A non-profit organisation established in 1983 creating large scale sustainable livelihoods
Drinking water Quality Monitoring and Management
(29th, 30th & 31st January 2008 - But do consult the contact details below for future courses)
Introduction
Water, the elixir of life! Alas, today this phrase remains a misnomer. People in several parts of India face an immense challenge to meet the basic needs of water. The crisis is not due to the lack of fresh water as such, but the availability of adequate quality water at the right place and time to meet basic needs.
Every year more than five million human beings die from illness linked to unsafe drinking water and sanitation. Improved access to safe water supply and appropriate sanitation can also improve the economic status, mainly through saving large amounts of people’s time and energy. It is a matter of concern that despite the progress made with water supply, the level of water-related sickness continues to be high. 70-80 % of illnesses are related to water contamination and poor sanitation. Main diseases associated with sanitation-diarrhoea, ascariasis, dracunculiasis, hookworm, schistosomiasis, trachoma, typhoid, paratyphoid, bacillary dysentery, cholera, poliomyelitis, etc are on an increase. These diseases consume a lot of time and money for medical attention and medicines. In India, the economic burden due to morbidity and mortality from these diseases is staggering. The resources saved by improved water supply and sanitation can be used in many economically productive or educational activities.
During the last few decades the national policies have shown increasing emphasis on both rural and urban water supply and sanitation. In terms of physical progress, the achievements have been remarkable. In rural context, however unfortunately these efforts have not been seen to be converted into health benefits and water borne diseases continue to be the dominant cause of morbidity and mortality in many pars of the country. The reasons are fairly very obvious, though water is being supplied; its potability is not being ensured. The lack of Water Quality Surveillance in these areas is acutely brought into focus during the episodes of waterborne epidemics.
Keeping in view of the above reasons, water quality monitoring, surveillance and Management is the need of the hour.
Objectives
• To help organizations understand the importance of Water Quality Monitoring in Water Quality Management
• To Impart Technical Skills on various practical aspects of water quality monitoring and management
• To Promote Surveillance of Drinking Water
Pedagogy
The following techniques would be used to conduct the training program.
· Lectures/interactive sessions
· Group Discussions
· Case studies/Group exercises
· Brainstorming sessions/ Experience sharing
· Training Support materials/ Handouts
· Power-point Presentations
Course Contents
1. Introduction to water quality
To make the participants understand the importance of “water quality” and various aspects related to it like:
· How does water get contaminated?
· Sources of water contamination
· Water quality and human health
· Sources of water
· Why monitor water quality?
· Techniques of water quality monitoring
· Water quality Analysis
· Use of portable water testing kits
· Demonstration and hands on experience on one such kit
2. Field visit to Betwa River for on site water quality analysis by using Field based water quality testing kits
This session is especially designed for the participants to provide details on the use of field based water testing kits and its importance in water quality monitoring at the field level or in remote areas where sophisticated laboratory facilities are not available. This section will also provide information on the participatory approach in water quality monitoring-community based water quality monitoring. Participants themselves will be performing water quality analysis in the field by using these low cost field testing kits. This would give them a first hand experience on water quality analysis.
· Hands on training on sampling and analysis
· Data collection and management
· Interpretation of the water samples analysed
3. Water quality Management
This session will deal with different aspects of water quality management in general. As this is an integral part of water quality monitoring, it would give different management options and solutions to various contaminants whether it is biological, physical or chemical contaminants. This section will also deal with some of the successful case studies and cover the following aspects
· Need and importance of water quality management
· Different techniques of managing drinking water
· How water reaches your homes and offices?
· How is water purified by the civic authorities
4. Visit to a water treatment plant- BABINA
In order to make the participants understand the overall water treatment procedures adopted in a typical water supply system, a small exposure visit will be organized.
Resource Person - Mr. M. MANOJ KUMAR
Manoj has completed his M.Sc. in Environmental Studies and has been working in the field of environment and water for the past 5 years. He has been involved in the Monitoring and management of water based projects of Water Aid, UNICEF and European Union.
Manoj brings with him the following skills in water focussed projects:
DR. ANAND KUMAR RAI
Dr. Rai has completed Ph.D in Botany and has a total of 7 years of experience working in the field of environment. His areas of expertise lie in the fields of Agroforestry, Natural Resource Management, Water Quality monitoring and Management, Air Quality monitoring, testing and analysis, Data analysis and interpretation, Solid waste management, Waste water conservation, Water Conservation techniques, Efficient Irrigation practices, Rain water harvesting, Water quality and related health effects.
Enquiries and Suggestions
If you have any queries or suggestions for the training or nominations, please contact the following:
Telephone:
Juhi Nigam - 0510 2911 368, 0983 9820 689
E-mail: trainings@devalt.org
Development Alternatives
111/9-Z, Kishangarh, Vasant Kunj, New Delhi -1100 70, India
