Balasore: A simple and innovative project of harnessing spring water and distributing it following filtration has ensured supply of drinking water to villagers in the water-scarce tribal-dominated Mayurbhanj district.

The project, prepared by the minor irrigation department keeping natural resources in view, not only addresses the village residents' drinking water requirements in the foothills of the Similipal biosphere, but also caters to the irrigation needs of cultivable lands.

The project's uniqueness is its utilisation of unused spring water at higher elevations.

It uses gravitational force to divert water through pipes to adjacent villages without consuming any electricity or other forms of energy.

Uninterrupted water supply to Kendujhari village under Shaymakhunta block has already benefited 80 families that now get hygienic drinking water.

Alongside, nearly 50 hectares of land is also being irrigated.

"Before this project, people had to walk a kilometre or two through hilly forest roads to fetch water for drinking and household use. Now, they get it at their doorstep throughout the year without using electricity," said former executive engineer of the minor irrigation department's Baripada division, Brahmananda Pradhan, who executed the project.

"Perennial spring water flowing down was being wasted. We are tapping the source by erecting a small check dam. Once collected, the water is distributed through branch pipelines after filtration," he said.

Ward member Chamaya Singh said: "This project has proved to be a boon for us. We are getting drinking water as well as for growing vegetables round the year."

The water is being allotted through societies in respective areas for a nominal monthly fee of Rs 10 from beneficiaries for maintenance, besides a one-time contribution of Rs 100.

Each project costs roughly Rs 10 lakh, said a minor irrigation department official.

Eight such projects have been executed in different villages across Mayurbhanj district by pooling funds under the integrated action plan.

The project also received chief minister Naveen Patnaik's award for excellence and innovation in governance and public service delivery category in January this year for its innovation in helping to solve the drinking water crisis of the villagers of this remote area.