Executive Summary
Access to safe and reliable drinking water remains a critical challenge for many rural and peri-urban communities due to climate variability, groundwater depletion, contamination, and weak water infrastructure. Women and children are disproportionately affected, spending long hours collecting water and facing health risks from unsafe sources.
This project aims to ensure equitable access to safe drinking water through community-managed water supply systems, combining climate-resilient infrastructure, water quality monitoring, local governance, and behavior change. Over 24–36 months, the project will provide safe water to 3,000 households, strengthen community ownership, and improve public health outcomes.
Problem Statement
Key challenges include:
- Contaminated groundwater (biological and chemical pollutants)
- Seasonal water scarcity due to droughts and erratic rainfall
- Poorly maintained or non-functional water infrastructure
- Limited community ownership and technical capacity
- Health risks from water-borne diseases
These challenges undermine health, productivity, education, and overall well-being.
Project Goal
To ensure sustainable and safe access to drinking water for climate-vulnerable communities through community-based and climate-resilient water systems.
Objectives
- Improve access to safe and reliable drinking water
- Establish community-managed water supply systems
- Strengthen water quality monitoring and hygiene practices
- Reduce water-borne diseases and health risks
- Build long-term sustainability and local ownership
Target Beneficiaries
- Rural and peri-urban households
- Women and children
- Schools and health centers
- Marginalized and climate-affected communities
Direct Beneficiaries: 3,000 households
Indirect Beneficiaries: 15,000 community members
Project Area
Climate-vulnerable regions with:
- Water scarcity or contamination
- High dependency on unsafe water sources
- Limited public water infrastructure
(Location to be finalized based on donor priorities.)
Key Strategies and Activities
- Community-Based Water Infrastructure
- Installation/rehabilitation of borewells, handpumps, or piped water systems
- Solar-powered water pumping systems
- Rainwater harvesting and groundwater recharge structures
- Water Treatment and Quality Assurance
- Community-level water purification units
- Regular water quality testing
- Safe storage and distribution systems
- Community Governance and Capacity Building
- Formation of Water User Committees
- Training in system operation, maintenance, and financial management
- Establishment of user fees for sustainability
- Hygiene, Sanitation, and Behavior Change
- Awareness on safe water handling and storage
- Hygiene and sanitation promotion campaigns
- School-based WASH education programs
- Climate Resilience and Sustainability
- Water source protection and recharge measures
- Drought-resilient water planning
- Integration with local water policies and schemes
Gender and Social Inclusion
- Women’s leadership in water committees
- Inclusive participation of marginalized groups
- Reduced drudgery for women and girls
- Gender-sensitive decision-making processes
Expected Outcomes
- Reliable access to safe drinking water for 3,000 households
- Reduced incidence of water-borne diseases
- Improved time savings and productivity for women
- Strengthened community ownership and system sustainability
Key Outputs
- Community-managed water systems established
- Water User Committees trained and functional
- Regular water quality monitoring mechanisms in place
- Hygiene and safe water practices adopted
Monitoring and Evaluation
- Baseline and endline surveys
- Water quality testing reports
- Usage and functionality tracking
- Community feedback and grievance mechanisms
Sustainability and Exit Strategy
- Community ownership and fee-based maintenance models
- Trained local technicians
- Linkages with government water programs
- Long-term operation and maintenance plans
Budget Summary
Budget categories include:
- Infrastructure and equipment
- Water treatment systems
- Training and community mobilization
- Monitoring and evaluation
(Detailed budget to be prepared based on project scale.)
Conclusion
Ensuring safe drinking water through community-based systems strengthens health, resilience, and dignity. This project provides a sustainable, inclusive, and climate-resilient solution that empowers communities to manage their own water resources while delivering long-term social and environmental benefits.
