drinking water safety in schools -...

Drinking Water Safety in Schools (2018) : WSSO, PHED - UNICEF

Drinking Water

Safety in Schools

Drinking Water Safety in Schools (2018): WSSO, PHED - UNICEF

Contents

1. Foreword

2. Drinking water contamination: Health Impact

Water quality – current status

3. District : Purulia

WASH facilities in schools

Field visit report – Para and Jaipur Blocks


Foreword

Water is one of the basic necessities for

sustaining life. On 28 July, 2010 the United

Nations (UN) General Assembly declared the

Human Right to Water and Sanitation as a

human right. So, access to safe, clean and

adequate water as well as hygienic sanitation to

every individual cannot be compromised.

India, the largest democracy in the world and

second in terms of population has a huge

responsibility to provide access to water and

sanitation for all its citizens. According to the

NFHS Survey Report (2015-16)11, 89.9% of

households have improved drinking water

source and 48.4% use improved sanitation

facilities. Govt. of India, has been taking

measures to bridge this huge gap for sanitation

under its flagship programme Swachh Bharat

Mission (G). Whereas, National Rural Drinking

Water Programme, was started to ensure water

availability in terms of potability, adequacy,

convenience, affordability and equity.

Water, Sanitation and Hygiene plays important

role in maintaining the well-being of an

individual. Drinking unsafe water can lead to

countless health problems, especially more

*https://data.unicef.org/topic/water-and-sanitation/sanitation/ 1

http://rchiips.org/NFHS/pdf/NFHS4/India.pdf **

https://data.unicef.org/topic/child-health/diarrhoeal-disease/

evident in the growth of children under the age

of five. Elderly and children are more vulnerable

to changes in their immediate environment and

the effects of inadequacies in WASH facilities

are therefore more evident. Contaminants in

drinking water can either have chronic or acute

effects on the body and in certain cases life

style too. Childhood diarrhoea is by far the

leading cause of deaths in children under the

age of five.

Access to basic WASH facilities in schools was

acknowledged and included in the RTE act. The

RTE 2009 requires that all schools have

Separate toilets for boys and girls

Safe and adequate drinking water

facilities for all children

In addition to that, the Apex court of India ruled

in December 2011 that

It is imperative that all schools must

provide toilet facilities

Denial of drinking water facility and

toilet facility in schools clearly violates

the ruling of Sec 2 under RTE

In 2015 globally, 7 out of 10 people used

safely managed drinking water service,

whereas 2 out of 5 people used safely

managed sanitation services! (UNICEF)* Globally, diarrhoea

claims lives of over

1,400 children every

day or 5,26,000

children per year!!!!!

(UNICEF)**

https://data.unicef.org/topic/water-and-sanitation/sanitation/

https://data.unicef.org/topic/water-and-sanitation/sanitation/

http://rchiips.org/NFHS/pdf/NFHS4/India.pdf


Drinking Water Contamination: Health Impact

The glaring numbers of diarrhoeal incidences

are indicative of the documented cases, but,

several clinical manifestations established

through chronic toxicity go unnoticed due to

lack of proper and timely detection. Arsenic, a

documented carcinogen, shows visible

symptoms only through continued ingestion

of arsenic-rich water. The commonly reported

symptoms of chronic arsenic poisoning

include hyperpigmentation (melanosis),

Leucomelanosis and Keratosis. In some

people, it can also lead to skin and visceral

cancer also.

The box below shows photographs of people affected by arsenic poisoning

Arsenicosis patient photos

Gangrene Leucomelanosis

Bowen’s disease Keratosis (mild)


Though fluoride has been established to have a

role in preventing dental caries, too much of it

can lead to dental (only in children), skeletal or

non-skeletal fluorosis in both children and

adults, due to its cumulative toxicity. Dental

fluorosis is evident in children, results in

mottling of enamel; in severe cases leads to

pitting and discolouration. The acceptable and

permissible limits for fluoride in drinking water

are 1.0 mg/lit and 1.5 mg/lit respectively.

Water Quality: Current Status West Bengal has abundant surface and

groundwater resources. The ease of extraction

of groundwater from shallow aquifers has

resulted in the over exploitation of these

natural resources. Natural rock profile coupled

with uncontrolled extraction of water has led to

water quality problems in the State (Elangovan

and Chalakh, 2006)2. One hundred and four

(104) administrative blocks in eleven (11)

districts (Malda, Murshidabad, Nadia, North 24

Paraganas, South 24 Paraganas, Howrah,

Hoogly, Purba Bardhaman, Uttar Dinajpur,

Dakhin Dinajpur and Coochbehar) in the State

have been detected with very high

concentrations of arsenic (>0.01mg/L) which is

more than maximum permissible limit of BIS IS:

10500 of 0.01 mg/L(GoI)3 (PHED)4. High level of

arsenic in groundwater is attributed to the

hydro-lithological phenomena i.e. the presence

of alluvium deposits by River Bhagirathi.

Map

2Elangovan D. and Chalakh M L . (2006) Arsenic

Pollution in West Bengal 3Report of the Task Force on Formulating Action Plan

for Removal of Arsenic Contamination in West Bengal 4 Data obtained from PHED

Dental Fluorosis

Skeletal Fluorosis (knock-knee and Bowing of legs)

West Bengal map on hydrogeology and

water quality


Forty Three (43) blocks of seven (7) districts

(Birbhum, Bankura, DakshinDinajpur, Uttar

Dinajpur, Purulia, Malda and South 24

Paraganas) are affected by high levels of

fluoride (F) in groundwater (Majumdar et al

2015)5. Fluoride concentration in these seven

districts exceeds the permissible limit of 1.5

mg/lit (IS 10500: 2012). Presence of laterite,

Barind tract and hard rock in these western

districts is the source of fluoride contamination.

Iron is also a major chemical pollutant in those

areas where arsenic is found in higher

concentrations (WaterAid, 2010)6. In West

Bengal, high concentrations of iron can be

found in almost all the districts. Groundwater in

fifty three (53) administrative blocks of four (4)

coastal districts (Howrah, North 24 Paraganas,

PurbaMedinipur and South 24 Paraganas) in the

State is affected by inland salinity. Deposition of

deltaic alluvium in these four (4) southern

districts has resulted in ingress of high salinity in

groundwater sources.

Out of the total 1,04,826 habitations in the

State 24,979 (23.83%) are quality affected (. The

proportion of contamination across these

habitations is: 10,196 (9.7 %) Arsenic, 1,021

(0.97%) fluoride and 13,762 (13.13 %) salinity

affected respectively.

5Majumdar K K, Goyal M K and Chakraborty AK

(2015) Effect of Withdrawal of Fluoride Sources, Promoting Safe Water and Nutritive Diet on Health in a Community Suffering from Fluorosis. 6WaterAid (2010) Drinking Water Quality in Rural

India: Issues and Approaches

Total rural population affected by arsenic: 1.92

crores, fluoride: 74.08 lakhs and Salinity: 1.22

crores

West Bengal ranks among the top five states in

India to be affected by arsenic, fluoride and

salinity (UNICEF, 2013)7.

Bacteriological contamination in drinking water

source/ supply is caused mainly due to

anthropogenic activities. It varies depending on

the sanitary conditions in and around the

potable water sources.

Some elements such as Iron (Fe), Zinc (Zn),

Copper (Cu), Chromium (Cr), Manganese (Mn)

and Nickel (Ni) are micronutrients that are

required for human metabolism but higher

levels are toxic. Whereas, Lead (Pb), Mercury

(Hg), Cadmium (Cd) and Arsenic (As) has no

beneficial role and are positively toxic (INSA

2011)8. West Bengal is one of the 13 states in

India that have heavy metal presence in its

ground water sources (Kumar and Shah)9

7 UNICEF, FAO, SaciWATERs (2013) Water in India:

Situation and Prospects. 8INSA (2011) Hazardous Metals and Minerals

Pollution in India : Sources, Toxicity and Management 9 Kumar M D and Shah T Groundwater Pollution and

Contamination in India : The emerging Challenge. International Water Management Institute.

Rural population at risk


District: Purulia

District Profile

Purulia is the westernmost district of the State

and has a total population of 2.9 million, out of

which 2.5 million (87.3%) is rural. The district

has 20 community development blocks and 3

statutory towns. 17 (85.0%) out of the 20 blocks

are affected by fluoride, which is mainly

attributed to the hydrogeology of the area. The

quality affected blocks are Arsha, Bagmundi,

Balarampur, Barabazar, Hura, Jaipur, Jhalda I,

Kashipur, Manbazar I, Neturia, Para, Puncha,

Purulia I, Purulia II, Raghunathpur I and

Raghunathpur II. The remaining 3 blocks

Bundwan, Jhalda II & Manbazar II are relatively

safe in terms of fluoride contamination.

However, all blocks are affected by iron and

bacteriological contamination.

Map showing location of Purulia district

There are 17 water quality testing laboratories

in Purulia district. These laboratories are

categorized into different types based on the

location specific chemical contaminants. 15 out

of 17 laboratories are fluoride type, i.e. the

laboratories are equipped with fluoride testing

facility, whereas, the remaining 2 are general

type.

List of laboratories with block jurisdiction

Sl. No.

Laboratory Block

Jurisdiction

1 Purulia District Lab Purulia I

2 Bundwan WTP site Lab Manbazar - II,Bundwan

3 Jhalda Aug WTP site Lab Jhalda II

4 Balarampur WTP Lab Balarampur

5 Purulia District Agragami Mahila O Sishu Mangal Samity Lab

Jhalda I

6 Sister Nivedita Old Age Home Lab

Purulia - II,Hura,

7 Co-Ordination Lia Lab Kashipur

8 Jabala Agrani Tarun Club Puncha, Manbazar - I

9 Cheliyama Sub District Lab Raghunathpur II

10 Sirkabad Sub District Lab Arsha

11 Bagmundi Sub District Lab Bagmundi

12 Santuri Sub District Lab Santuri

13 Dubra Sub District Lab Para

14 Jaipur Sub-District Lab Joypur

15 Barabazar Sub-District Lab Barabazar

16 Raghunathpur Sub-District Lab

Raghunathpur I

17 Raghunathpur WTP site Lab Neturia

Potable water quality is tested for pH, turbidity,

Total hardness, Iron, Manganese, Total

coliforms, E. coli, Fluoride (wherever applicable)

and residual chlorine (for chlorinated water).

Android based customized mobile application is

used for capturing the drinking water source

details, carry out sanitary survey, record GPS

coordinate (onsite) and input water quality

results (in the laboratory).


WASH facilities in schools in Purulia district

There are about 4319 schools in the district as per the U-DISE data (2016-17)10. Status of drinking water source

availability (%), sanitation and hygiene facilities (%) in different type of schools, in Purulia district and West Bengal

as a whole have been illustrated in the figures below.

Distribution of different school types in West Bengal

Total no. of schools in West Bengal: 82, 978 Total no. of schools in Purulia: 4,319

Drinking water source availability in all schools

Drinking water source availability in Boys’ schools

Total no. of Boys’ schools in West Bengal: 911 Total no. of Boys’ schools in Purulia: 39

10

U DISE Data for 2016-17 as received from School Education Department

1.1 3.1

95.8

West Bengal

Boys' school

Girls' school

Co-ed school

0.9 2.1

97.0

Purulia

Boys' school

Girls' school

Co-ed school

17.1

74.6

1.5 5.5 1.2 West Bengal

Tap waterHand pump tube wellWellOthersNone

9.8

82.3

2.9

3.4 1.6 Purulia

Tap waterHand pump tube wellWellOthersNone

68.5

26.1

0.9 4.0 0.5

West Bengal

Tap water

Hand pump tube well

Well

Others

None

20.5

76.9

0.0 2.6 0.0 Purulia

Tap water

Hand pump tube well

Well

Others

None


Drinking water source availability in Girls’ schools

Total no. of Girls’ schools in West Bengal: 2,559 Total no. of Girls’ schools in Purulia: 89

Drinking water source availability in Co-ed schools

Total no. of Co-ed schools in West Bengal: 79,508 Total no. of Co-ed schools in Purulia: 4,191

Availability of drinking water sources in schools in West Bengal Availability of drinking water sources in Purulia

51.9 39.6

1.1 6.7 0.6

West Bengal

Tap water

Hand pump tube well

Well

Others

None

14.6

73.0

3.4 6.7 2.2

Purulia

Tap water

Hand pump tube well

Well

Others

None

17.0

75.1

1.5 5.3 1.1 West Bengal

Tap water

Hand pump tube well

Well

Others

None

9.6

82.5

2.9 3.3

1.6 Purulia

Tap water

Hand pump tube well

Well

Others

None

91.7

100.0

99.7

99.4

100.0

97.3

100.0

100.0

97.7

98.9

90 92 94 96 98 100

Higher secondary only

Secondary with highersecondary

Upper Primary with secondaryand higher secondary

Upper Primary with secondary

Secondary only

Upper Primary only

Primary with Upper Primary,secondary and higher…

Primary with Upper Primaryand secondary

Primary with Upper Primary

Primary only

% of schools with drinking water sources

100

100.0

100.0

94.8

100.0

98.8

92 94 96 98 100

Higher secondary

Upper Primary with secondaryand higher secondary

Upper Primary with secondary

Upper Primary only

Primary with Upper Primary,secondary and higher secondary

Primary only

% of schools with drinking water sources

Note: There are no: Primary with Upper Primary,

Primary with Upper Primary and secondary, Secondary

only and Secondary with higher secondary categories

of schools in Purulia


Status of availability and functionality of sanitation facilities in schools

West Bengal Purulia

West Bengal Purulia

82,978 schools

82,764 schools

with toilets

81,641* schools with

functional toilets

4,319 schools

4,319 schools

with toilets

4,315* schools with

functional toilets

School type

No. of schools

Schools with

toilets

Schools with

functional toilets

Boys 911 910 906

Girls 2,559 2558 2,547

Co-ed

Boys

Girls

79,508 79,148 79,296

77,216 78,188

School type

No. of schools

Schools with

toilets

Schools with

functional toilets

Boys 39 39 37

Girls 89 89 87

Co-ed

Boys

Girls

4191 4,191 4,191

3,906 4,084

*Note: While calculating functional status

of toilets, in case of Co-ed schools, highest

value of the two (boys and girls) has been

considered

*Note: While calculating functional status

of toilets, in case of Co-ed schools, highest

value of the two (boys and girls) has been

considered

In West Bengal, 99.0% - Boys’ schools, 88.2% - Girls’ schools, 82.8% (Boys) & 84.3% (Girls) – Co-ed

schools have urinals on premises

In Purulia, 23.1% - Boys’ schools, 77.5% - Girls’ schools, 73.7% (Boys) & 80.8% (Girls) – Co-ed schools

have urinals on premises


Availability of running water in toilets vs functional toilets in schools in West Bengal

* Availability of running water in boys and girls toilet has been averaged in case of Co-ed schools

Availability of running water in toilets vs functional toilets in schools in Purulia

* Availability of running water in boys and girls toilet has been averaged in case of Co-ed schools

99

.6

99

.6

97

.6

98

.6

70

.0

70

.2

45

.0

46

.4

0.0

20.0

40.0

60.0

80.0

100.0

Boys'school

Girls'school

Co-ed(Boys'toilet)

Co-ed(Girls'toilet)

% o

f sc

ho

ols

No. of schools withfunctional toilets

No. of schools withrunning water intoilet forcleaning/flushing

94

.9

97

.8

93

.2

97

.4

28

.2

33

.7

37

.2

42

.2

0.0

20.0

40.0

60.0

80.0

100.0

Boys'school

Girls'school

Co-ed(Boys'toilet)

Co-ed(Girls'toilet)

% o

f sc

ho

ols

No. of schools withfunctional toilets

No. of schools withrunning water in toiletfor cleaning/flushing

Status of hand-wash facility

in schools in Purulia

Boys: 30.8% (12)

Girls: 42.7% (38)

Co-ed: 42.5% (1779)

In Purulia, only 38.6% (1,829)

of schools have hand-wash

facility!

Status of hand-wash facility

in schools in West Bengal

Boys: 73.7% (671)

Girls: 76.4% (1955)

Co-ed: 62.4% (49,620)

In West Bengal, only 70.8%

(52,246) of schools have

hand-wash facility!

Running water in toilets is

available in 57.9%* schools

in West Bengal!

Running water in toilets is

available in 35.3%* schools

in Purulia!


Field Visit Report

The State WASH consultant accompanied by the District Consultant visited 9 schools, for assessing the

availability and functionality of Fluoride Removal Units (FRUs) installed in Para and Jaipur blocks of

Purulia district.

January 16, 2018

Chhoto Irga Primary School,

U-DISE Code: 19141410904

Habitation: Chhoto Irga

Village: Chhoto Irga

Gram Panchayat: Bhowriddhi

Block: Para

School category: Primary

School type: Co-ed

Enrolment: 24 (9 boys & 15 girls)

Fluoride Removal Unit: Present (functional)

Many blocks in Purulia are affected with

fluoride and therefore, UNICEF, collaborated

with IIEST, Shibpur (the then BESU) to install

Fluoride Removal Unit in one of the source-less

schools in an affected block in the district, on a

pilot basis.

FRU was installed at Chhoto Irga Primary

School, based on the technology developed by

IIEST, Shibpur, advocacy support provided by

SATHEE (NGO), site details provided by PHE

Dte., Purulia Division and financial support from

UNICEF, in the year 2011. The unit can treat 15

Lit of raw water per min. Fluoride from

groundwater is removed in two-steps, i.e.

electrocoagulation followed by adsorption

through activated alumina.

Copy of a. Letter from District Magistrate b. Letter from Executive Officer c. Water User Card


To ensure usage of the filter, a voluntary water

committee was formed, headed by the

headmaster of the school. The committee

appointed an operator for operation and

maintenance (O & M) related activities of the

FRU. It was agreed that treated water from the

unit would be shared between the community

and the school administration, provided,

households pay nominal water tariff for

collection of treated water, as mentioned in the

O & M manual developed by the institute.

Initially, the O & M expenses were borne out of

the untied funds available with the Panchayat

Samity, based on the directions issued to the

Block Development Officer, Para block from the

District Magistrate, Purulia. Meanwhile, water

tariff collected by the voluntary water

committee was deposited in the bank account

opened by the committee and kept untouched.

Later, in 2013, Executive Officer, Panchayat

Samity, directed the Pradhan, Chhoto Irga GP,

to take the onus of O & M of the FRU installed

in the school. At present, revenue generated

through the committee is given to the GP and

every quarter an invoice is raised in favour of

the GP, by the committee for O & M and

operator charges. It is important to note that

the monthly tariff which is collected is meager

and is insufficient to run the unit. Therefore, the

GP provides additional funds to run the unit.

The fund available with the committee is kept,

as an emergency reserve in case of any major

break down (of the FRU).

Raw and treated water samples collected from

the site were analysed at the Purulia district

water testing laboratory for fluoride.

Raw water fluoride conc. (mg/lit): 2.65

Treated water fluoride conc. (mg/lit): 2.01

Permissible limit for fluoride: 1.5 mg/lit

Monthly water tariff slab

Members in a family Amount in Rs.

1 – 5 15

5 – 8 20

8 – 10 25

10 – 15 30

Rs. 20 was collected initially from all HHs during

the first month; monthly tariff was collected

from the second month onwards.

Water user card was issued to all HHs interested in

collecting treated water from the FRU. As on date, 31 HHs

collect water from the FRU.


The operator was contacted after the analysis

revealed that FRU was not able to remove

fluoride efficiently. He mentioned that the

Aluminium electrodes have not been replaced

during the past few months. It means, water is

only getting treated through Activated Alumina,

which also seems to be exhausted.

Observations:

1. FRU is still functional. But, optimum fluoride removal is questionable. Electrodes and media

exhausted and not replaced

2. Voluntary water committee is still active and HHs are paying water tariff, however, it has not

been revised

3. Water quality testing of treated water is done once every year

4. Sanitation and hand-wash facility is available within the school premises and is functional

Recommendations:

1. Electrodes and media should be replaced immediately

2. Monthly water tariff may be revised and increased in order to generate substantial revenue to

run the filter

3. Quality of raw and treated water MUST be tested atleast once every 3-4 months and the result

should be displayed near the filter.

Fluoride Removal Filter inside school premises Details of supporting partners


Lipaniya Primary School

U-DISE Code: 19141411101

Habitation: Chhoto Irga

Village: Chhoto Irga

Gram Panchayat: Bhowriddhi

Block: Para


School type: Co-ed


Fluoride Removal Unit: Absent

Consultants briefed head master regarding

drinking water quality analysis, fluoride menace

in the block, locations of water testing

laboratories and also shared the link to Water

Quality Dashboard. They also interacted with

school children and explained about the

importance of water in their daily routine and

hygiene practices etc.

Water samples collected from two Handpump

tubewells located inside the school premises

were analysed at the Purulia district water

testing laboratory.

Handpump Tubewell (1) sample fluoride

conc. (mg/lit): 1.04


conc. (mg/lit): 0.81

Permissible limit for fluoride: 1.5 mg/lit

Observations:

1. Though school was in progress, toilets were locked by the school authorities. Reason: villagers

may use and soil the facility.

2. Drinking water, sanitation (urinals) and hand-wash facilities were available and functional

3. Sanitation facility in the school was constructed with the fund under the CSR of ECL (under

Swachh Bharat Abhiyan)

4. The school had ramp making it accessible to physically-disabled children

LOCKED


Para New Primary School

U-DISE Code: 19141406404

Habitation: Para

Village: Para

Gram Panchayat: Para

Block: Para


School type: Co-ed


Fluoride Removal Unit: Present

Both the consultants arrived at Para New Primary school at 1:00 pm on January 16, 2018. They were

informed by the locals that the school was closed for the day. Therefore, FRU could not be visited which

was installed inside the school premises.

Para Board Primary School

U-DISE Code: 19141406104

Habitation: Para

Village: Para


Block: Para


School type: Co-ed



Both the consultants arrived at Para Board Primary school at 1:15 pm. They were informed by the HM

that the school was closed for the day, as Circle level monthly meeting was convened for that day.

Note: As informed by the HM, Circle wise meeting is held every month (mostly on the 15th) and it is

mandatory that one teaching staff from each primary school attends it.

Water sample collected from Handpump

tubewell located inside the school premises

was analysed at the Purulia district water

testing laboratory.

Handpump Tubewell sample

fluoride conc. (mg/lit) : 1.2

Permissible limit of fluoride: 1.5 mg/lit

Observations:

1. Drinking water (functional), sanitation (toilets

and urinals were locked) and hand-wash facilities

were available

2. Water stagnation near the handpump tubwell

was observed, may impact bacteriological water

quality

3. Sanitation facility in the school was constructed

with the fund under the CSR of ECL (under

Swachh Bharat Abhiyan)


Para Girls’ Primary School

U-DISE Code: 19141406503

Habitation: Para

Village: Para


Block: Para


School type: Co-ed



Both the consultants arrived at Para Girls’ Primary school at 3:00 pm. They were informed by the HM

that the school was closed early for the day.

Water sample collected from Handpump

tubewell located inside the school premises

was analysed at the Purulia district water

testing laboratory.

Handpump Tubewell sample



Observations:

1. Drinking water (functional), sanitation and

hand-wash facilities were available

(functional?)

2. Paper and other waste was dumped behind

one of the classrooms

3. Ramp was constructed making the toilet

complex accessible to physically challenged

children

4. School had its own small kitchen garden with

Spinach and other leafy vegetables grown for

mid-day meal


Dubra High School

U-DISE Code: 19141407902

Habitation: Para

Village: Para


Block: Para

School category: Upper Primary with Secondary and

higher secondary

School type: Co-ed



Both the consultants arrived at Dubra High school at 3:45 pm. They were informed by the school staff

that the school was closed early for the day. On being asked, the staff informed, the School Principal was

not available and all queries can only be responded by the Principal.

January 17, 2018

Chowkibera Primary School

U-DISE Code: 19140902003

Habitation: Chowkibera

Village: Ropo

Gram Panchayat: Ropo

Block: Jaipur


School type: Co-ed


Fluoride Removal Unit: Present (ongoing)

Both the consultants arrived at Chowkibera Primary school at 11:15 am. They were informed by the

school staff that the HM has not yet arrived and so the school has not started.

One set of water sample collected from

handpump tubewell located inside the school

premises was tested onsite to demonstrate to

the community and children.

Handpump Tubewell (1) sample




Water samples collected from two Handpump

tubewells one located inside and the other

outside the school premises were analysed at

Purulia district water testing laboratory.


conc. (mg/lit) : 0.53


conc. mg/lit: 2.02

Based on the PHE Dte. Data, this school has an

FRU. But, the installation work is not yet

complete. According to the school staff, work

was started by an agency and a unit was also

installed. However, since 2015 no progress has

been made.

The filter units could not be seen as it was

installed on the roof top (inside a room) and the

door leading to it, was locked.

Observations:



2. Sanitation facility in the school was

constructed with the fund under the CSR of

ECL (under Swachh Bharat Abhiyan)

3. No running water in toilets

4. Hand-wash facility defunct – no water

5. Passage to the toilets is hazardous to

children – slabs are missing from the open

drainage channels that run adjacent to the

toilet


Raibaghini Primary School

U-DISE Code: 19141603501

Habitation:

Village: Lagdah

Gram Panchayat: Lagdah

Block: Jaipur


School type: Co-ed


Fluoride Removal Unit: Present

Both the consultants arrived at Raibaghini Primary school at 12:45 pm. The gate was locked from the

outside and therefore, could not go inside the school premises, where FRU is installed.

Pundag High School

U-DISE Code: 19140902004

Habitation: Chowkibera

Village: Chowkibera

Gram Panchayat: Ropo

Block: Jaipur

School category: Upper Primary with secondary and

higher secondary

School type: Co-ed



Both the consultants arrived at Pundag High school and discussed in detail about the water quality,

quantity issues in Purulia particularly in Jaipur block, with the school staff. They were informed that

availability of drinking water is a major problem during summer.

Water samples collected from a Handpump

tubewell located inside and a well outside the

school premises were analysed at Purulia district

water testing laboratory.

Handpump Tubewell sample fluoride

conc. (mg/lit) : 1.39

Well sample fluoride conc. mg/lit: 0.80


Observations:



(defunct)

2. Multiple handpump tubewells have been

sunk; one is in use – goes dry in summers

3. Well water is the main source of drinking

water throughout the year – located

outside the school premises

4. Well is open – has no net/ cover. Besides

the risk of bacteriological contamination;

school children are particularly at risk as it

is outside the school premises and any

untoward incident may go unnoticed

5. A toilet complex in the school was

constructed with the fund under the CSR

of ECL (under Swachh Bharat Abhiyan)

6. Another toilet complex was constructed

by fund from DPO, SSM (Purulia)

7. Sanitation and hand-wash facilities had

become defunct due to non-availability of

running water in toilets for cleaning

/flushing

8. Toilet design itself is faulty

drinking water safety in schools -...

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