Suqia launches water projects in Somalia.
Dubai: The UAE Water Aid Foundation, Suqia, under the umbrella of the Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum Global Initiatives, has implemented two projects to provide drinking water to over 90,000 people in Somalia.
Suqia has implemented these projects in cooperation with the Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum Charity and Humanitarian Establishment.
This is one of Suqia’s humanitarian projects to support international efforts to combat poverty and disease by finding sustainable and innovative solutions to water scarcity around the world.
The projects also support the ‘For You, Somalia’ campaign.
One project, in Ufayn in the eastern region of Somalia, included the building of a 300-cubic-metre water collection point near water springs at the foot of a mountain and 600 cubic metre water reservoirs.
The project also included repairing and replacing the three-kilometre pipeline network.
Solar-powered pumps will be provided to pump water from the ground reservoir to an elevated water tank in the town.
The project will make it easier for residents to access potable water, reducing the distance they have to travel to obtain water.
The project will benefit about 50,000 people in the town and neighbouring villages.

Soak pits to address drinking water problem in villages.
Mahbubnagar: Thanks to the foresight of the district administration and interest shown by the people, especially in the rural areas, who took part in digging the soak pits pits and ground water re-charge trenches, across the district last year.
These trenches have been reaping fruits as they help to solve the drinking water problems during this hot summer.
“Last year , we faced drinking water scarcity problem severely as most of the bore wells in our village dried up.
The situation this year has improved as we had built soak pits at every house hold in our village.
We don’t have water problem this year.
All credit goes to the government officials who have created awareness and helped in the construction of soak pits ,” says Balashivudu of Baswaipally village of Devarkadra mandal in Mahbubnagar district.
Soak pits programme initiated with the support of State Government and the district administration have helped in the recharging of ground water tables in the villages,” said Laxma, Deputy Director of Geology and ground water resources in Mahbubnagar.
All this is possible only because of the soak pit programme which has made every drop count.
Among the successful villages which have constructed 100 percent soak pits in the district include Baswaipally in Devarkadra mandal where almost all the 300 households have constructed soak pits.

KMC approaches state Urban Development dept for funds to repair embankment at Palta.
The Kolkata Municipal Corporation (KMC) has requested the state Urban Development department to provide funds to maintain the embankment at Palta where the country’s oldest water treatment plant is situated after the Centre refused to give financial assistance.
Earlier, the civic authorities had approached the Centre to provide funds under Jawaharlal Nehru National Urban Renewal Mission ( JnNURM) to repair the embankment as soil erosion has affected the boundary wall of the 153-year-old water treatment plant.
Repair works will start immediately once the funds are made available, civic officials said.
In every urban local body, this old method is being followed, that is, raw water being lifted and then purified and supplied to individual households with the help of pipes.
In the water treatment plant situated in New Town, raw water from river Hooghly being lifted and then taken to the treatment centre situated 17.5 km away with the help of underground pipes.
The Palta water works was the first station to purify and supply drinking water in Asia.
After the administrative power came under the British Government from the East Indian Company in 1858, plans were made in 1859 to set up the water works but the construction could not be started due to shortage of funds.
The British had selected Palta and constructed the water works because of its geographical position.
The course of the river takes the shape of a semi circle near Palta and so water is purified through a natural process during high tide.

Nashik: Only three water tankers were registered with the Regional Transport Office (RTO) in the financial year 2016-17 clearly stating that the water scarcity situation across the district is much better than the previous years.
The vehicle population of Nashik district grew by seven per cent in 2016-17.
By the end of March 31, 2017, the Nashik RTO has a registered population of 14,63,582 vehicles in its jurisdiction as against 13,65,292 vehicles in March 31, 2016.
However, by the end of March 31, 2017, the Nashik RTO had only 839 water tankers registered with it — only three new water tankers were added in Nashik from April 1, 206 to March 31, 2017.
Senior officials of the RTO attributed the minimal rise in the number of tankers to the good rainfall Nashik region received last monsoon.
The officials added that the rains were pretty good the last monsoon compared to the previous year following which people may not have felt the need to purchase tankers for the water supplying business.
Prakash Nandanware, district water supply officer, said, "Nashik district received good rainfall last year.
However, during its previous year, the rainfall was 63 per cent of the annual average rainfall, following which water scarcity was felt in many parts of the district."
"Taking into account the water scarcity that struck Nashik two years ago, the district administration undertook various measures to ensure that people do not face water shortage.
"While people may be using the services of private water tanker suppliers for functions like weddings, the district administration has pressed into service only 36 water tankers currently — mainly concentrating in Baglan, Yeola, Nandgaon and Malegaon," said the official.

DUBAI, 21st May, 2017 (WAM) — The Board of Trustees of the UAE Water Aid Foundation, Suqia, has held its 10th meeting, chaired by Saeed Mohammed Al Tayer, Chairman of the Board of Trustees.
The board discussed Suqia’s projects, under the umbrella of the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Global Initiatives Foundation, during 2016 and Q1 of 2017.
Suqia has implemented projects to provide clean drinking water for over 8 million people in 19 countries until the end of 2016, in cooperation with a number of leading organisations and charities.
Speaking on the occasion, Al Tayer said, "Suqia is doubling its humanitarian efforts this year to support the Year of Giving initiative, which was launched by His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the UAE, and to carry out the directives of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai.
"At Suqia, we are committed to achieving one of the key objectives set by the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Global Initiatives Foundation, which is to combat poverty and disease by contributing to finding permanent and sustainable solutions to water scarcity around the world.
We do this by conducting research and studies to develop innovative and affordable technologies to help millions of people around the world who suffer from shortages, scarcity, or pollution of drinking water.
We are also committed to providing water to millions of needy people around the world," added Al Tayer.
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