Water Wisdom Foundation
Sustainable water harvesting solutions for desert communities in Rajasthan
In Rajasthan's Dudu block, recurrent droughts, contaminated water, and exclusionary practices threaten lives and communities. Marginalized groups face extreme water scarcity, forcing women and girls to trek long distances daily, limiting their education and opportunities. Despite government efforts to provide piped water, challenges remain: limited access, irregular supply, and discrimination block progress. Children suffer too - poor water quality hampers their health, learning, and future. Our work focuses on bringing sustainable solutions to ensure access to clean water and protect vulnerable communities from the impacts of climate change and inequality.
A Sustainable Water Solution in Rajasthan
Rainwater harvesting offers a vital lifeline for communities around Sambhar Salt Lake. By collecting rain on rooftops and developing ponds and tanks, local families can access safer, cleaner drinking water-reducing reliance on saline groundwater. Since 2013, our partnership with WaterHarvest and local NGOs has empowered marginalised communities through training women to plan and maintain these rainwater systems. This sustainable approach alleviates water scarcity, lowers health risks, eases women's burden, and helps protect the environment-creating a healthier future for both people and nature.
"The organic development and trust between partnering organizations has helped team to continuously learn and innovate. We were able to improve the design of domestic rain water harvesting systems over the 12 years and continued partnership, like improvement in design of 22,000 litre tanks, rain collection gutters, installation of pre filters, handpump to withdraw water from storage tank, no electricity water filters etc."
Transforming lives through rainwater harvesting
Thanks to rainwater harvesting systems, 497 households - covering 2,500 people- now have access to safe drinking water, drastically reducing daily water-fetching distances for women and girls. This has freed up 2-4 hours each day, allowing women to focus on livelihoods, education, and community activities, while also improving their health by reducing waterborne and fluoride-related diseases.
Women no longer carry heavy loads or face health issues like body pain and gastrointestinal problems. Safe water access has also fostered better hygiene practices and community awareness. Many women are now engaged in income - generating activities, leadership roles, and sanitation improvements, empowering entire villages towards resilience and sustainability.
This initiative demonstrates how sustainable water solutions can transform health, economic opportunity, and community well-being - protecting both people and the environment.