Mazhapolima, a community-based well recharge programme, initiated by the Thrissur district administration, will be extended to other districts too. The project, launched in Thrissur in 2008, aimed at recharging about 4.5 lakh open wells in the district through community awareness and action. The technology followed by the project was to recharge the wells using roof water harvesting.
“Most of the households in Kerala depend mainly on open dug wells than the public water supply system. But the fast depletion of groundwater calls for replenishment of aquifers, the source of water for the dug wells,” said Jos Raphael, coordinator of Mazhapolima project.
The quality of water in the coastal areas also can be improved by rainwater harvesting, he said.
10,000 wells recharged
The project, initiated during the time of former district collector V.K. Baby, was implemented in 90 per cent of the panchayats in the district. More than 10,000 open wells in the district have been recharged by this method, according to Mazhapolima team.
Now there is a plan to expand the project across the State. In the initial stage the project will be implemented in Palakkad, Ernakulam and Malappuram districts. It will be implemented in association with residents’ associations, co-operative societies, Kudumbasree Mission, and youth clubs.
A one-day workshop will be conducted in Thrissur on July 29 as part of extending the project to other districts. Panchayat presidents from Ernakulam, Palakkad and Malappuram districts will participate in the workshop.
