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KRWSA Successfully Implements Solar-Based On-Grid Pumping System in Rural Water Supply Schemes in Tribal Grama Panchayats

KRWSA Successfully Implements Solar-Based On-Grid Pumping System in Rural Water Supply Schemes in Tribal Grama Panchayats
The Kerala Rural Water Supply and Sanitation Agency (KRWSA) have achieved a milestone by implementing a solar-based pumping system in community-managed water supply schemes. This innovative system has been successfully piloted in the tribal areas of Noolpuzha Grama Panchayat in Wayanad District, specifically in the Alathur and Rampilly regions, both inhabited by tribal communities.
Alathur Rural Water Supply Scheme, serving 88 households, and Rampilly Water Supply Scheme, catering to 16 households, were originally dependent on electricity for pumping water. However, due to the tribal nature of the population, they often faced challenges in paying the high electricity charges, resulting in defaults and subsequent power disconnections by the authorities. The exorbitant electricity costs were identified as a significant factor contributing to the failure of water supply schemes in tribal areas.
In response to this challenge, the Regional Project Management Unit in Kannur proposed an experimental initiative to introduce a solar-based pumping system in the most challenging areas, including Alathur and Rampilly. Collaborative discussions were held with officials from the Kerala State Electricity Board (KSEB) and the Agency for Non-Conventional Energy and Rural Technology (ANERT) to facilitate the installation of the solar-based pumping system. ANERT provided crucial technical support, and the solar-based pumping systems were successfully installed in both the Alathur and Rampilly Water Supply Schemes.
The solar power generated by these systems is supplied to the Kerala State Electricity Board, resulting in a significant reduction in electricity bills. The installation cost of the solar-based on-grid pumping system was a mere 6.69 Lakhs. The following table outlines the tangible benefits experienced by the community after the implementation of the solar-based pumping system:
 
Name of the Water Supply Schemes Number of Households Benefited Pump Installed (in HP) Electricity Bill Amount Before (Rs) Electricity Bill Amount After (Rs) Savings on Energy Charges (Rs)
Alathur Rural Water Supply Scheme  
 
88
 
 
5
 
 
3500
 
 
1200
 
 
2300
Rampilly Rural Water Supply Scheme  
 
16
 
 
1.5
 
 
450
 
 
150
 
 
300
 
Benefits of the Installation of Solar-Based On-Grid Pumping System:
  1. Reduced energy charges, ensuring the sustainability of the community water supply scheme in the long term.
  2. Drastically lowered operation and management costs for community-based water supply schemes.
  3. Utilization of solar energy from public building rooftops can further reduce the energy charges for the Rural Water Supply Schemes in the Grama Panchayat.