A new system for safe water supply means a better way of life for the women, men and children of Gudipadu Cheruvu, Andhra Pradesh.
In the summer of 2014 extreme drought hit the region, and water scarcity meant long treks to taps with heavy loads to carry back. This is a task usually undertaken by women and girls, and often brings long-term body pain issues and missing school. It also means children five and under are at the highest risk of death due to diarrheal diseases caused by poor sanitation.
Construction began on a sustainable water system for the villagers in October 2016. Several teams at Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham, our university in India, joined hands to complete the work: Amrita SeRVe, Department of Engineering, Coimbatore, Center for Wireless Networks and Applications, and Center for International Programs.
Now the village has a borewell that connects to a main tank and then six smaller tanks. The system’s maximum capacity is 18,000 liters. Through a network of underground pipes, there are 35 communal taps which bring safe water close to people’s homes.
