In Madanayakanahalli Gram Panchayat in Karnataka’s Chitradurga district, schools and anganwadis struggled for years to access clean drinking water. Students, teachers, and mid-day meal cooks were forced to rely on inconsistent and often unsafe water sources, leading to health issues, interruptions to lessons, and additional burdens on already overstretched staff. The problem intensified during the summer months, when water scarcity in the region worsened.

The Citizen Action Group (CAG) identified the issue during a ward meeting, where parents and teachers voiced their concerns. A particular school in the ward became the focal point of the discussion, highlighting the broader water crisis across all schools and anganwadis in the Panchayat.

With no direct drinking water facility at the school, mid-day meal cooks had to fetch water from a distant borewell or transport it using a hand cart from the village RO filter. At times, students themselves assisted in fetching water, missing lessons in the process.

Many children brought water bottles from home, but with long school days, the water often ran out by midday. Teachers reported that students would leave school to fetch water from home, with some not returning at all, further disrupting attendance and learning.

The quality of available water was also a concern. Some children avoided drinking water at school altogether, citing its poor taste, which impacted their concentration and health.

“Children often avoided drinking water at school due to its taste and quality, which affected their health and concentration,” said Sudhavathi, President of the Gram Panchayat Level Federation (GPLF).

Mobilising the community and local government

Recognising the urgency of the issue, the CAG, supported by Ward Members, took the lead in raising the matter. They presented their concerns to the Gram Panchayat Body (GP) and the School Development and Monitoring Committee (SDMC) during a joint meeting, facilitated by Anode Governance Lab.

Anode played a critical role in facilitating the dialogue, ensuring all parents, teachers, ward members, and GPLF representatives understood the scale of the issue and the importance of addressing it collectively. Anode also guided the community through the process of drafting a formal resolution, which would enable the Gram Panchayat to take formal action.

The Gram Panchayat Body passed a resolution prioritising the provision of clean drinking water in all schools and anganwadis across the Panchayat. This set a precedent for action, not just in Madanayakanahalli, but also in the neighbouring Yelagodu and Muddapura Gram Panchayats, both of which subsequently adopted similar resolutions.

From concern to concrete action

When the drinking water issue at the Madanayakanahalli Government Higher Primary School was raised during a CAG meeting, Ward Member GT Rajeshwari committed to raising the matter at the next General Body Meeting (GBM), encouraged and supported by Anode’s Field Coordinator.

To build momentum, the Field Coordinator accompanied Rajeshwari in convening a joint meeting with the GPLF, SDMC, and parents. Together, they conducted a visit to the school, enabling all stakeholders to directly witness the conditions faced by students and staff.

The GPLF stepped up, offering to raise ₹6,000 to purchase a water filter for the school. Inspired by their commitment, the Head Teachers took further initiative, helping to mobilise additional funds to procure a higher-quality filter.

At the General Body Meeting, as planned, Rajeshwari raised the issue. Other Ward Members quickly noted that the same problem existed in many other schools across the Gram Panchayat. This led to a unanimous resolution to provide RO water filters in all schools and anganwadis, with filter capacity tailored to the number of enrolled students.

Tangible results across Gram Panchayats

The resolution led to the installation of new RO filters in five schools and three anganwadis in Madanayakanahalli GP, directly benefiting students and staff across the Panchayat. Inspired by this successful process, neighbouring Yelagodu GP installed RO filters in eight schools, while Muddapura GP equipped 12 schools with filters.

In all, the three Gram Panchayats ensured hundreds of children and staff gained reliable access to clean drinking water, improving health outcomes and learning environments.

To ensure long-term sustainability, the Gram Panchayat established a process of regular school visits to check that filters were functioning properly. During the first year, the filters are covered under a free Annual Maintenance Contract (AMC). After that, the School Development and Monitoring Committees (SDMCs) will take responsibility for funding ongoing maintenance and repairs.

“The issue was first raised about just one school,” recalled Ward Member Rajeshwari. “But once it was discussed at the larger forum, we realised how widespread the problem was and we found a solution for all the schools. This process worked because everyone was part of it.”

Sustaining the momentum

The collaborative approach that led to improved water access across the three Gram Panchayats demonstrates the power of community-led action, backed by responsive local governance.

To sustain this momentum, Anode Governance Lab has proposed the formation of monitoring committees in each Gram Panchayat, bringing together representatives from CAGs, SDMCs, and Ward Members. These committees would be responsible for monitoring water quality, ensuring timely filter maintenance, and escalating any emerging issues.

This community-led monitoring model, first tested through the drinking water initiative, is now being explored for other essential services across the Panchayats, including sanitation, mid-day meals, and school infrastructure.

The experience in Madanayakanahalli, Yelagodu, and Muddapura Gram Panchayats shows that when citizens, Gram Panchayats, and community platforms work together, essential services can be delivered effectively and sustainably.