Grassroots is implementing an individual and effective approach using technology designed by Dr Tim Rees.  Dr Tim Rees, a British geohydrologist living in India since the 1960s, pioneered an appropriate technology design in the form of an Infiltration Well, which serves as a Protected Intake Structure for drinking water systems.

Tim’s innovation is an infiltration well that collects water from subterranean water capillaries, which are located deeper than the traditonal naulas. The Kumaon Artisans Guild are able to construct the well by hand without the need for heavy machinery.  This makes installation possible and more affordable in the most remote of villages.  Most importantly, These community drinking water systems are operated and maintained by the people themselves.

Over the past decade, more than 55,000 people from 370 communities in far flung watersheds have gained access to enhanced quantities of safe drinking water through adoption of this intermediate technology application.

Grassroots and the communities we work with are extremely grateful to Dr. Tim Rees for his contribution.

Traditionally large saucer shaped holes known as khals would be dug on flat land, acting to recharge the subsurface capillaries feeding downslope Naulas. A Naula is a shallow (2 square meter) structure designed to tap into subsurface water. In recent times, over sixty percent of such traditional drinking sources have become defunct and some naulas provide water for only 3 months of the year.

Communities have contributed 10-20% of the cost and have also been empowered to operate and maintain such facilities without dependence on external agencies.  Monitoring of water quality is also being done through trained local youth equipped with simple field kits.

Local Empowerment

Traditional Systems