Rural Water Supply in Tamil Nadu, India: A Provider-Based Approach

Providing a population with an adequate supply of water is a challenge in many areas of the globe, but is even more so in the lesser developed regions. When looking at existing water supply policies, rural regions have proven more difficult to sufficiently provide for, particularly as supply is shifting to accommodate the high rate of growth in urban areas. This paper examines four different provider-based approaches to rural water supply, from the most individualized to the most centralized, and assesses the viability of each for a rural population in the Virudhunagar district of Tamil Nadu, India. The purpose is to understand the socio-economic and political implications of water distribution, its effects on the local population, the environment, and ways in which it can be improved in the future.

In looking at specific distribution systems, the delivery of water for drinking holds greater importance in this study. Four main categories are distinguished on the basis of who controls supply. These groups are: individuals, private-sector businesses, non-governmental organizations, and public entities. Within these categories, there are ranges in cost, privatization, sustainability, accountability and community involvement. The means of delivery, outside of an analysis of the policy, is another crucial factor and places different stresses on local water tables, rivers, and reservoirs. Specifically, each grouping is broken down and examined based on three fundamental dimensions, where the water comes from, how it is distributed, and what happens to it after use. This set up allows for a critical examination of each category as a solution for rural Tamil Nadu. Emphasis will be placed on the role of women and the community as necessary for establishing a sustainable solution. This research project draws on experience gained in summer 2009, when I worked as a volunteer for ODAM, a community-level Tamil Nadu NGO.