APPRAISAL- OF RURAL WATER SUPPLY AND SANITATION- SCHEMES IN UTTARANCHAL

Abstract

Uttaranchal is affected by water scarcity with 63% habitations (UA Govt., 2004) receiving less than the Government of India prescribed basis service level of 40 1pcd. Current rural water supply stream ranges from traditional open wells and hand pumps to piped water supply scheme with treatment plants and private connections. The capital cost of this rural water supply scheme is fully subsidized by the Government. The operation and maintenance cost, though theoretically chargeable to the users, is also not recovering regularly and almost fully subsidized by the Government. Maintenance of rural water supply system is not of high standard with about one-third of rural water supply system out of operation at any given time. Sanitation levels in the state are below the national average, with only 2.5% of the population using latrines. Improved access to water supply and environmental sanitation remains a high development priority for the state government. The government of Uttaranchal has implemented an integrated rural water supply and environmental sanitation project (Swajal project) with World Bank assistance (Phase I) and currently. implementing Sir Ratan Tata Trust funded Himotthan project in the state. Short listed NGOs (Support Organizations) are assisting village communities in planning and construction of their schemes. In Uttaranchal works have been completed in 43 villages under Swajal project and are presently going on in 12 villages under Himotthan project. The present study attempts to evaluate these schemes to assess the fulfillment of objectives and explore desired measures for improving and strengthening these projects.