Community Outreach of Water, Environment & Sanitation
September 25, 2025 2025-09-29 7:32Community Outreach of Water, Environment & Sanitation
Community Outreach of Water, Environment & Sanitation
Water, Environment & Sanitation (WATSAN)
Water is one of the prime needs of all human beings. Himalayan area is highly water stressed in spite of being the origin place of the Ganges, Yamuna and other almighty rivers. Rudimentary infrastructure for safe water and sanitation is absent or inadequate in most hilly regions. This has a direct impact on health, drudgery and multiple related issues. Women, in particular, spend 3–4 hours daily fetching water from distant sources. Scarcity of drinking water is steadily increasing with the decline of natural sources.
WATSAN Projects are designed with a demand-responsive, need-based and community-driven approach. They ensure active participation of gram panchayats, user committees, and local communities who plan, design, implement, and manage their own schemes. Communities contribute 10% of capital costs for community works, over 60% of sanitation facilities, and take 100% of O&M responsibility.
The key objective is to deliver sustainable health and hygiene benefits through water supply and environmental sanitation services, thereby improving quality of life. Providing safe water and sanitation, and promoting hygiene, has significantly reduced disease burden in villages.
Community participation in WATSAN initiatives
Achievements in Water, Environment & Sanitation
- Key Resource Center (KRC) for National Jal Jeevan Mission and Swachh Bharat Mission – Gramin under the Ministry of Jal Shakti.
- CSR agency empanelment by the Ministry of Drinking Water & Sanitation for water-related activities.
- Research & development partnerships with IIT Roorkee, National Institute of Hydrology (NIH), ICIMOD (Nepal), and IIPSRT (Uttarakhand Vidhan Sabha).
- Over 25 partnerships with national and international organizations to foster innovation and capacity building.
- Developed two patented technologies: aquifer recharge via handpumps and a 365-day rooftop rainwater harvesting model.
- Implemented 340+ water supply schemes, 600+ rainwater harvesting tanks, and built 14,000 eco-friendly toilets.
- Trained over 25,000 community members including governance officials and ASHAs.
- Transformed 550 villages into water-enlightened communities.
- Awarded the CII Platinum for Green Practices in sustainable WASH.
Achievements and recognitions in the WASH sector
WATSAN Presence
The WATSAN Department today has an active presence in 31 States and Union Territories, scaling up community-driven water and sanitation solutions across India.
Expanding reach across India
List of Technical Studies in Water, Environment & Sanitation sector
Technical Studies & Research Projects
WATSAN has undertaken multiple research and technical studies in partnership with national and international agencies, addressing sanitation, water supply, health impact assessments, planning, and innovative service delivery models.
| S.N. | Title & Description of Technical Studies | Project / Sponsor |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Social and Environmental audit of STPs under Namami Gange | State Mission for Clean Ganga (SMCG), Dehradun |
| 2 | Open Defecation Free Verification Study in 5 Districts of U.P. — conducted in 96 Gram Panchayats to assess sanitation practices | Department of Panchayati Raj, Govt. of Uttar Pradesh under Swachh Bharat Mission |
| 3 | Experience of Himmothan Project (WATSAN Intervention) in Himalayas through Community Management Approach | Sir Ratan Tata Trust (SRTT), Mumbai |
| 4 | Health Benefit Study — assessing impact of drinking water & sanitation projects on health & hygiene | P.M.U., Swajal, Dehradun |
| 5 | Impact Assessment Study (social, technical, financial, environmental) of Swajal projects | Sir Ratan Tata Trust (SRTT), Mumbai |
| 6 | Project Planning & Implementation Plan (PIP) — feasibility, planning & guidelines | Sir Ratan Tata Trust (SRTT), Mumbai |
| 7 | Appraisal of Detailed Technical Reports of water & sanitation projects | Sir Ratan Tata Trust (SRTT), Mumbai |
| 8 | Information Needs Assessment — identifying stakeholder information gaps in WASH sector | IRC, Netherlands |
| 9 | Institutional Mapping & Publishing Blue Pages of WASH institutes in Uttarakhand | IRC, Netherlands |
| 10 | Health Sector Study | Sir Ratan Tata Trust (SRTT), Mumbai |
| 11 | Status of health care and niche areas for support in Uttaranchal | Sir Ratan Tata Trust (SRTT), Mumbai |
| 12 | Preparation of District Action Plan for Udham Singh Nagar | Futures Group International Inc. (FUTURES) |
| 13 | Preparation of District Action Plan for Almora District | Futures Group International Inc. (FUTURES) |
| 14 | Innovation & New Media Technologies for Transformation in Public Services — quality family planning | Population Foundation of India |
| 15 | Challenges in managing tele-medicine centers in remote tribal hilly areas of Uttarakhand | ISRO |
| 16 | Measuring Disability via Household Survey in Uttarakhand | CBM-SARO(N) |
| 17 | Status of User’s Perspective on Quality Family Planning Services in Doiwala Block, Dehradun | Population Foundation of India |
| 18 | Assessment of awareness and presence of risk factors for cancer in a rural community of Uttarakhand | Population Foundation of India |
| 19 | A study in ASHA – a change agent of society | SARC |
| 20 | Comprehensive rural epilepsy surveillance program in Uttarakhand state | ICMR |
| 21 | Keeping up the morale of ASHAs in Uttarakhand — appraisal of their economic status, contribution to household income, and role of incentives | SARC / PFI |
| 22 | Morbidity of Uterine Prolapse among women in Chakrata block, Dehradun (community-based cross sectional study) | CBM-SARO(N) |
| 23 | Innovative application of Mobile Phone in vital registration — ensuring 100% registration of maternal morbidity & mortality | Population Foundation of India |
| 24 | Adolescent Educational Status | AHIU |
| 25 | Comprehensive insight into the impact of economic status and drudgery on health of agrarian women in Doiwala, Dehradun | Population Foundation of India |
Technological Innovations in Water, Environment & Sanitation
| Title of Study & Research | Description |
|---|---|
| Affordable Climate-Resilient Water Supply Infrastructure Prototype for Indian Himalayan Region | Project funded by NMHS – MoEF&CC, Government of India |
| Direct Injection of Rainwater through Handpump for Recharging of Aquifers in Mountainous Areas (Patented) | Innovative technology for aquifer recharge developed and patented. ₹36 Cr sanctioned to GoUK by GoI. |
| Innovative 365 Days Model of Rooftop Rainwater Harvesting for Non-potable Uses (Patented) | Rainwater used year-round for toilets in multiple buildings, with surplus diverted to groundwater recharge. |
| Individual Rooftop Rainwater Harvesting of 7 KL Capacity | 600+ individual rooftop rainwater harvesting tanks constructed in areas without available water sources. |
| Innovative Technologies for Tapping of Spring & Stream in Mountainous Area | Developed disaster-resilient technologies — Uttaranchal Koop (for streams) and Steel Intake (for springs). |
| Solar Pumping Water Supply Scheme | Five solar pumping schemes constructed (4 from springs, 1 from tubewell). Includes a 186m single lift in Tehri Garhwal, first of its kind in Uttarakhand. |
| Geo-hydrology based Springshed Management | Science-based approach for spring recharge, integrating hydrological analysis with traditional wisdom. |
Activities undertaken by WATSAN during 2024-2025
Students and villagers participating in water & sanitation awareness activities
Community Engagement on RDI Foundation Day
On 20–21 September 2024, SRHU celebrated RDI Foundation Day across its campus and in villages including Pasta, Tashila, Moldhar, and Jaswawala.
The event engaged approximately 200 students and villagers through community-led water and sanitation awareness activities. (SDG 6.b)
Swachhta Pakhwada – Campus-Wide Sanitation Campaign
From 23 September to 1 October 2024, SRHU organized Swachhta Pakhwada, a campus-wide campaign promoting sanitation and hygiene practices, reaching 328 students and faculty members. (SDG 6.2)
Environmental assessment of Sewage Treatment Plants
Social and Environmental Audit of Sewage Infrastructure
From 01 January to 15 June 2025, SRHU conducted a social and environmental audit of seven Sewage Treatment Plants (STPs) and two Interception and Diversion sites in Dehradun, Haridwar, Tehri Garhwal, and Nainital.
Supported by Namami Gange and the State Mission for Clean Ganga (SMCG), Government of Uttarakhand in partnership with SRHU. (SDG 6.3)
GESI-Responsive Springshed Management in the Hindu Kush Himalaya
From 29 January to 1 February 2025, SRHU hosted a training on Gender Equality and Social Inclusion (GESI)-responsive Springshed Management in the Hindu Kush Himalaya, attended by 63 participants from 11 Indian states as well as Nepal and Bhutan.
Conducted in collaboration with ICIMOD and GBPNIHE. (SDG 6.5)
Training on Springshed Management for GESI integration
World Water Day – Rural and Campus Outreach
On 22–23 March 2025, SRHU organized awareness campaigns and activities in the SRHU campus and villages such as Kokaliyal, Tachla, Gudiyawala, and Thano, engaging 529 students and villagers. (SDG 6.b)
Affordable Climate-Resilient Water Supply Infrastructure
Affordable Climate-Resilient Water Supply Infrastructure Project
Initiated on 29 March 2025 in five districts: Pauri, Rudraprayag, Chamoli, Tehri, and Uttarkashi, supported by NMHS – MoEFCC, Government of India in collaboration with SRHU.
The project aims to ensure access to safe and affordable drinking water in climate-sensitive regions. (SDG 6.1, 6.4)
Co-Learning and Exposure Visit on Springshed Management
Conducted on 22–23 April 2025 at SRHU Campus and Dehradun with 32 participants, including mayors from Nepal and Uttarakhand.
Supported by ICIMOD, this initiative shared best practices in integrated water resource management. (SDG 6.5)
Participation in State-Level Water Governance
On 26 May 2025, SRHU participated in the Executive Committee meeting of the State Water Sanitation Mission (SWSM) held in Dehradun.
This contributes to capacity-building and policy engagement in water governance. (SDG 6.a)
SRHU participation in water governance meeting
Water Conservation Awareness in Industry
On 4 June 2025, an awareness session on water conservation and waste management was conducted at Wipro Enterprise Ltd, SIDCUL, Haridwar, engaging 24 staff members.
Supported by Wipro in collaboration with SRHU, the session addressed responsible water usage and workplace sanitation. (SDG 6.3, 6.6)
Direct Injection Groundwater Recharge Project
At the Uttarakhand Vidhan Sabha Bhawan, Bhararisain (Gairsain), the “Direct Injection Groundwater Recharge Initiative” was officially launched by Hon’ble Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami ji and Hon’ble Speaker Ritu Khanduri Bhushan ji.
SRHU and the International Institute for Parliamentary Studies, Research & Training (IIPSRT) are partners in this innovative initiative. Treated rainwater is injected into defunct handpumps to rejuvenate groundwater resources, improving access to safe drinking water for villagers.
In the first phase, 20 handpumps in Gairsain and Chaukhutia blocks were revived. This sustainable solution significantly reduces the burden on women who previously had to travel long distances for water. (SDG 6.1, 6.4)
