ABOUT & CONTACT The Western Ghats represents a beautiful landscape, but the fine- grain basalts that compose the hills make for poor aquifers with very little groundwater. Thus, new wells and lift schemes are being constructed on a daily basis. As a result, groundwater levels are declining, pumping costs are increasing, and conflict between water users is rising. Sustainable alternatives are needed. Natural springs have been a traditional source of gravity-fed drinking water and an important ecosystem element, but the springs are threatened due to construction, ecosystem degradation, and a policy focus on dams and wells. We propose a spring protection campaign to provide safe drinking water and maintain biodiversity. Natural Springs in the Western Ghats: A Vital Resource Under Threat Overview, Best Practices & Policy Recommendations for Ensuring Biodiversity and Sustainable Drinking Water Jared Buono, PhD & Renie Thomas INTRODUCTION In the Satara District section of the Western Ghats there is an extensive geologic formation of ferrecritic (or laterite) rock that sits atop basalt layers – these are the famous Ǯtable landsǯ . Monsoon rainfall infiltrates this relatively porous laterite and slowly percolates down until reaching the impervious basalt where it can move laterally and emerge on the side of a hill as a spring, or join a fissure in the basalt and descend to successive layers even feeding nallas in the valley bottom. In this way the laterite tablelands act as Ǯwater towers’ of the Western Ghats that absorb rainfall and slowly release it throughout the year. The resultant springs provide a vital resource to people and the landscape. The slow percolation of rainwater filters contaminants and ensures a steady supply of perennial drinking water for villages. Moreover it can be gravity-fed to communities reducing energy costs and carbon emissions. The springs are also a unique habitat for native plants and animals. But as focus has been placed on drilling wells and constructing lift schemes, these vital resources have been neglected, constructed on, and in some cases turned into open wells in a misguided effort to increase flow. A new effort is needed to protect and enhance springs. GEOLOGY & BACKGROUND BEST PRACTICES POLICY RECOMMENDATIONS GEOGRAPHIC EXTENT A recent survey of the northern part of Satara District indicated that from one mountain alone seven villages, totaling over 3000 people rely on springs for some or all of their drinking water needs. See the map on the right. Considering the spatial extent of the laterite in the Western Ghats, we can extrapolate that these springs may be supporting hundreds of communities, potentially reaching tens of thousands of people. HOW TO BUILD A SPRING BOX For drinking water, a SPRING BOX is efficient at harvesting water, protecting the Ǯeyeǯ of the spring, and preventing contamination. It should extend above ground and be sealed to avoid surface water and pathogens entering. It can be designed to ensure ecological flow near the spring to maintain habitat & biodiversity. LATERITE CAPS are relatively porous and act as the sponge over the basaltic lava flows holding the rain fall and slowly releasing water out as springs and base flows in the lower channels. MASSIVE BASALT lava flows which underlay the lateritic cap act as an impervious layer. Some layers showing columnar jointing, and fractures transmit the water to the lower layers and reappear as springs on the mountain slopes when they come in contact with compact basalts. TRADITIONAL SYSTEMS used gravity to feed village storage tanks but lack of maintenance, land degradation and a shift to large scale water lift schemes has left springs in neglect. ANATOMY OF A SPRING SYSTEM SPRINGS emerge at the contact of the laterite and basalt (and sometimes lower in stratigraphic column). Many are perennial, flowing up to 2 liters/minute even in the dry season. They constitute a unique habitat. and sustainable source of water. To use a spring as a village drinking water source we recommend a simple yet effective spring box that most masons can construct. It protects the Ǯeyeǯ of the spring, efficiently captures water, prevents contamination, and allows gravity-feeding to village-based water tanks. It can also be modified to ensure ecological flow near the spring to maintain biodiversity of the site. Dug and bore wells near springs can reduce spring flow or destroy them entirely. Buffer distances to protect springs vary but the 500 meter distance outlined in Maharashtra state law should be adhered to. Lateral bores should also be prevented to avoid damaging springs and preventing conflict. Over the last 2 years GRAMPARI has partnered with several communities in Satara District to protect spring systems for both ecological restoration and drinking water for over 500 people. We mobilize communities to design, finance, implement and maintain the projects. We promote an improved spring box design that is efficient, safe and inexpensive, and we implement best practices to recharge groundwater and restore the spring ecosystem. We now hope to expand this program. Using heavy machinery or blasting to Ǯopenǯ springs DOES NOT necessarily translate to higher yield – and may actually decrease flow. In addition, this converts a groundwater source to a surface water source and thus makes it prone to contamination requiring treatment. We recommend leaving the natural spring area intact and using a spring box to collect water and pipe it to a storage tank. Native vegetation should be maintained. Fire, over-grazing, tree cutting and construction should be banned in the area to sustain watershed function. No Exotic tree plantation should be carried out that may reduce the spring discharge rate Grampari (Grameen Va Pariyaavaren Kendra) works to empower communities in rural India through Livelihoods, Governance and Health & Environment programmes. It is an initiative of Initiatives of Change, India – a registered charitable trust that has provided leadership and inner development training in Panchgani for over 40 years. For more information visit www.grampari.org or www.in.iofc.org An improved spring box. An incorrect spring box contaminated by surface runoff. A spring converted to a spring-cum-well. The water is no longer safe to drink Construction and a bore well 50m from a spring reduced flow within weeks. Effect on a spring due to pumping. Fire, tree cutting, over grazing, burning and construction can have a negative impact on the amount of water recharging the springs. A buffer distance for any activity in the immediate watershed of the springs should be considered. Government agencies and NGOs should make springs a policy focus. Laterite caps should be protected in general. These rock formations absorb and slowly release rainfall throughout the year. This feeds springs and also groundwater and base flow in nallas in adjacent valleys. They are the water towers of the Western Ghats and should be treated as valuable parts of the ecohydrologic system. Leaks are a problem and should never be tolerated. Conservation is the cheapest source of water. Our surveys routinely find that up 30% of water is lost to leaks and poor maintenance or construction. A typical leaky pipe. Steps to build a Spring Box: 1. Carefully excavate down to the source. Use only hand tools to avoid damaging the spring. The box should sit on the impervious layer. 2.Construct a brick or cement box around the spring source. Create holes in the back wall to allow water to pass into the box. The remaining walls should be water-proofed. 3.Place a screened outlet pipe at the bottom of the box and an overflow pipe at the top. 4.Fill the space between the box and source with gravel and cover with clay. Seal the top of the box. Laterite location map modified from: Oliver, Cliff D., H.C. Sheth. 2008. The High Deccan duricrusts of India and their significance for the Ǯlateriteǯ issue. Journal of Earth System Science. Volume 117, Issue 5, pp 537-551. Spring box being constructed. The backwall has spacing between the bricks to pass water. On the right, the finished box with a sealed top and gravel packed behind.