Technology For Sanitation | Rural Sanitation In India

Introduction

India, a nation of contrasts and variety, is advancing at an unparalleled rate. Nonetheless, behind the gleam of urban progress, a sizable portion of the population continues to struggle with basic necessities. In rural India, a proper sanitation system, rather than the non-availability of it, remains a significant problem. Fortunately, technology is beginning to play a significant role in solving this long-standing issue.

At Give Discover, our aim is to shed light and recognize NGOs that are working hard toward bridging the gaps in rural areas, which is stopping them from getting ahead on the path of development.

The Sanitation Situation in Rural India

While cities may have advanced sewage systems and sanitary amenities, rural India is a striking contrast. A large proportion of the rural population lacks access to adequate sanitary facilities. The practice of open defecation continues, leading to a horde of health hazards, particularly for women and children.

The sanitation crisis concerns more than just convenience; it concerns dignity, health, and quality of life. The sanitation crisis is about more than simply convenience; it's about dignity, health, and quality of life. Here are a few interesting data on the sanitation conundrum in rural India -

Even though they have access to toilets, roughly 73% of rural households defecate publicly.
Almost 12.5 million homes lack access to a drainage network.
Nearly 54% of rural women, including teenage girls, spend an estimated 35 minutes a day obtaining water, which equates to a loss of 27 days' pay over a year.
Nearly 62% of rural Indian families have access to clean and safe drinking water.

Enter Technology: A Beacon of Hope

Technology, often seen as a forerunner of change, is bringing rays of hope to the realm of rural sanitation. Here's how:

Smart Toilets: Innovative, self-sustaining toilet models are emerging. These eco-friendly toilets not only provide a space for personal hygiene, but they also generate biogas or compost, providing a long-term solution to many other challenges such as energy depletion and pollution.
IoT-Based Monitoring: The Internet of Things (IoT) is making its mark in sanitation. Sensors and data analytics help monitor toilet usage, cleanliness, and maintenance needs in real-time.
Mobile Apps: Very simple yet effective mobile apps such as the ToiletSeva app are connecting people to nearby clean and safe sanitation facilities.
Bio-Toilets: Thanks to tech and research giants that are coming up with bio-toilets, which are being installed in many places, including trains, which convert human waste into gas without much use of water.

The Impact of New Technologies For Sanitation

In today’s world, there is no sphere of life that is not touched by technology – sanitation included! The amalgamation of technology and rural sanitation is much beyond convenience; it is an intense, and much-needed transformation that touches several aspects of life. Here are some of the ways in which better sanitation impacts us in various ways:

Better water and sanitation facilities directly translate to better health outcomes. The availability of clean and safe sanitation facilities considerably reduces the spread of diseases, improving overall public health.
Whether it is about taking a bath during regular days or using the toilets during their cycles, women and girls benefit from private, secure toilets, which enhance their safety and dignity.
Apart from being good for the people, it is also good for the environment. Eco-friendly sanitation solutions reduce pollution, save water, and promote responsible waste management
Better sanitation can lead to higher agricultural productivity, reduced healthcare costs, and a healthier and more productive workforce.
When children have access to proper sanitation facilities in schools, their drop-out rates will also drastically come down.

NGOs - A Beacon Of Hope For Improvement In Rural Sanitation

Our NGOs at Give Discover, are truly a beacon of hope – bringing about the positive change in the society that we need. Whether it is education, healthcare, or sanitation, these NGOs are always standing guard, to help the downtrodden and underprivileged get a meaningful and dignified life. Let's dig deeper into the role of NGOs in improving sanitation in rural areas:

Generating Awareness: To educate rural populations about the need for sanitation and hygiene, NGOs run massive awareness programs. To successfully spread the message, they hold seminars, and health camps, and engage local leaders. For decades, a few NGOs have been operating awareness campaigns, reaching millions of people across India with the message of sanitation and clean toilets.
Constructing Toilets: One of the most conspicuous tasks of NGOs is the construction of toilets and other necessary sanitary infrastructure. They design and install toilets that are appropriate for local conditions, frequently incorporating community members in the construction process to establish a feeling of ownership. Some NGOs have successfully built thousands of toilets in rural regions, increasing sanitation and eliminating open defecation.
Technology Implementation: NGOs are embracing technology to enhance project administration and monitoring. They follow project progress via data collecting technologies, mobile applications, and GPS, ensuring that resources are spent properly. Sometimes, NGOs employ cutting-edge technology, such as smartphone applications, to follow toilet building, maintenance requirements, sanitation behavior change programs, etc., in real-time.
Collaborations: NGOs partner with government agencies, corporations, and international organizations to pool resources and expertise for a more significant impact. Some NGOs that work at an international level collaborate with local NGOs and financial institutions to provide access to safe water and sanitation in India.
Capacity Building: Local communities are empowered by NGOs who provide training in toilet building, maintenance, and waste management. This ensures that sanitation solutions are sustainable. Some programs encourage skill development in other ways, boosting women's employment and sanitation at the same time. For example, some teach rural women to become masons so they may construct toilets in their communities.
Monitoring and Evaluation: Strict monitoring and assessment methods ensure the success of sanitation programs. NGOs utilize data to measure the effectiveness of their projects and make required improvements. To track the development and effect of sanitation projects across India, NGOs use a sophisticated monitoring and evaluation methodology.

NGOs That Are Improving Rural Sanitation in India!

WASH Institute: WASH Institute is dedicated to making water, sanitation, and hygiene education better for everyone. Their initiatives aim to improve sanitation practices in rural and urban communities, promoting health and well-being. The Ministry of Drinking Water and Sanitation has designated the WASH Institute as a national essential resource center. It has been giving technical assistance to ensure the successful implementation of pilot programs under the "Swachh Bharat Mission".
Pinkishe Foundation: Ghaziabad-based Pinkishe Foundation is a force for women's empowerment and social change. They work to address sanitation issues that particularly affect women and girls, ensuring their dignity and safety. Their mission is to reduce period poverty through advocacy, campaigning, open conversations, promising menstrual literacy, and assisting in the accessibility and affordability of sustainable and ecologically friendly menstruation products.
Financial Inclusion Improves Sanitation And Health Society: The Financial Inclusion Improves Sanitation And Health Society (FINISH) Society, founded in 2010, promotes accessible and sustainable water, sanitation, and hygiene services. They focus on the link between finance, sanitation, and health. Their innovative approaches bring financial services to marginalized communities, fostering improved sanitation and well-being. Its main goal is to provide tailored solutions that make these essential services more accessible, which will improve people's health and general quality of life.
Watsan Envirotech Private Limited: Watsan Envirotech is at the forefront of sustainable sanitation solutions. They develop eco-friendly technologies to manage wastewater and solid waste, contributing to cleaner environments. Their goal is to leverage technology to deliver low-cost, high-quality drinking water and sanitary solutions. Their innovative natural water purifiers do not use power to filter water and also do not waste water during the purifying process.
Garv Toilets: Garv Toilets is on a mission to eliminate open defecation. They design and build public toilets, bringing dignity and improved sanitation to underserved communities. Working on the concept of IoT, they have created a toilet design that is extremely durable, uses cutting-edge technology, and is self-sustaining in terms of energy consumption and waste management. These toilet blocks include many innovative add-ons such as solar power, LED lighting, effective ventilation, sanitary pad vending machines, disability-friendly access with handrails, as well as wastewater recycling systems.

During the course of time, there have been several developments that have stepped up the situation of sanitation in rural India. Even though there has been progress, solving the problems calls for a multidimensional approach that incorporates various people and organizations.