Category

Enactus

Category

Enactus SRCC has taken a commendable leap towards providing potable water in India. Read more to find out how.

In a bid to tackle the adverse effects of unavailability of potable water in many parts of India, Enatus SRCC has taken a unique approach. They’ve sought to address this problem, by harnessing the talent of indigenous potters whose craft is on the decline. After collaborating with the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research, they’ve come up with an inexpensive clay filter that can be locally made and purchased.

Priced at Rs 550, the filter comprises two clay pots placed atop each other, with two Terafil candles placed in between. Terafil, a solid disc composed of a mixture of red clay, river sand and wood sawdust, serves as the filtering agent. Having a capacity of 15 litres, this filter is particularly useful for treating water polluted by sediments, pathological and biological contaminants and microorganisms, which are commonly found in rural areas. Not only do they help in eradicating water-borne diseases, but also generate income for the potters and are affordable to the rural consumers while effectively countering competition.

The initiative has been put into force in Uttam Nagar in West Delhi which hosts the largest community of potters in India, whose subsistence depends upon their craft. Within a single month, the income of every potter has increased by Rs. 1560. In the coming months, the potters will earn an income of Rs. 6,600 per month, marking an 83% increase from their previous income. For every filter sold, the local dealer who has been identified so as to create an efficient supply chain earns Rs. 75. The filters significantly reduce expenditure on clean drinking water to less than Rs 1 per day. Therefore, Project Asbah has impacted more than 100 lives in one month of operation by providing 15600 litres of clean drinking water and reducing the risk of waterborne diseases.

Within the next year, the society plans to include more potters under Project Asbah. They have also identified 11 villages so far, in order to collaborate with area specific implementation partners to ensure scalability and sustainability.

Photo credits: Enactus, SRCC
Learn more at www.enactussrcc.org

Swareena Gurung
[email protected]