Coastal stretches in the Perinad panchayat no more face acute water crisis during summers, thanks to the innovative projects implemented by the local body: ManoramaAnchalummoodu: The Perinad grama panchayat in Kollam district has set an example for other local self-government institutions in the state by successfully implementing several water conservation ideas mooted at the ‘Palathulli’ water conservation campaign initiated by Malayala Manorama.
Coastal stretches in the Perinad panchayat no more face acute water crisis during summer, thanks to the innovative projects implemented by the local body.
Most of the schemes being put in place in different wards of the panchayat are the brainchild of grama panchayat president L Anil, who actively participated in the Palathulli’ campaign and shared his ideas to mitigate potable water shortage during summer.
Combating water scarcity
Revival of abandoned water sources was one of the major action plans to meet water shortage.
The panchayat pond in ward No. 18 near the Sreekrishna Temple in Perinad was cleaned, desilted and widened with earth movers.
The services of the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme was also utilised to deepen the pond to a length of 15 metres and a width of 10 metres.
After strengthening the banks of the pond with soil, coir geo textiles were used to pad the slopes of the pond.
There is also a pump house adjacent to the pond to supply water to nearby areas. The only work left is planting vetiver plants along the slopes.
Renovation of borewells
A borewell next to the pond, which has been lying unused for over 25 years, was also restored.
A well was constructed by spending over Rs 35 lakh and pipelines were laid to Vellimanal through the coastal stretch for drinking water supply.
The panchayat also leased an abandoned borewell dug under the community irrigation scheme at Vellimon and sanctioned its renovation.
The area’s drinking water problems could be solved once these water sources get connected to the pipeline network established by the Water Authority at a cost of Rs 2,50,000.
Water kiosks
In places grappling with acute drinking water shortage, massive tanks have been constructed.
Five water kiosks have also been set up in colonies in the panchayat.
As many as 200 households were given water tanks under the panchayat’s annual plan.
Well-recharging scheme
Panchayat wells at Nanthirikkal and Cherumoodu Parappuram colony were recharged.
A new well was constructed at the Prakash Jayanthi colony.
In the next phase, motors will be installed to pump water to the tanks.
The Perinad panchayat has been selected for the well-recharging programme under the state government’s Jalanidhi project.
The plan is to implement the scheme in 500 households with government subsidy. Due to a lack of response from public, the deadline for submitting the application has been extended, officials said.
The panchayat has set aside a sum of Rs 35 lakh for water conservation initiatives including well-recharging schemes and construction of borewells during the 2018-19 fiscal.
