The Water Transect, involving a walk from source to users, is a tool for onsite assessment of the water source, relevant equipment, O&M of facilities and monitoring compliance with the public water system.
The Source to User Water Transect also provides an opportunity to educate community members about water safety at the water source, transport main, reservoir and in the distribution system.
It is a technique that records visible faults and deficiencies that could lead to the pollution of drinking water. It combines physical observation and reference to the checklists.
Involving women in the Water Transect may throw light on some new issues that have never been considered previously.
T o o l k i T f o r T h e P r e P a r aT i o n o f a D r i n k i n g WaT e r S e c u r i T y P l a n T o o l k i T f o r T h e P r e P a r aT i o n o f a D r i n k i n g WaT e r S e c u r i T y P l a n
Checklist Present
Status Issues Drinking Water Source
is the source protected by a strong fence to prevent animals entering? is the ground around the source clean?
yes/no are animal or humans prevented from drinking water/defecating or leaving
garbage around the source?
yes/no latrines or seepage from latrines around the source? yes/no effluent from poultry, livestock, schools or houses entering the source? yes/no are people prevented from bathing, doing laundry or washing animals or
vehicles at the source?
yes/no is there a signboard “Drinking Water Source—keep it clean”? yes/no Pumping Machinery
is the pumping logbook kept up-to-date? yes/no
is the machinery shaking and making noise when operating? yes/no
Does the pump lift water as per its capacity? yes/no
Does it fill the elevated storage reservoir/ground-level storage reservoir within the expected time?
yes/no
is a stand-by pump provided? yes/no
is servicing of pumps done periodically? yes/no
is the meter board well maintained and with no loose wires? yes/no Does the pump house have a working electric meter? yes/no
is the earthing in good working order? yes/no
is a safety toolkit available? yes/no
are the electricity bills based on actual consumption of electricity? yes/no rising Main
is a non-return valve provided? yes/no
are there leaks in the rising main? yes/no
Storage Tank
are the storage tanks kept clean and fenced? yes/no
are there leaks in the storage tank? yes/no
are the storage tanks cleaned once a month? yes/no
are washing dates recorded? yes/no
is there a fixed water-level indicator and lightning conductor? yes/no is there a ladder inside and outside the storage tank? yes/no
is there a lid? is it kept closed? yes/no
Table 3.10. Checklist to Identify Water Security, Water Supply System and O&M Issues
P r o c e S S P l a n n i n g
Checklist Present
Status Issues Distribution network
are there leaks in the distribution system? yes/no
is there leakage in the valves fitted on the distribution system? yes/no
are the chambers and covers in good condition? yes/no
are taps fixed on the standpost and private connections? yes/no
are there illegal service connections? yes/no
is there misuse of water? yes/no
are meters fixed for all connections? yes/no
are the school and anganwadi provided with service connections? yes/no Hand Pump
is the platform of the hand pump in good condition? yes/no is there a proposed arrangement to dispose of wastewater around the
hand pump?
yes/no is there any problem in the functioning of the handle? yes/no o&M issues
is an o&M budget for the water supply scheme in place? yes/no
is the water tariff sufficient to meet costs? yes/no
is o&M income and expenditure managed by VWSc? yes/no
Does a logbook exist for pumping? yes/no
has VWSSc and water person received training in o&M? yes/no Solid and liquid Waste Management
is solid waste disposed of in a scientific way? yes/no
Does a proper arrangement exist for wastewater management (sullage, soak pits, gutters, etc.)?
yes/no
4. on your return from the water journey, assemble participants in the central place and consolidate the water supply system issues, challenges and possible solutions. alternatives should be discussed and outcomes noted on the chart.
T o o l k i T f o r T h e P r e P a r aT i o n o f
• erecting a fence, cleaning the source area, oDf, putting up a signboard, installing other signboards to prevent bathing and laundry
• Consider source conservation measures, e.g., plantation, rainwater harvesting, groundwater recharge, etc.
• roofwater harvesting for schools and public buildings
• Suitable water treatment, if required
• groundwater recharge structure, recharge shafts
• Discounting flood irrigation
• Adopting drip and sprinkler irrigation system
• harvesting surface runoff by constructing check dams, subsurface dykes, etc.
• Software activity: Sensitisation and awareness-raising programme
• Additional source (surface/ground water) if required Pumping
Machinery
• Repair pump house and pumping machinery, check pumping capacity, electrical installations, etc.
• ensure proper approach to the pump house
• Repair and up-keep of the meter board
• Maintenance of the log book rising
Main
• Reassessment of diameter of pipe material and number of valves required, replacement of pipeline in event of serious problems such as frequent pipeline bursts
• Stopping any leaks
Table 3.11. Format for Water Supply System Issues, Challenges and Possible Solutions
P r o c e S S P l a n n i n g
one rain gauge station needs to be established per gP.
When installing a rain gauge station, the following should be noted:
l The site should be on level ground and easily accessible.
l The site should be an open space with no obstructions in the form of trees, walls, etc.
l The horizontal distance between the rain gauge and the nearest object should be twice the height of these objects.
l The site should face away from a continuous wind force.
l in hilly areas, where level ground is difficult to find, the rain gauge should be located where wind cannot form eddies.
l The rain gauge needs to enclosed by a barbed wire fence.
l The gauge should be truly vertical.
l The observer must visit the gauge station regularly in order to ensure that it is ready for measurement.