Discussion about entry: *Y.C.* Health awareness & micro-utility services through retail distribution of mineral drinking water by women joint liability
Good job on getting water to those in need, I understand that it is often hard to come by clean reliable water. I have a couple questions that I'd like to see more information on in our entry.
1. What exactly is in your water that makes it better for mothers?
2. Where are the majority of people currently getting their drinking water? Are there other brands selling water?
Thanks Jake for your questions, as these are very important issues.I will answer one by one.
1. The water that we provide is having a balanced TDS (say 200 to 250) which is as per WHO norms. The bottled mineral water has a TDS varrying from 20 to 50, which may backfire on the osmoregulatory system and that would be harmful for mothers especially those who are feeding. We also give adequet dosing of minerals without compromising with the taste after RO process to build up the TDS. this helps the micronutrient supply. And as you know Good water itself is the first priority for the mom and the child.
2. majority of the poor people in the area where I am working are getting water from Public Health Division Supply which is often contaminated and the mothers spend half of the day to collect it over a long que and longer distance. Few people sell that water in 20 liters open cans and they charge exorbitantly from the people. Yes other brands of bottle mineral waters are also available but my community people cant afford to purchase it.
3. This water that I am talking about sells at the rate of 20 Indian paisa (0.004 USD) per liter. Open can water sells at INR1(0.02 USD)and bottled mineral water sells at INR15 (0.30 USD).
Please let me know if you have other queries.
Regards
First I would suggest to put all of the answers to the last questions on your main page because the competition will never read the comments section. You want all of the information possible on your idea to be considered.
My question is still what actual nutrients are in the water and how much of each nutrient is there?
My other question is who will produce this water,where will this water be made, and how much does it cost to make?
The prime concern for rural women in global south is general anemia, weak bones and micro-nutrient deficiency like Selenium and Magnesium in lactating mothers. Initially, this is addressed in the supplied water following WHO guidelines; the level range is acceptable as per WHO recommendations and helps in raising the TDS, required value. For Fluoride 1.5 mg/L, is because sugar intake is very low in community in this area, further, this will help prevent dental fragility and infections.
Ans 2) Water is produced by SAFE, a civil society organization working in the Indian eco-region for sustainable development. This water is currently being made at East Kolkata Wetlands, only Ramsar site of West Bengal, and Sunderbans villages from rain water harvesting and surface water resources. Only the production cost is 0.004USD per litre.
Congrats Amirta
I read the story and comments you posted. In india water network is strong. if women can get a share (which I belive will happen with your project) it would really mean empowerment. when politicians in your country are busy with women bill in parliamentary institutions, your effort in grassroot would really mean economic liberation for women.
Great effort. Keep us informed.
Rebeka
Thank you Rebeka! You are right, water network in India is strong and women including teenage girls spend hours in collecting water for the family. For poor, access to clean drinking water is extremely limited and vast population in rural sector as well as in highly populated urban fringes suffers from water borne diseases. In country like India,the very existence of women is embedded in water and as a prime stakeholder she deserves all socio-economic benefits in any water deal. Thanks for understanding it so deeply.
Sweet that sounds great. You are really thinking this out. Just keep putting all of your information up on the main page so they see how thought out this is! Good luck!
Wonderful thought Amrita! Execellent!!
I am really surprised to see the innovation in your revenue generating awareness model. that too in rural curtains. I have one question and that is about the technology. If you are trying it in a very remote area like the Sunderbans or high hills of north eastern states where power is a big deal...how shall you run the plant in a cost effective way? Can it run on solar or wind energy?
Keep up...
Wish you the crown of a changemaker Amrita.
Well, feels so nice to answer such wonderful questions everytime, the planning goes like- wherever power is available, installation cost is low and the cost benefit analysis certifies the price. Where power is not available we install solar system for which installation cost goes little bit on the higher side, but it comes as one time investment, apart from nominal maintenance charges.
Comments
Good job on getting water to those in need, I understand that it is often hard to come by clean reliable water. I have a couple questions that I'd like to see more information on in our entry.
1. What exactly is in your water that makes it better for mothers?
2. Where are the majority of people currently getting their drinking water? Are there other brands selling water?
3. What is the water currently selling for?
Thanks Jake for your questions, as these are very important issues.I will answer one by one.
1. The water that we provide is having a balanced TDS (say 200 to 250) which is as per WHO norms. The bottled mineral water has a TDS varrying from 20 to 50, which may backfire on the osmoregulatory system and that would be harmful for mothers especially those who are feeding. We also give adequet dosing of minerals without compromising with the taste after RO process to build up the TDS. this helps the micronutrient supply. And as you know Good water itself is the first priority for the mom and the child.
2. majority of the poor people in the area where I am working are getting water from Public Health Division Supply which is often contaminated and the mothers spend half of the day to collect it over a long que and longer distance. Few people sell that water in 20 liters open cans and they charge exorbitantly from the people. Yes other brands of bottle mineral waters are also available but my community people cant afford to purchase it.
3. This water that I am talking about sells at the rate of 20 Indian paisa (0.004 USD) per liter. Open can water sells at INR1(0.02 USD)and bottled mineral water sells at INR15 (0.30 USD).
Please let me know if you have other queries.
Regards
First I would suggest to put all of the answers to the last questions on your main page because the competition will never read the comments section. You want all of the information possible on your idea to be considered.
My question is still what actual nutrients are in the water and how much of each nutrient is there?
My other question is who will produce this water,where will this water be made, and how much does it cost to make?
Thanks for your pertinent questions and suggestion.
Ans 1:
The micronutrients and levels range per litre is described below:
1. Iron: 0.3 m.g/L
2. Calcium: 55-65 m.g/L
3. Soduim: 200 mg/L
4. Magnesium: 1.0 mg/L
5. Zinc: 3.0 mg/L
6. Fluoride: 1.5 mg/L
The prime concern for rural women in global south is general anemia, weak bones and micro-nutrient deficiency like Selenium and Magnesium in lactating mothers. Initially, this is addressed in the supplied water following WHO guidelines; the level range is acceptable as per WHO recommendations and helps in raising the TDS, required value. For Fluoride 1.5 mg/L, is because sugar intake is very low in community in this area, further, this will help prevent dental fragility and infections.
Ans 2) Water is produced by SAFE, a civil society organization working in the Indian eco-region for sustainable development. This water is currently being made at East Kolkata Wetlands, only Ramsar site of West Bengal, and Sunderbans villages from rain water harvesting and surface water resources. Only the production cost is 0.004USD per litre.
Congrats Amirta
I read the story and comments you posted. In india water network is strong. if women can get a share (which I belive will happen with your project) it would really mean empowerment. when politicians in your country are busy with women bill in parliamentary institutions, your effort in grassroot would really mean economic liberation for women.
Great effort. Keep us informed.
Rebeka
Thank you Rebeka! You are right, water network in India is strong and women including teenage girls spend hours in collecting water for the family. For poor, access to clean drinking water is extremely limited and vast population in rural sector as well as in highly populated urban fringes suffers from water borne diseases. In country like India,the very existence of women is embedded in water and as a prime stakeholder she deserves all socio-economic benefits in any water deal. Thanks for understanding it so deeply.
Sweet that sounds great. You are really thinking this out. Just keep putting all of your information up on the main page so they see how thought out this is! Good luck!
Wonderful thought Amrita! Execellent!!
I am really surprised to see the innovation in your revenue generating awareness model. that too in rural curtains. I have one question and that is about the technology. If you are trying it in a very remote area like the Sunderbans or high hills of north eastern states where power is a big deal...how shall you run the plant in a cost effective way? Can it run on solar or wind energy?
Keep up...
Wish you the crown of a changemaker Amrita.
Well, feels so nice to answer such wonderful questions everytime, the planning goes like- wherever power is available, installation cost is low and the cost benefit analysis certifies the price. Where power is not available we install solar system for which installation cost goes little bit on the higher side, but it comes as one time investment, apart from nominal maintenance charges.