Background
The maintenance of desired quantity and acceptable quality standard of water supply services throughout the design life of the water supply systems may be defined as sustainability. The system as well as the water supply source must fulfil these criteria. The sustainability is with reference to Source (quantity and quality) and System (infrastructures). Under program fund component of NRDWP, construction of roof top rainwater harvesting tank (RWHT) is being done by the PMU.
20% of the NRDWP funds will be earmarked for this component on a 100% Central share basis to be allocated among States/UTs, which will be used to encourage States/ UTs to achieve drinking water security through sustainability of sources and systems. This component will be implemented in the form of decentralized, community-managed, demand-driven program on broad Swajaldhara principles wherein innovations will be encouraged. Capital cost sharing by the community is left to the state to decide. The component will be funded fully by the Center (State share not required for the component).
States will be required to prepare district wise Drinking Water Security Plan and funds under NRDWP will be used to fund the gap in the plan.
Factors affecting sustainability of water sources:
The depletion or lowering of water levels in groundwater and surface water sources.
Change/degradation of water quality due to over drawls or contamination by domestic/industrial wastes/ waste water.
For ensuring sustainability of the systems, steps were initiated in 1999 to institutionalize community participation in the implementation of rural drinking water supply scheme by incorporating the following three basic principles:
Adoption of a demand-driven responsive and adaptable approach based on empowerment of villagers to ensure their full participation in the project through a decision making role in the choice of scheme design, control of finances and management arrangements.
Increasing role of government for empowering user groups/gram panchayats for sustainable management of drinking water assets and integrated water management and conservation.
Partial capital cost sharing either in cash or kind or both and 100 per cent responsibility of Operation and Maintenance by end-users.
Basic principles of sustainability
Conjunctive use of water defined as judicious use of ground water, surface water and roof-water as per drinking water demand and availability, seasonally or monthly.
Recharge of groundwater aquifers during monsoon. This could even dilute the contaminants considerably over a period of time. Many recharge structures provide both for groundwater recharge and surface water availability.
Conservation of Surface water Sources.
Promote Rainwater /Dew/ Snow harvesting in a big way especially for scattered habitations.
Revive traditional water harvesting structures, and village ponds into better functional systems in providing safe drinking water.
Use of efficient, new and renewable energy sources for pumping /in situ treatment like solar disinfection, solar desalination, etc.
Promote Recycling and Reuse of water.