Drinking Water & Sanitation
Through this program the safe drinking Nadi filter technology and low cost latrines are being promoted in more than 50 villages of Jati area Sujawal areas where rural poor communities now have access to safe and clean drinking water and awareness about their health & hygiene. More than 2,500 Nadi filter units and health & hygiene awareness promoted in 50 villages from 2007-Junly 2009 and about 30,000 individuals have now access to safe water in Thatta & Hyderabad areas.
The 22 organized CBOs are working in villages at the average distance from the Jati main city area is about 5 to 25 km away. The rural families are drinking unsafe drinking water and facing many problems to reach near hospital for the treatment purpose. AHD selected area to provide opportunity for the local poor 1,000 families to get together in their village CBOs and learn about the health & hygiene and safe drinking water technique at their household level
Steps process to make Nadi filter unit at any where:
1. A hole is made for the pipe in the side of the Nadi using a screwdriver and a suitable stone or hammer. The bottom of the hole must be 20 inches above the ground. The Nadi should be 32-34 inches tall.
2. A single piece of stiff flexible pipe 30 inch long, 1 inch diameter and with no splits in it is fitted through the hole with one end inside the Nadi touching the bottom. It is put in place and the hole around the pipe made water tight with cement.
3. Potato size washed stones are placed in a single layer one stone deep at the bottom of the Nadi. The gaps between them form channels for the water to flow easily into the pipe.
4. Small washed stones are placed on top filling the gaps between the potato size stones.
5. A thin layer of washed, dhal size gravel is then spread to form a level surface over the small stones.
6. A thin layer of washed seed size gravel in then spread to form a level surface over the dhal size gravel.
7. These drainage layers must not exceed 4 inches in total thickness or there will not be enough room for the main material, the sand.
8. Washed sand is then added to a level 5 inches below the level where the bottom of the pipe goes through the side of the Nadi.
9. The Mutka is taken and a single hole is drilled in it using a 3 or 4 inch nail with a right angle bend in it to form a handle. At first this is difficult work but after a few minutes the hole is made without the need to hit it through with a hammer. Most screw drivers make holes that are a bit too large so a nail is better. The hole should be on the bottom of the Mutka about 4 inches to one side so as not to get blocked too frequently by debris settling in the Mutka.
10. A cloth is tied over the mouth of the clean water storage Nadi in such a way that the cloth is over the protruding pipe. The water should not be flowing onto the cloth at all, as this would re-contaminate the clean water.
11. Once dirty water has been given to the Nadi every day for two to three weeks the filter will function effectively so long as the sand is not disturbed. During this period the water will gradually improve. If the sand and stones were well washed, water can be improved a little by the filter even on the first day.
12. The Nadi for storing clean water should be emptied every three days during this initial period while water quality is rapidly improving.
