Water use, environmental sanitation and health beliefs and practices, felt needs and preferences : report on an in-depth village study in the Dharwad and Bijapur districts of northern Karnataka

The concentration on technology has often resulted in improper distribution of water across communities, and in the Indian context, the most affected appear to be the scheduled castes and other deprived groups. Therefore the need has arisen for a new approach which considers socio-economic and cultural aspects of rural society in all phases of water and sanitation schemes. This report presents an in-depth village study in Dharwad and Bijapur districts of Northern Karnataka to involve the community at all levels of implementation of an integrated rural water supply and sanitation project. The specific purposes of the in-depth study include: to assess aspects of water fetching and use and sanitation problems by caste, class and gender, and to identify socio-cultural constraints and opportunities for planning purposes. The report outlines the methodology used in collecting information during the in-depth survey, followed by sections dealing with the characteristics of sample villages, practices related to water use and environmental sanitation, problems and felt needs regarding water supply, and finally, knowledge, concepts and practices in respect to the relationship water-sanitation-health. From the specific conclusions drawn, the report recommends that the interests of the whole village should be reflected in planning and implementation, that health and hygiene education is necessary, and that special attention needs to be given to the problems of women from lower caste groups in fetching and storing water.