Drinking Water - A Pit At A Time

http://www.righttowater.info/
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dhanushkodi
http://www.hindu.com/mp/2004/03/06/stories/2004030600010100.htm



"Access to safe water is a fundamental human need and, therefore, a basic human right. Contaminated water jeopardizes both the physical and social health of all people. It is an affront to human dignity." -Kofi Annan, United Nations Secretary-General.

Dhanushkodi lies on one of the southernmost extremities of India, which was ravaged by a cyclonic storm in December 1964. Since then the region was forgotten by the administration, in spite of the fact that it once was a bustling town, connecting Sri Lanka, to India, by a ferry across the Palk Strait. This is a recording from one of the fishing hamlets in the region, where daily existence is a constant struggle. People here dig open pits in the sandy coastline and draw fresh water for drinking. The settlements do not have any sanitation and drainage system. One can imagine what the quality of water would be, under these conditions.

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[garyshouse305]

"Water Crisis - A Solution.wmv" a new hand pump that makes alot of clean water

[aasirulfazil]

@PraveenaSridhar

I too agree with your health issue.

i personally visited this place which is around 100 km from my native

but unfortunately there is no potable and restroom facilities available here

this area is just a place with sand and sea with some tea stalls and bus stop with limited time service

The nearest town is Rameswaram which is about 20 km with better living facilities.

[PraveenaSridhar]

@aasirulfazil Yes! You are partially correct on the fact that its natural and that water level is just 5-8 feet deep. But what you perhaps missed is the fact that not too far from this pit is a fishing hamlet which impacts the quality of water. It may not be directly drinkable yet the people drink this. Second, notice the rate of water collection in the pit. Wonder if people like us would have preferred this mode instead of a piped water supply!

[aasirulfazil]

this is natural spring and available near coastal area in just 5-8 feet depth.