Gandhinagar: Water Supply Department of Gujarat has been making headlines for accomplishing several major projects in the state under the Nal Se Jal Abhiyan. One such achievement was recently reported from Sada village of Narmada district where, despite geographical challenges, a 24 hours water supply has been ensured.

It is noteworthy that 97 percent of work under Nal se Jal of connecting every household in Gujarat has been accomplished and the state government will complete this project by the end of September 2022.

Geographical Challenges

Owing to the geographical structure of Sada village of Dediapada taluka, it is challenging to construct a network of roads or even connect the village with electricity. Situated on the banks of the Karjan river, one can reach this village by boat. 45 families reside with a total population of around 250. Moreover, houses here are built at quite a distance from each other. Considering these factors, setting up an infrastructure to provide round-the-clock tap water to households was a tedious one for the Government of Gujarat. Moreover, it was not possible to implement the state government’s regional water supply scheme at Sada.

Besides, due to the high level of turbidity in the Karjan river water, it cannot be consumed directly. To treat this water, the localities used to dig a seepage pit of about 50 meters at some distance from the river to treat the water naturally which can be used for domestic purposes. However, putting an end to this drudgery, Water and Sanitation Management Organisation (WASMO) constructed a floating platform setup, which has now made it possible to have 24 hours drinking water in this village.

What is WASMO’s Floating Platform Technique?

The solar-powered floating platform has been installed above the river Karjan which keeps floating on this river. Two small submersible pumps are also installed in this floating platform based single phase which are present underwater and both are interconnected. Both these pumps with a capacity of 3 HP have the capability to lift water up to a height of 110 meters.

Taking into account the geographical location, this village has been divided into two zones for this project. One solar panel each with a capacity of 3 kW has been installed at the highest point of these zones to operate the pumps. The power generated from these solar panels is carried through a copper cable to the floating platform present in the river and thus operates both the submersible pumps. In future, there is a plan to store the remaining electricity after utilising the solar energy obtained from these solar panels.

To treat the river water, it is channeled through a set of sand filters installed near the solar panels located on both the zones. It is further is purified with a capacity of 2,400 litres per hour per filter. This water is then transferred to two clear water tanks with a capacity of 5,000 litres per tank installed adjacent.

Interestingly, solar panels, sand filters and clear water tanks have been installed at the same place in both the zones. The water in the tank is disinfected with bleaching powder and eventually delivered to the door-to-door reach of Sada village through water distribution lines.

It is also noteworthy that five taps have also been installed in the lower part of the clear water tanks so that if water is not coming due to any reason in the tap of any house in that area, then that family can get water from the tap present in the lower part of this tank.

Project accomplished in just 15 days

Despite various geographical and traffic challenges, this project constructed at a cost of ₹16,67,000 has been completed in just 15 days. This water system throughout the day for the entire Sada village will commence from September 9, 2022. The overall management of this project will be done by a water committee formed at the village level, and its technical management will be done by WASMO.