WinterWaterProject

Winter Water Project

Due to extreme cold conditions between December and March, when the minimum temperature drops to -20C to -30C in the upper reaches of the Himalayas, supply of water to individual homes stops, through the regular piping network. Currently inhabitants of such regions get a very limited amount of water every day during winter from hand pump or from streams and which they then transport carrying heavy jerry cans on their backs and walking for long distances, slipping over snow and ice, back to their homes.

Issues related to lack of water in winter

Risk of injury for the residents and long-term back problems including children, women, the elderly who carry the heavy jerry cans from source to home over snow covered slippery slopes.
Schools and other educational institutions close down, adversely effecting education and in general the overall family lifestyle.
Sanitation & hygiene challenges in hospitals and healthcare centres due to a lack water.
Virtual shutdown of economic activity in winter months which results in.

Absence of winter tourism despite the regions’ natural beauty in these months.
Loss of income/reduced employment as commercial establishments including local eateries, hotels & homestays shut down due to reduced demand.

Goals & Objective

To supply at least 200 liters of water per day to each home through the winter months.
To ensure adequate and direct supply of water to the hospitals.
To ensure businesses, schools and other establishments/institutions don’t have to close during the winter season due to scarcity of water.
To ensure that the health of the inhabitants is not adversely affected due to carrying of heavy loads and due to lack of proper sanitation.

Project Resources