and the
bore and by placing vegetation and signage near the bore to discourage human
and animal interaction with the water supply.
During the next quarter, the Innovations Project team will obtain specific costing
information from water treatment suppliers. In addition, it is recommended that
water quality testing as well as human health information can be systematically
collected. Then at a time when further water treatment is required the selected
treatment system and distribution model can be implemented.
Further Works
Field visits to Devikulum have indicated that there area a variety of issues with
the water supply system. Some individuals have complained about a lack of
pressure in the pipes. Poorly maintained taps and leaking infrastructure is
believed to be contributing to this lack of pressure.
The Innovations Project team recommends that improvements be made to
existing infrastructure and a maintenance program is put in place to assist in
reducing the loss of water and increasing the water pressure associated with the
system.
Additional Innovative Options for Consideration
Biodigestion and Spirulina System
The production of spirulina as a nutrition supplement has been successful in both
Auroville and Nadukuppam. The production has also resulted in an opportunity
for local women’s groups to obtain an alternate income through the sale of
spirulina. The production process requires the application of nutrients. Currently,
these nutrients, such as nitrogen and phosphorus are acquired from nonsustainable sources.
The possibility exists for a biodigestion system to be provided to meet this
nutrient requirement. Biodigestion systems are well understood and have been
applied in Indian conditions previously. They would have the additional benefit of
producing gas for cooking etc. in the village.
Urine Collection for Aquaculture Production
As in spirulina production fish production also requires a nutrient supply. Human
waste has been used to fertilize fish ponds in parts of Asia for thousands of
years. Recently a trial has been carried out in India that suggests there is
significant potential for fish production in ponds and tanks fertilized with human
urine. If it was to be pursued such a system could be integrated into a desirable
toilet design.
Aquaponics
Aquaponics is gaining increased interest as a method for sustainable fish and
plant culture. Aquaponics relies on a symbiotic relationship between fish and
plants. Wastewater from a fish tank or pond is taken and delivered to plant crops
where parameters from the fish waste that are potentially harmful to the fish’s
survival are absorbed or converted by the plants. As a result both fish and plant
crops are cultivated. Such a system could have significant benefits to the
innovations project as it may supply fresh vegetables and fish and also provide a
source of training and income.
Waste Water Treatment Analysis
The provision of appropriate wastewater treatment is extremely important to
sustained environmental and human health. The common practice of open
defecation has the potential to transfer pathogens to both water and food
supplies. The implementation of toilets and appropriate sanitation solutions as
part of the Innovations Project has the potential to provide significant
improvements to living conditions in Devikulam. Initially the project team explored
the possibility of implementing a common toilet for the village, however after
some review of existing facilities and community consultation, it is expected there
will be ongoing problems with maintenance (it is unlikely that anyone will take
responsibility for cleaning the common toilet). Thus it was decided that single
toilets would be built in the village, each would be for use by one household only
and thus the maintenance of that toilet would be the responsibility of that
particular household.
It is expected that toilets will be constructed outside the household in clusters so
that four toilets for example, might service four houses in close proximity. This
community plan for sanitation also means that clusters of toilets can use common
treatment systems.
In the initial stages of this project, it is anticipated that a total of 10 single toilets
will be built in Devikulam, 6 in the village and 4 in the colony. Toilets at the
Vandipalayam School will also be constructed as part of the innovations project.
Is this correct?
Educational support
While the current review has explored the technical components of wastewater
treatment this report also wishes to highlight the importance of education in the
successful uptake of toilet usage and implementation of wastewater treatment
technologies. While there has been a recent shift towards the use of toilets and
away from traditional practices of defecation in the field, this needs to be
supported by ongoing education, particularly highlighting the health benefits of
such. Similarly, irrespective of the chosen technology for waste water treatment,
appropriate education support is also imperative.
Maintenance requirements
Each system also requires appropriate and ongoing maintenance in order for the
project to be successful. While the type of maintenance required will vary
between systems all of the technologies require thorough and appropriate
maintenance for the system to work effectively over the long term.
Technology Review
As part of the Innovations Project several different waste water treatment
systems have been reviewed for their potential application at the Devikulam
Village.
These include:

Baffle Reactor and Pond

Septic Tank and Drain Field

Biodigestor

Compost Toilet with Urine Separation

Horizontal Flow Wetland

Horizontal Flow Wetland using Recycled Plastic Media

Vertical Flow Wetland

Combined Vertical and Horizontal Flow Wetland

Reciprocating Vegetated Sand Filter

Algal Lagoon
Recommendations
Numerous wastewater treatment systems were identified in the review process.
Several of them have been applied in the surrounding region to varying degrees
of success. While commonly provided dry or compost toilets have significant
benefits associated with not requiring water and allowing for simple and safe
waste disposal, they have been implemented in rural villages with varying rates
of success largely as a result of social issues. It is suggested that if they are to
be implemented, significant educational support would be required. In addition,
the provision of biogas systems would also require significant support as the use
of human waste as a fertilizer presents an issue with the local culture.
Septic tanks and distribution systems as well as lagoons also present concerns
during heavy rainfall periods when waste can be mixed with water supplies.
Horizontal flow systems have been unsuccessful in tropical conditions without
careful design and maintenance. While potentially applicable, vertical flow
wetland and combined vertical flow and horizontal flow systems are larger than
reciprocating sand filters and therefore more costly. Thus, sand filters are the
preferred option. In addition, the pond and baffle reactor solution has a proven
track record in local communities. One disadvantage of this system is the
requirement to provide a pump and the costs associated with implementation and
maintenance of the pump.
As a result of the analysis to date there are three preferred systems:
1.
composting toilets (with urine separation)
2.
baffle reactor
3.
pond and the reciprocating vegetated sand filter
It is currently the suggestion of the Innovations Project team that the three
different technologies are trialled in the Innovations Project in order to investigate
the long-term uptake and sustainability of the systems.