Lessons learnt from the field – Sanitation facilities
Kerala is noted for the early development of its health, sanitation and education services. As a result of this Private latrine facilities are installed in all houses and public institutions of Paravur taluk. European and Indian latrine systems were widely used in the taluk as well as in Kerala. But during 2018 flood the septic tanks were overflowed and completely damaged. It take a lot of time to repair and maintain those tanks suddenly after the flood. Many non-governmental organisations helped the public to re-establish the toilet facilities. Major concern of the public was to repair the toilet facilities while receiving the disaster relief economic support. The overflowed septic tanks resulted in water and environmental pollution. But the health systems take adequate measures to prevent epidemic diseases. Each Panchayat appointed special teams to check the quality of drinking water and riverine water. Proper measures were taken to bring back the water to its former condition. Cleaning activities were done by the communities itself with proper instructions from the Panchayat. After cleaning the wastes were collected and disposed by responsible authorities.
Open Defecation Free (ODF) has been implemented in all panchayat and municipalities in Paravur Thaluk. So, all houses in Paravur Thaluk have toilet facilities. Even though there are 15 houses in Chendamangalam have no toilet facilities.
| Name of the Panchayat | No. of the house without toilets | No. of the house with unhygienic or daimage toilets | No. of the house which have toilets but have not septic tank facilities | No. of the house without toilets soak pit |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alangad | Nill | 80 | 20 | 106 |
| Chendamangalam | 15 | 124 | 25 | 403 |
| Chittattukara | Nill | 75 | 50 | 5500 |
| Ezhikkara | Nill | 222 | 58 | 3009 |
| Kadungallur | Nill | 63 | 65 | 86 |
| Karumalloor | Nill | 58 | 28 | 800 |
| Kottuvally | Nill | 22 | 15 | 2015 |
| Kunnukara | Nill | 56 | 34 | 1819 |
| Puthenvelikara | Nill | 256 | 26 | 1024 |
| Vadakkekara | Nill | 150 | 30 | 4997 |
| Varapuzha | Nill | 10 | Nill | 0 |
Sanitation related data in Paravur Thaluk (Source: Panchayat yearly Reports, Report by VEOs)
Still there are households having unhygienic and damaged toilets in Chendamangalam, Chittatukara, Puthenvelikara, Kunnukara, Vadakkekara and Varapuzha Panchayat. Kadungallur and Kottuvally Panchayat have good sanitation facilities. Some households lack septic tank facilities except Puthenvelikara and Varapuzha Panchayat.
Concrete and ready-made septic tanks are commonly found in Paravur Thaluk. Soak pits are not much common in Paravur Thaluk. Varapuzha panchayat was taken up an initiative and made soak pit facilities for majority of the houses in the Panchayat. But only two households have no soak pit. Chittattukara Panchayat has the most number of houses having no soak pit facilities.
MGNREGS, SBM (Swachh Bharat Mission), TSC (Total sanitation Campaign) Panchayat peoples plan, septic tank maintenance & toilet construction scheme after flood etc. are schemes implemented by Government for constructing or repairing toilets, provision of septic tank and soak pit. TSC (Total Sanitation Campaign) Ernakulam, Health Department, ODF Board etc. were taken initiatives to give awareness in panchayat level about hygiene and sanitation.
